WELCOME TO THE SENSE OF PLACE LEARNING WEBSITE
Margaret and Paula Build Community Mandalas at the Three Rivers Arts Festival
Sense of Place Learning, LLC (SPL) provides educational programs designed to inspire learning through inquiry-based, interdisciplinary, place-based projects and activities. We strive to raise the awareness, knowledge and appreciation of the unique ecology, history, heritage and artistic works intrinsic to specific locales. Our educational programs, services and materials are developed to enhance local residents’ sense of self, community pride and civic engagement.
SPL News
SPL is working on some exciting projects. Below you’ll find descriptions and links to learn more…
BUG CAMP Curriculum
Do you remember chasing fireflies, catching caterpillars, and watching working ants in fascination? Nothing could be more interesting, exciting, and inspiring to young children than the natural world right outside their own back doors. Now, you can invite your preschool through school age children on a journey of nature exploration and discovery by learning all about bugs – and so much more!
Check ou the “BUG CAMP CURRICULUM” tab above to learn more. We’ll be posting updates as we get ready to launch our new curriculum this spring!
Rachel Carson Forum: Creating Healthy Places to Live, Learn and Play
This day – long conference and workshop addresses four topics essential to providers of early learning for children in early childhood education programs, nursery and kindergarten facilities whether they are privately or publicly operated. Phil Boise, author of Go Green Rating Scale, and Jane Houlihan, Senior Vice President for Research at the Environmental Working Group will offer plenary keynote remarks; a panel will address merging environmental best practices and quality initiatives for child care providers, and there will be interactive workshops on four topics: Setting administrative policies for green operations; Preventing children’s exposure to toxics indoors and outdoors; Environmental cost-efficiency; and Curriculum and best practices in teaching young children about the environment. The Rachel Carson Institute partners with Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children (PAEYC) and Sense of Place Learning, Inc. to present this Rachel Carson Forum.
Sponsorship opportunities are available: contact Patricia DeMarco at (412) 365-2702.
Northside Songs
In April and May 2011, nearly 100 third, fourth and fifth grade students at Pittsburgh Manchester K-8 participated in an innovative project celebrating neighborhood history through music and art. Sense of Place Learning introduced students to the history, heritage, ecology and folk music of Pittsburgh’s Northside. Students wrote their own songs, too, and learned about audio recording with the good folks from Saturday Light Brigade . With SLB’s help, the students recorded their songs and each received a CD of Northside Songs. You can follow SLB’s link to Neighborhood Voices to hear the songs and see more photos of the kids.
Sense of Place Learning and Saturday Light Brigade hope to implement this concept at schools and community organizations across western PA. We’re calling it “Neighborhood Songs” and we’d love to celebrate the history, heritage, ecology and arts of your neighborhood! If you’re interested in booking a program, please contact Paula at 724.838.7151.
