Young Bioneers

The following tours and learshops were offered to Young Bioneers in 2011.

** ATTENTION 7TH - 12TH GRADE STUDENTS & TEACHERS **

Youth Day at GLBD, Friday, October 14
8:00 AM arrival - 3:05 PM departure

Take advantage of this experiential eco-learning opportunity.

We welcome groups and individuals to register for the conference. Groups are limited to 10 students and 2 teachers per school or youth organization.

Special discount cost: $5 per student (includes tour, lunch and two youth learnshops) and $40 per teacher. Other teachers who wish to attend are welcome at the same discount price of $40 per day. We ask you to attend the afternoon plenary sessions on Friday. Teachers will find both plenary speakers, present via satellite, and local learnshop sessions relevant to their work.

CEU's: available through Marygrove College- $20. For more information contact: ec@marygrove.edu or (313) 927-1692.

Registration for Youth Day: Request a registration form from Paula Cathcart at paulacathcart@comcast.net. Because we can accommodate 160 students, registration will be on a first registered/paid first served basis. Detailed information will be sent with the registration form.

Teachers need to seek parental approval and make transportation arrangements to and from the conference for the students.

Youth Participating in Conferences

Young Bioneers

SCHEDULE

Morning Tours - (See Tours)

FRIDAY YOUTH LEARNSHOPS

Students and teachers have the opportunity to participate in two learnshops.
12:35 to 1:35 PM and 1:40 to 2:40 PM

Y1. WWGD - What Would Gandhi Do?
Presenter: Shawn Kimmel, a community social justice activist and gardener since he was a teenager, supports community-driven solutions to current problems.

Imagine what wisdom Gandhi might bring to the streets of Detroit if he were alive today. Find out how his nonviolent teachings might shape our responses to problems in our schools and communities.

Y2. "Act to Improve Your Community: Learn to Create Your Own Solutions"
(Attendance at morning tour not required to participate.)
Presenters: Blair Evans is Founder and CEO of Evans Solutions, Inc. and Founder and Superintendent of Blanche Kelso Bruce Academy (BKBA) and Incite Focus Program Director. Josh Best is a BKBA Experiential Learning Facilitator and Fab Lab Coordinator. Susan Matous is BKBA Career Exposure Coordinator, Certified Teacher, Permaculture Design Certified, and Fab Lab User and Facilitator.

Students will learn how to utilize and maintain the shelter, aquaponics, and appropriate technology tools that were built in the morning session. Students will examine how these tools can be utilized to apply local solutions to local needs by using local resources as well as how they too are an important resource to helping their local communities.

Y3. "Youth Leadership, the Arts, Justice and Activism"
Presenter: Lottie V. Spady, is with East Michigan Environmental Action Council's Remedia Program which teaches youth to express their environmental concerns and take informed action through the use of film.

Here is a chance to express your environmental concerns and take action through the use of film by working with others to create a short Public Service Announcement to run on Facebook or YouTube.

Y4. "Finding Our True Voices - Power in Song Writing"
Presenter: Joe Reilly is a singer, songwriter, and educator who uses songwriting and creative expression as a vehicle for connecting youth with their true selves.

Be ready to cultivate and share your voice in support of healthy and sustainable lifestyles. Joe will engage you and others in creating a collective song. No songwriting experience necessary. Please bring a notebook or paper for writing.

Y5. "Undoing Racism in Metro-Detroit: A Youth Perspective"
Presenters: Deb Williamson, who is the manager of youth programs and community initiatives for Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion, and leaders from the Regional Youth Diversity Leadership Council.

If two heads are better than one, imagine the energy for good of an entire metro region full of beautifully diverse and powerfully united youth. Share your perspective. Learn from the perspective of others. Be a part of this new regionalism.

Y6. "Become a Bio-Engineer"
Presenter: Kathy Harwood Long is an Elementary Teacher at Upland Hills School.

Join Kathy on an experiential tour of Marygrove's campus. Explore the habitat and who lives there. Understand the ecosystem and discover how to enhance it through bio-engineering.

Y7. "Green Map Your Community"
Presenter: Deanne Bednar, Strawbale Studio Natural Building & Sustainable Living Skills, is an Art & Sustainable Futures Educator who teaches people how to make real buildings out of local natural material.

Create a Green Map of your community by identifying the ecological and cultural places that make your neighborhood wonderful and earth-friendly. Envision what you would like to see in the map as well -- good biking paths, a local garden or park, a special tree, place of worship, or earth-friendly business, etc. Prepare by creating a map of the area around your neighborhood or school.

Y8. "City Chickens"
Presenters: Both Diane Van Buren and Helen Broughton are veteran hen-raisers in Detroit. Both enjoy sharing their experiences and helping others enjoy and benefit from raising chickens successfully.

What's all the clucking about? The "City Chicken" movement is growing. Learn to raise chickens in the city. Learn types of chickens best suited to urban environments, feeding and care responsibilities, resources, supplies, and rodent control. This interactive session will include the handling of live chickens.