Environmental Literacy in RI

15 Minute Field Trips ™ is the brain-child of Melissa Guillet. Melissa became a URI Master Gardener in 2011 and was involved in the pilot Eco-Exploration Camp. She was also in ASRI's pilot Schoolyard Science for an Urban Eco-System and was named Environmental Educator of the Year in 2012. She started and maintains a school garden where she teaches interdisciplinary art (art including science, math, and literacy). She continues to be recognized for her program development and dedication to environmental literacy, speaking at the RI Environmental Education Association's annual meeting on STEM to STEAM enactment in 2013, presenting and workshopping "Art & Design to Engage Kids in STEM Subjects" at the New England Association of Technology Teachers 2014 conference, presenting on how to start and maintain a school garden at the 2015 "School Gardens 101" conference at RIC, and has received multiple recognition awards from the East Providence School Department. She has developed her programming over years working with elementary students and started an Eco-Warrior program to encourage environmental leadership at home.  She's ready to take her programming state-wide, with vouchers for every elementary school in Rhode Island to choose how they want to include environmental literacy in their schools, including science kits, customized school garden plans, lessons, and mentorship.  Schools can choose to focus on healthy eating, biodiversity, pollinators, insects, animal adaptations, native plants, creating habitats, and more!  Her website, 15minutefieldtrips.blogspot.com and Youtube channel 15 Minute Field Trips further supports this learning.  Money will pay for materials for each of the 195 schools, cost of running program, promotion of programs, creation of more videos, and living expenses for Melissa so she is able to implement these programs full time.  There are so many organizations that support environmental literacy.  Melissa collaborates with them regularly and will be a liason to help get them and this programming into every RI elementary school.  Watch our video to see the joy on the kids' faces and watch RI to see how our biodiversity will grow along with our learning! #GFMtoSchool