Clash of the Gods: Beowulf

H2 Programming:
Tuesday, March 19, at 8/7c

The epic poem Beowulf is one of the most widely read works in the English language. Clash of the Gods: Beowulf explores the significance of this literary classic, investigating how and why this tale of heroism has been so widely read for generations. This one-hour episode traces the central events in the poem as Beowulf and his warriors are pitted against an increasingly challenging series of foes. Radiocarbon testing, archaeological explorations and careful analysis have unearthed new information regarding the context in which the story was created. Did a mead hall much like Heorot, the gathering place for warriors, actually exist? Did a hero much like Beowulf once lead the Geats? This program examines these new dimensions to the Beowulf epic and provides an excellent visual companion to this landmark text.

Curriculum Links:
Clash of the Gods: Beowulf would be useful for History, English Literature and Global Studies courses, and for course units on mythology and literary theory. It is appropriate for 8th grade students and above.

View the teacher's guide. 

Civil War Ends April 1865

April 1865
Friday, March 22, at 8am/7c

After four years of intense conflict, the Civil War finally came to an end in April of 1865. In just one month, the city of Richmond fell, General Lee embarked on his harrowing retreat and the Confederates surrendered at Appomattox. The nation was shocked just a few days later when President Lincoln was tragically assassinated. April 1865, a two-hour documentary based on the bestselling book by historian Jay Winik, traces this critical month in American history, capturing the concluding days of the Civil War.

Curriculum Links:
This documentary will be very useful in U.S. History, Government and Political Science courses. It is suitable for 8th grade students and above, including community college.

View the teacher's guide.

View a special Civil War interactive.

Learn more about the Civil War on History.com. 

Women's History Month

HISTORY® features Women's History Month programming and online content Every March, classrooms and communities observe Women's History Month, which highlights women who have shaped our world. HISTORY Classroom and History.com feature video clips and other resources for Women's History Month activities. Visit us online at http://www.history.com/topics/womens-history-month to view these resources. You can also find valuable background information and video clips on the BIO women's history site, located online at http://www.biography.com/womens-history/index.jsp. View a timeline of women's history.

Monticello: Jefferson Postcard Contest

Calling all teachers and students! Monticello and HISTORY® invite you to participate in a digital art-based project that encourages students to connect Jefferson with their hometown. Entries must be received by Friday, April 26, 2013. The contest includes $10,000 in prize money and a chance to have your work featured on Monticello's website.

Find contest guidelines and submission details here.

Questions? Email education@monticello.edu using the subject "Postcard Project"

Additional Opportunity for Teachers: Check out Monticello's Barringer Research Fellowship, a two-week onsite summer fellowship where teachers conduct research and create new learning resources to share on Monticello's digital classroom. Applications are due March 15. Find out more at http://www.monticello.org/site/research-and-collections/barringer

Spring Break at the Shakespeare Theatre

Shake Up Your Spring Break on Barracks Row

Spring Break Activities sponsored by the Shakespeare Theatre Company

Each day of the DCPS spring break (April 1–5), the businesses on Barracks Row are offering fun, creative and FREE activities for kids. Sign up for one, two or all of the offerings. Each activity will last only an hour or two, so there is still plenty of time to sleep in, hang out with friends and relax.

SESSIONS ALMOST FULL - REGISTER NOW!

Sign Up!

Art Museum of the Americas

Port Discovery Spring Break Fun

Spring Break FUN for Everyone!

March 25 - April 7, 2013

  

  

  

Follow the Yellow Brick Road to Port Discovery Children's Museum for two weeks of Spring Break FUN, March 25th through April 7th!  

Enjoy live performances, special programs dedicated to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), and our new traveling exhibit, The Wizard of Oz Children's Educational Exhibition!  

The Museum will be open until 5 pm every day during Spring Break.

Monday, March 25th

• Wild Life Adventures: 11 am - 1 pm
• Kamishibai Story Time: 1 pm
• Sound Sandwiches: 1:30 pm - 4 pm

Tuesday, March 26th 

• Pop Up Science: 10:30 am
• Science Labs: 12 pm, 12:30 pm, 1 pm, 1:30 pm, 2 pm, 2:30 pm
• Chapel Hill Sensations Performance: 12:30 pm
• The Science of Theremins: 2 pm - 4 pm
• Toddler Science - Garden Critters: 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Wednesday, March 27th - NanoVention Convention

• 3D Imaging - See in 3D: 10 am - 12 pm
• Talking About Tots Parent Workshop: 11 am
• The Future of Nanobots: 11 am - 3 pm
• Be a Nanoscientist: 11 am - 3 pm
• Vibrobot Workshop: 11 am - 3 pm
• Nano Product Demonstrations: 11 am - 3 pm
• Nano for Littles - Moving Molecules: 1 pm - 3 pm
• Wild Life Adventures: 1 pm - 3 pm
• Make a Color Changing Bracelet: 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Thursday, March 28th

• Visit with National Wildlife Federation: 10 am - 1 pm
• Family Fun with White Marsh Mall: 10 am - 1 pm 
• Toddler Science - Diffusion Butterflies: 10 am - 12 pm
• Pop Up Science: 10:30 am
• Science Labs: 12 pm, 12:30 pm, 1 pm, 1:30 pm, 2 pm, 2:30 pm
• Exploration Station - Erupting Volcanoes: 1 pm - 3 pm
• Make Your Own Sound Cup: 2 pm - 4 pm

Friday, March 29th

• Family Fun with The Mall in Columbia: 10 am - 1 pm
• Alice in Nanoland: 11 am and 1 pm
• Exploration Station - Erupting Volcanoes: 11 am - 1 pm
• Wild Life Adventures: 1 pm - 3 pm
• Pop Up Science: 3 pm, 3:30 pm

Saturday, March 30th

• Art Ala Cart: 10 am - 1 pm
• The Bubble Fairy: 11 am and 1 pm
• Pop Up Science: 11 am; 11:30 am
• Wild Life Adventures: 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
• Journey to the IMAGInation Magic Show: 12 pm and 1 pm
• Exploration Station - Hoop Gliders: 2 pm - 4 pm

Sunday, March 31st

• Maryland ZooMobile: 1 pm, 2 pm
• Mother Goose on the Loose: 1:30 pm
• Jingle Jangle Music Time: 2:30 pm, 3:15 pm, 4 pm
• Kamishibai Story Time: 3 pm and 4 pm  

Monday, April 1st

• Maryland ZooMobile: 11 am and 12 pm
• Art Ala Cart: 2 pm - 4 pm

  

Tuesday, April 2nd

• Sid the Science Kid Movie Giveaways: 10 am (While supplies last.)
• Squishy Circuits: 11 am - 2 pm
• Pop Up Science: 11 am, 11:30 am
• Activities with the National Electronics Museum: 11 am - 2 pm
• Make Your Own Sound Cup: 11 am - 1 pm
• Science Without Sight: 11 am - 2 pm
• Toddler Science - Garden Critters: 1 pm - 3 pm

Wednesday, April 3rd

• Small Wonders Science Time - Gummy Capsules: 10 am - 12 pm
• Visit with the National Wildlife Federation: 10 am - 1 pm
• Wild Life Adventures: 1 pm - 3 pm
• Exploration Station - Erupting Volcanoes: 1 pm - 3 pm
• The Science of Sound - Make Your Own Sound Cup: 1 pm - 3 pm

Thursday, April 4th

• Make Your Own Sound Cup: 10 am - 12 pm
• Family Activities with Robinson Nature Center: 11 am - 2 pm
• Pop Up Science: 11 am, 11:30 am
• Toddler Science - Diffusion Butterflies: 1 pm - 3 pm
• Exploration Station - Erupting Volcanoes: 1 pm - 3 pm
• Sound Sandwiches: 1 pm - 3 pm

Friday, April 5th

• Family Fun with Towson Town Center: 10 am - 1 pm
• Iridescent Art: 10 am - 1 pm
• Alice in Nanoland: 11:30 am
• Pop-Up Science: 1 pm; 2:30 pm
• Wild Life Adventures: 1 pm - 3 pm
• The Bubble Fairy: 2 pm - 5 pm

Saturday, April 6th  - Healthy First Saturday

• UMBC Health Fair: 10 am - 1 pm
• Art Ala Cart: 10 am - 1 pm
• Pop Up Science: 11 am; 11:30 am
• Cook and Tell with McCormick: 12 pm, 1 pm, and 2 pm
• Middle Eastern Movement: 12 pm, 12:30 pm
• KinderFit! with the Kindersinger: 1:30 pm, 2 pm
• FIDOS for Freedom: 2 pm - 3 pm

Sunday, April 7th

• Journey to the IMAGInation Magic Show: 1 pm, 2:30 pm
• Mother Goose on the Loose: 1:30 pm
• Jingle Jangle Music Time: 2:30 pm, 3:15 pm, 4 pm
• Kamishibai Story Time: 3:30 pm

For more information, visit www.portdiscovery.org.

FREE ANSWERS IN GENESIS SEMINAR

April 5-7, 2013. Answers in Genesis will be coming this spring to Centreville Baptist Church in Centreville, Virginia, for a free conference. Ken Ham and creation geologist Dr. Andrew Snelling will be offering a variety of sessions that will help you defend the Christian faith, answer the critics, train your family, and preach the gospel in a secular world. To reach public school, Christian school, and homeschooled students, the weekend includes special Student Sessions for both grades K-5 and grades 6-12. There will also be a variety of general sessions for all. (Younger children are welcome at the general sessions if accompanied by a parent; limited free childcare for nursery to age 4 will also be available.) View the complete conference schedule and download a conference brochure at http://www.answersingenesis.org/outreach/event/Centreville2013. 

Maryland Day Celebration

Our 6th Annual Maryland Day Celebration will be held on March 22, 23, and 24, 2013. We look forward to seeing you there!  

Fun-filled festival highlighting the uniqueness of the Four Rivers Heritage Area. Local cultural and heritage sites open their doors to offer special activities and tours. Stroll through downtown Annapolis or visit Historic London Town and South County for educational tours, costumed

reenactors, art exhibits, kids' activities and more. 

Four Rivers Heritage Area, Annapolis to South County. Free-$1. 410-222-1805

Visit http://www.marylandday.org/ for more information about the events happening

Maryland Day Open House

Spend an afternoon in the early 1900’s


Help our farmers, watermen, housewives, and students with their daily chores at our 19th Century Historic Village. Churn butter and crank the ice cream freezer. Sample Depression cake and take home a recipe. Help our housewives do their “fancy work.” Students, learn to read and recite at the one room school. Connect with your War of 1812 ancestors. Chat with a tobacco farmer and a waterman. When the chores are finished, attend church or a Beneficial Society meeting.
Sunday, March 24, 2013, 1:00-5:00 p.m.
Deale Area Historical Society at Historic Village Museum
Herrington Harbour North Marina, 389 Deale Rd. (Rt. 256)
Tracys Landing, MD, 20779

Refreshments sold by Honey's Harvest.

Deale Area Historical Society, Deale. 1-5 p.m. Free. 410-867-4911, http://www.dahs.us/

Bowie Baysox 14th Annual Free Family FunFest

Get excited about the upcoming season with free rides and games for kids and music on the concourse. Prince George's Stadium, Bowie. March 23, 2013 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Rain or shine. 301-464-4851

For more information visit

www.baysox.com

BOWIE, Md. - The 14^th annual Free Family FunFest at Prince George's Stadium this Saturday, March 23, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.  The event occurs rain or shine and features free rides and games in Louie's Kids Park, music and games on the concourse and displays from local businesses and organizations. 

Baysox Marketing Director Brandan Kaiser is excited for this year's event.  "Every year we try to provide a fun experience for our fans and their families at FunFest," Kaiser said.  "There will be some really great activities and displays for kids and adults that everyone who attends is sure to enjoy. FunFest is the unofficial start of the season and I hope it helps everyone get excited for Baysox baseball."Single game tickets for the Baysox 2013 season go on sale for the first time at FunFest and the box office is open throughout the day.  Season ticket holders can pick up their ticket plans at the event and are invited to an exclusive season ticket holders' luncheon in the Diamond View Restaurant.

Throughout the event, fans can hang out with the Baysox lovable mascot Louie.  There will also be live music performed by Terry Glaze and several carnival style games on the concourse. Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department will have fire engines in the parking lot and McGruff will be on scene with the Bowie Police Department, who will have their new squad cars on display. The Phillips Wharf Environmental Center Fishmobile presented by the Chesapeake Bay Trust will also make an appearance. The Fishmobile is a traveling marine science program that teaches kids about the Chesapeake Bay and the species that inhabit it.

Baysox Baseball - We'll Knock Your 'Sox Off. The Baysox open the 2013 season on the road and begin the 20th season of baseball at Prince George's Stadium Thursday, April 11. To keep up with Baysox news during the offseason, visit baysox.com.

National Cherry Blossom Festival

Celebrate DC's famous cherry trees in bloom with parades, music, Japanese street festival, lantern lighting ceremony, and more. Washington DC. All ages. Many events are free. 

Visit http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/

for details. Through April 14. 

Whether you have an Android or iPhone, make the best of the National Cherry Blossom Festival by downloading the free app. Have the Festival in the palm of your hand. Great for advance planning and use in real time, too.

Art Smart Studio - Spring Break

Spring break at Art Smart studio in Bryan’s Road will be from April 1-5^th! For those who still need to get some art in, we would love to have you, though space is limited. For more information please see

www.art-smart-studio.com

Thanks!

Thanks so much for everything!

Love and Peace,

Lorina

Lorina’sTupperwaresite

Register @ www.art-smart-studio.com Spring Break Art Camp!April 1 thru 5 2013
Morning session: 9-12pm, Afternoon session: 1- 4pm One session = $125 both sessions = $205
"Like" us @: ArtSmartstudio on Facebook

Project Osprey Watch (A Challenge to Home Schoolers)

Project Osprey Watch (A Challenge to Home Schoolers) by serchomeschool

Home School Parents, here's a great opportunity for you and your students to participate on a local and global project monitoring Osprey nests with the Center for Conservation Biology (in VA). Check out their website: http://www.osprey-watch.org/.

I just observed the first two osprey of the season cross the South River bridge so we know they're here! Time to get cracking. Can we post at least 20 nests from SERC Home Schoolers (they can be from your houses/homes/local area not just SERC)? If you post a nest on their website leave a message here so we can count how many SERC Home Schoolers contribute! COUNT ON!

Free guitar introduction lesson

 Last year we had Josh Urban, well-known guitarist, come to the Accokeek Library and give a free session on how to play the guitar to any and all ages.  He can come here on Saturday, April 6th.  How many of you would be interested?  It would probably start about 1 pm and go for a couple of hours.  Please let me know if you are interested.Thanks!

Anne

--

Anne-Marie Ramsey

Manager

Accokeek Library

15773 Livingston Rd.

Accokeek, MD 20607

301 292-2880

Smithsonian Environmental Research Center Summer Wildlife Biology Class

SERC Home School Parents,

We will be offering two blocks of courses this summer for home school students, ages 8-12 and 13-16 yrs. Registration will be online only, starting March 15th at 9 am. I will post a live link to begin registration on the 15th on this blog site.

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO REGISTER FOR ONE BLOCK OF CLASSES TO SIGN UP FOR BOTH. If you know your student will miss a class in the block it is up to you to make up the materials with the instructor. Once you register a materials list will be sent to you to prepare for the class (backpack, long pants, etc.).

Here are the details:

Time	Thursdays: 8-12 yr. olds (9-11 am) Fridays: 13-16 yr. olds (9 am-Noon)
Dates and Topics	Wildlife Biology Summer Field Classes                           Block 1: Introduction to Wildlife Biology (8-12 yr. & 13-16 yrs) ·        June 6th & 7th- Introduction to Wildlife Biology ·        June 13th & 14th- Food Webs, Competition, and Wildlife Strategies ·        July 11th & 12th –  Techniques in Tracking and Capturing Wild Animals & Ethics ·        July 18th & 19th-  Introduction to Estimating Wild Populations Block 2: Wildlife Biology-Studying Wildlife (8-12 yr. & 13-16 yrs) ·        August 1st & 2nd- Wildlife Biology and Physiology ·        August 8th & 9th-Reptile and Amphibian Study ·        August 15th & 16th- Bird Study ·        August 22nd & 23rd- Mammal Study ·        August 29th & 30th- Practicum
Cost	You must register for classes by block: 8-12 year olds (2 hrs): Block 1—Introduction to Wildlife Biology: $85 Block 2- Wildlife Biology-Animals and Organisms: $100 13-16 year olds (3 hrs): Block 1—Introduction to Wildlife Biology: $97 Block 2- Wildlife Biology-Animals and Organisms: $112
Expectations	Students will be respectful of other students and be familiar with the provided vocabulary and pre-class materials at  http://serchomeschool.wordpress.com/.
Registration	Registration is online only beginning  March 15th
Refunds	Refunds are made only under emergency circumstances.
Special Needs	Contact Karen McDonald to discuss special needs, allergies, or other concerns.
Arrival	Plan to arrive 10 minutes early. Classes are short and late arrivals disrupt the class. We close the door 5 minutes after class begins and ask that parents and students do not enter the room after that time for safety reasons.
Attire	Students will invariably be getting dirty and wet. Please wear old clothes and closed-toed shoes, no sandals or crocs.
Siblings	Siblings are welcome on the SERC campus, but must be supervised by an adult, separate from the home school activity.
Inclement Weather	Call (443)482.2388 for a voice-mail recording regarding the status of the class or check the blog at www.serchomeschool.wordpress.com.
Questions	Contact Karen McDonald, with any questions at McDonaldK@si.edu.

Course Descriptions

 Thursdays: 8-12 yr. olds (9-11 am) Fridays: 13-16 yr. olds (9 am- Noon)

You must sign up for an entire block of classes. If you cannot make a class you will be asked to make up the material with the instructor, either in person or through e-mail at McDonaldK@si.edu .  Registration will begin on March 15^th.

Block 1: Introduction to Wildlife Biology

June 6^th & 7^th- Introduction to Wildlife Biology: Students will learn about the field of wildlife biology, staring with what the definition of wildlife is, how wildlife is managed, biotic systems, and ecology.

June 13^th & 14^th- Food Webs, Competition, and Wildlife Strategies: In this class we’ll explore the complexity of food webs and energy, what niches and habitats are, how competition works, and wildlife strategies to survive. This will include fun hands-on games and examples.

July 11^th & 12^th- Techniques in Tracking and Capturing Wild Animals & Ethics: Students will learn about how wildlife biologists track, capture, tag, and follow wildlife as well as the ethics behind these techniques.

July 18^th & 19^th- Introduction to Estimating Wild Populations: We will learn how wildlife biologists estimate wild populations through several modeling scenarios and games.

Block 2: Wildlife Biology—Studying Wildlife

August 1^st & 2^nd – Wildlife Biology and Physiology: In this first class we will learn the basics about animal physiology, from how to read tooth dentition to the difference between horns and antlers.

August 8^th & 9^th- Reptile and Amphibian Study: Students will learn to identify some of the common reptiles and amphibians of Maryland and then we’ll use those sills to identify them in the field.

August 15^th & 16^th- Bird Study: We’ll learn the major group of birds, key identification markers, and how to look for them in the field.

August 22^nd & 23^rd- Mammal Study: We’ll look at the major groups of mammals found in Maryland, where to find them, and we’ll see if we can find some small rodents using basic trapping techniques. We’ll also learn about research conducted by SERC scientists on white tailed deer and their effects on the native forests.

August 29^th & 30^th- Lab Practicum: Students will be given a practical with information about everything they have learned in the previous classes. This will include identifying skulls, skins, pictures, dentition, the parts of binoculars and more.

Programs and Events for Patuxent Research Refuge April 2013

March Reminders

Our Refuge System Birthday Bash is this weekend!!  Saturday, March 9th from 10am-3pm at the National Wildlife Visitor Center. There will be live animals, tram tours, crafts and more! Hope to see you there!

Weekend trams begin on March 9th!  Remember to check our website for spring tram tour times.

Don't forget our other March special event, the Friends of Patuxent Wildlife Art Show and Sale, a free event at the Visitor Center on Saturday, March 23rd and 24th, featuring the work of nearly 30 regional artists. See details at www.friendsofpatuxent.org.

The Maryland Game Bird Stamp Design Contest entries will be displayed in the Visitor Center lobby after judging at the Art Show on March 24th.

Art from students entering the Maryland and District of Columbia Federal Junior Duck Stamp Contests will be featured in the Hollingsworth Gallery the last two weeks of March. Winners will be on display in the lobby after judging at the end of March.

Art by the Chesapeake Woodturners will also be displayed in the Visitor Center lobby during the month of April.

2. Spring in the Hollingsworth Art Gallery

Please remember to stop by the Visitor Center to see the Hollingsworth Art Gallery's featured April Artist, Barbara Buck. May will feature the North Carolina Artists' Society and Alice Webb will be featured in June. For more information about the Hollingsworth Art Gallery artists visit http://www.fws.gov/northeast/patuxent/vcgallery.html.

3. April Public Programs

All programs are FREE, however, donations to The Friends of Patuxent are greatly appreciated!  Note: These public programs are designed for individuals/families.  Programs DO require advance reservations and may be subject to changes or cancellation due to weather or low participation.

 Please call 301-497-5887 to make your reservation.  Please notify the refuge of any special needs so that you may be accommodated.

Patuxent.fws.gov

Programs Held at the North Tract (Registration required.)

The North Tract is located on Rt. 198 between the Baltimore-Washington Parkway and Rt. 32.

Spring Plant Walk

Saturday, April 13th, 10:00am-12:00pm, All Ages Join a naturalist to discover spring ephemerals.  Field guide, water, and magnifying glass are recommended.

 Spindly Spiders

Tuesday, April 16th, 1:00-2:30pm, Ages 5-7  Discover the wild, webby world of the spider and how they help us.  Maybe they are not so scary after all.

Bird Walk

Sunday, April 28th, 8:15-10:15am, All Ages Search for birds in several refuge habitats on this guided hike.  Field guides and binoculars are recommended.

Herp Search

Sunday, April 28th, 1:00-2:30pm, All Ages Join a refuge naturalist on this guided search for reptiles and amphibians.

 Wear good walking shoes!

Owl Prowl

Sunday, April 28th, 7:30-9:00pm, Ages 10+ Explore the refuge at night while looking and listening for owls.

Programs Held at the National Wildlife Visitor Center (Registration required unless otherwise noted.)

The Visitor Center is located on Powder Mill Road between the Baltimore-Washington Parkway and Rt. 197.

Bird Walk

Wednesday, April 3rd, 8:00-10:30am, Ages 16+ Wednesday, April 17th, 8:00-10:30am, Ages 16+ Search for birds in several refuge habitats on this guided hike. Field guides and binoculars are recommended.

Guided Trail Hike

Sunday, April 7th, 2:00-3:30pm, All Ages Seek out the earliest signs of spring using your senses.  Smell the first flowers, listen for the calls of birds and frogs hoping for a mate and touch fuzzy buds ready to open into leaves and flowers. Come ready for an afternoon of exploration on the trails!

Nature Tots: Leapin Lilypads

Thursday, April 11th, 10:30-11:30am & 1:00-2:00pm Peep!  Croak!  Ribbit!  Introduce your preschooler to the watery world of frogs through stories, songs, and a hike in this fun, hands-on program.

Whooping Crane Tour

Sunday, April 14th, 2:00-3:30pm, Ages 14+ Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center to observe the graceful endangered whooping cranes. Arrive early, as tour will leave on time. Space is very limited, registration required.

Puppet Show: Spring Surprises

Saturday, April 20th, 10:30am & 3:00pm, All Ages Join a very special American Toad on a springtime day at Patuxent as he bumps into old and new friends after a long winter.  No Registration Necessary.

Eggs Abound!

Saturday, April 20th, 1:00-2:30pm, Ages 5-7 Discover who is growing inside an egg! Learn about many different animals that hatch from eggs and search for them in their habitats. Eggs are everywhere, if you know where to look!

Tiny Tots: Nature and Music

Wednesday, April 24th, 10:30-11:15am, Ages 18-42mos.

Thursday, April 25th, 10:30-11:15am, Ages 18-42mos.

Come learn about the wildlife at the refuge through songs and rhyming.

Down by the Bay

Sunday, April 28th, 2:00-3:30pm, Ages 8-10

From horseshoe crabs to great blue herons, a variety of wildlife calls

the Chesapeake Bay home.   Discover how we play an important part in keeping

this habitat healthy thru hands on activities and a craft!