Learning
how to take care of the planet and studying science just got more fun
with TurfMutt, an environmental stewardship and education program for
kids, teachers and families. TurfMutt announces today its annual “Be a
Backyard Superhero” contest, which awards a $5,000 grant to improve two
winning schools’ green spaces, and the addition of new in-classroom
materials for grades K to 5, including a new digital storybook titled
“The West Coast Mission,” an online climate change game, and lesson
plans for teachers at scholastic.com/TurfMutt
Created in conjunction with
Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media
company, the TurfMutt program helps students in grades K to 5 learn
about science and the environment from the perspective of the backyard,
community and personal green spaces they enjoy every day. The program
also provides students with an understanding of how these green spaces
benefit the environment when cared for in a sustainable way.
“With drought ransacking the
West and many other parts of the country, understanding how to care for
green spaces is more important than ever,” said Kris Kiser, President
and Chief Executive Officer of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute.
“The new digital storybook and climate change game help children
understand the importance of taking care of these living landscapes and
what they contribute to our communities.”
To inspire kids to apply what
they are learning to real life, the “Be a Backyard Superhero” essay
contest offers students in grades K through 5 the opportunity to compete
for a chance to win a $5,000 grant for a “green space makeover” at
their school. Visit www.TurfMutt.com for rules and to obtain entry
information.
TurfMutt program materials are
free and aligned to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)
standards. Lesson plans for teachers, take home sheets and learning
activities are available. The program also offers a website and blog,
interactive games and two digital storybooks.
A real-life rescue dog named
Lucky is the superhero, TurfMutt. A cartoonized version of Lucky is
“pawing it forward” by fighting environmental villains with the help of
“The Outdoor Powers,” a band of cartoon superheroes. In the classroom
materials, TurfMutt and The Outdoor Powers are on a mission to “Save the
Planet One Yard at a Time” and they invite children to join them on
their adventures and chip in.
“This unique cartoon-based
story-telling format makes science accessible, entertaining and
motivating for students and their families,” said Ann Amstutz Hayes,
Senior Vice President, Scholastic. "We have created teachable moments
that are fun and appealing for kids and encourage them to engage in
real-life reading and writing exercises related directly to the green
spaces in their community.”
The TurfMutt environmental
education program, funded and managed by OPEI’s Research and Education
Foundation, has reached 62 million students, teachers and families since
2009.
TurfMutt’s focus on
environmental stewardship and best practices for water use and landscape
maintenance have been widely accepted among educators, youth and
families as well as listed as a resource by the U.S. Department of
Education’s Green Ribbon Schools, the U.S. Department of Energy, the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Green Apple, the Center for Green
Schools, the Outdoors Alliance for Kids, the National Energy Education
Development (NEED) project, Climate Change Live, Petfinder and the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service.
About OPEI
The Outdoor Power Equipment
Institute (OPEI) is an international trade association representing more
than 100 power equipment, engine and utility vehicle manufacturers and
suppliers. OPEI is the advocacy voice of the industry, and a recognized
Standards Development Organization for the American National Standards
Institute (ANSI) and active internationally through the International
Standards Organization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical
Commission (IEC) in the development of safety and performance standards.
OPEI is managing partner of GIE+EXPO, the industry’s annual
international trade show. OPEI’s Education & Research Foundation is
the creative force behind the environmental education program,
TurfMutt.com. OPEI-Canada represents members on a host of issues,
including recycling, emissions and other regulatory developments across
the Canadian provinces. For more information, visit www.OPEI.org
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