Blog•
on January 3rd, 2012•
CT Experiential Learning Center (CELC) presents
Water Science with the Whitney Water Center to benefit LifeStraw®

Join us for an exciting presentation/lunch gathering on Monday, 9 January at 11:30 a.m. when Peter Cleary, Communications Director with Vestergaard Frandsen, Incorporated will speak with students and families about its work to save lives.
In addition, Brett Leckey, a 10-year old who initiated his own project (Ucan2) devoted to LifeStraw®, will also speak about his fundraising efforts to better peoples’ lives throughout the world.
Admission is a donation in any amount toward Ucan2’s LifeStraw® Project
MAGIC OF MICROSCOPY from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
at The Whitney Water Center at 945 Whitney Avenue in Hamden
**Special presentation and lunch gathering begins at 11:30 a.m.**
EDITEDNEWestLifeStraw Flyer copy
Blog, Events•
on December 11th, 2011•
These days, being outdoors is not considered by many kids as place to go to spend their time. Being plugged in to a wireless device is more the trend. “I like to play indoors better, because that’s where all the electrical outlets are,” said a fourth-grader quoted in the book Last Child in the Woods, in which author Richard Louv coins the term “nature deficit disorder.”

Outdoor education takes many forms at CELC. The “outdoor education class” happens twice per week for two hours at a time. We work with environmental educators such as Ranger Russ at Meigs Point Nature Center, do a lot of hiking, letterboxing, winter skiing, work on an organic farm, kayaking, and lots more. In addition to being a time to learn and be in nature, outdoor education also incorporates physical education. Playing basketball in a gym, bowling, or doing yoga are all possible activities. We play each day, no matter what the weather – call it recess or just being outside – after noon meal, CELCers run around outdoors. They may toss a football, play guitar, or build forts in the woods. read more
Blog, Front Page News•
on December 10th, 2011•
CT Experiential Learning Center (CELC) presents
Water Science with the Whitney Water Center to benefit LifeStraw®

Join us for an exciting lunch gathering, film presentation, and water science class on Monday, 9 January beginning at 11:30 a.m.
Peter Cleary, Communications Director with Vestergaard Frandsen, Incorporated will speak with students and families, and show a film documenting its work to save lives.
In addition, Brett Leckey, a 10-year old who initiated his own project (Ucan2) devoted to LifeStraw®, will also speak about his fundraising efforts to better peoples’ lives throughout the world. read more
Blog, Front Page News•
on December 7th, 2011•
For our theme study of Exploration and Discovery, we begin by having students relate to their own passions. The idea being that every explorer/discoverer probably begins with seed of inspiration that grows into a passion, leading to one’s exploration. Following is a description of two student projects where each had to share her passion with the group.
My passion is working with children.

When the CELC students came to my passion project field experience, everyone seemed interested and ready to work. The children we met were happy to see so many new faces. I really wanted to use shaving cream to make shapes because I thought that it would be a fun and easy exercise to begin our day. Everyone thought it was fun – this activity helped the children learn to develop fine motor skills, work cooperatively in small groups, take turns, and follow directions. The children at the center learn by playing and having fun. We also took a tour of the school and met most of the teachers. We went outside where some of the preschool students were playing. During our break/snack time we did a question and answer with me and my mother, who is the director of the West Haven Child Development Center. I could tell that everyone really enjoyed our time. Working read more
Blog, Events•
on November 30th, 2011•
A rich and full learning experience, while par for the course, is not to be taken for granted. At times, I become reflective and take pause to notice what we do from day-to-day, week-to-week at CELC. Yesterday for example, Monday, although typical of the CELC way, was not just any ordinary Monday!
Students arrive and get to the business of a Literature Circle class. Opening their copies of Huck Finn, they read, prepare for the literature circle roles, and quiz each other on the vocabulary for the upcoming test (all 80 words, in context, to be dynamically presented in a written evaluation in a couple of weeks).
One math class pursues understanding decimals and the magnitude of the applications, while another group works on algebraic equations and measures of central tendency. Then, in keeping with our theme of Exploration and Discovery, we engage in a “passion project” presentation on football.
With the idea that any explorer or discoverer began with some seed of inspiration, CELCers take to our study by exploring their passions and then design a way to share with the class in a hands-on way.
read more
Blog, Front Page News•
on November 20th, 2011•
SPECIAL EVENT
to launch our Water Science Workshops with the Whitney Water Center:
Arrive at CELC in Branford at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, 28 November for an exciting presentation when Brett Leckey, a 10-year old who initiated his own project devoted to LifeStraw®, will speak about his fundraising efforts to better peoples’ lives throughout the world. The first Water Science Class will then commence from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

This special event is open to the public.

Admission cost is a donation toward Ucan2’s Life Straw Project.
Recommended for
ages 9 and up.
Contact us at mandm@CTExperiential.org
or call 203-215-2317 to register and for more information. read more
Blog, Events•
on November 2nd, 2011•
CT Experiential Learning Center (CELC) brings internationally-known ethnomusicologist Emilia Biancardi from Salvador, Bahia to New Haven on Monday, 7 November to share with students from CELC, Coop High School, and Yale College her knowledge of the music of Brazil in an interactive way.
Emilia Biancardi is known as one of the foremost authorities on the folkloric music and culture of Brazil. She pioneered the recognition of this music as an art form, performing it on stages all over the world. Her long awaited book The Musical Roots of Bahia was published in 2000. Emilia has been musical director for many folkloric programs in the Pelhourino district of Salvador. Her collection of traditional musical instruments from around the world is on permanent exhibition in Salvador, under the direction of the Museums of Bahia. She is also co-founder, along with Gerilyn Greco, of “Iabas” – an all-women’s Brazilian folkloric band based in the Hudson Valley of upstate New York.
At this workshop, Emilia will discuss the history of the music of Bahia, read more
Blog, Events•
on October 28th, 2011•
Not rain, nor sleet, nor wind, nor hail…
Will stop the CELCers from delivering the….
I mean “working in the garden”
You all are troopers. I hope no one gets sickly. That was important stuff you did yesterday. And now with snow on the way, even more so. It gives me the motivation and momentum to finish. Thanks for coming to the aid of your senior citizen farmer friends.
I can come by someday next week to chat about sustainable living. And read my piece about the sweet potato harvest.
Give me a few options for time. Tues and Fri N/G for me.

When Eileen asked if she could share her knowledge of the
ancient origins of Halloween, she gave us plenty to think about as we approach this holiday, along with stories based on
graveyard legends from New Haven’s past – such a history to the Halloween that we now know!
Blog, Front Page News•
on October 28th, 2011•
One may experience an initial inspiration that sparks a passion, which ultimately leads to a lifelong journey of immersion into a particular area of interest.
CELC’s thematic study for this academic year of Exploration and Discovery begins first by finding out what students are passionate about and then by sharing that passion with their peers.
A variety of initial activities takes place, including a collage depicting images and words that best describe the aspects of the passion that are meaningful as well as the creation of a board game that teaches and employs aspects of the topic relating to the passion. We have a wide range of interests in our seven-person group including child development, photography, football, and fencing.
The main event for students is to create a way to share their passion with their classmates. This must include a sharing of what is most meaningful, educating others and incorporating a way to have others experience the activity first-hand.
The first presentation occurred Tuesday when one of our students brought the group to the West Haven Child Development Center. Her mom is the director of the center, and this student has developed a passion for working with young children. read more
Blog, News of the Week•
on October 16th, 2011•
Connecticut Experiential Learning Center (CELC), located at 28 School Street in Branford, provides an outstanding middle school education for students grades 5 – 8, blending strong academics with lots of hands-on and field experiences, as well as private tutoring, workshops, and special events.
CELC is a rewarding choice for students in grades 5 – 8 in the shoreline area. It could be the right fit for you and your family.
Registering now for 2012-13 academic year.
Call 203-215-2317 / 203-433-4658 to schedule a Monday visit.
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