Connecticut Experiential Learning Center

CELC Students Love to Cook!

“Who’s on poppy seed and who’s on toffee triangles?”  begins our Why Cook? class, which takes place on Friday mornings at Connecticut Experiential Learning Center.  Students gather around a dining room table that is filled with an assortment of bowls, measuring cups, and wet and dry ingredients.

After reading the recipes, students discuss what they now know about what is needed.  As students share their understanding of the recipes they are about to produce, a lot of discussion related read more

Legislators Greet CELC Students During Visit to Capitol

CELC students with Senator Ed Meyer

What a way to learn!

Connecticut Experiential Learning Center (CELC) middle-school students saw and heard first-hand how government works when they spent a day in Hartford, meeting state senators and representatives, attending legislative sessions, observing what it’s like to run the state. Receiving standing ovations from both chambers for their enthusiasm and participation, the day topped off with an ice cream social with the CT Farm Bureau.

CELC gives its students these kinds of experiences regularly, as the most effective way to learn.

read more

CANstruction 2010 Seeks Sponsors for CT Food Bank Food Drive

CANstruction takes CELC students to visit George Penniman Architects of Essex, Connecticut.  Heather passed out the meeting agenda as students gathered at the conference table – she wanted to simulate the experience of how architects might conduct a meeting.  We discussed our collaboration called CANstruction, a creative food drive where students team up with architects to design and build a structure made entirely out of full cans of food, which all will be donated ultimately to the Connecticut Food Bank. Many schools throughout the state read more

CANstruction 2010 … yes, we know we CAN!

Connecticut Experiential Learning Center (CELC) prepares for 2010 CANstruction, a creative food drive, exhibition and competition. One of the most unique food drives in the world, CELC students will work with George Penniman Architects, exercising their structural genius to build a spectacular structure using little more than full cans of food. All this design talent is put to the test to make a difference in the cause to fight hunger. Completed structures will be on display at the Connecticut Science Center in Hartford beginning 15 May  and all of the cans used will be donated to the Connecticut Food Bank. For more information or to make a donation toward the purchase of cans, please contact Melinda or Maria at mandm@CTExperiential.org or 203-215-2317

Geography is Alive and Well!

On Friday, 22 January 2010, nine students took their places on the stage of the auditorium of the Blackstone Memorial Library in Branford, Connecticut.  These students have all been working to prepare for the day’s event – The National Geographic Geography Bee!

After seven preliminary rounds to determine the four finalists, there was a three-way tie for the third finalist and third-place winner.  The tie-breaker round commenced followed by a final championship round, which then determined our 2010 Bee champion!  She will take a written exam this Monday, the 25th that could qualify her for the State and then National competition.

Students were all very pleased and proud to have been a part of this Geography Bee and asked if we could do it again next year!  This may be the start of a CELC tradition  - we will compete in a local Spelling Bee in March!

CELC hosts The National Geographic Geography Bee for New Haven County!

The Connecticut Experiential Learning Center (CELC) hosts the 2010 National Geographic Geography Bee for New Haven County. All students (ages 9-14) interested in participating may join us for our group study session meeting Mondays from 10am-12pm in Guilford. The Bee will take place January 22nd at The Blackstone Memorial Library in Branford. Please contact Melinda or Maria at mandm@CTExperiential.org or 203-215-2317 for more information.