I’m here in New Haven,Connecticut, home to the amazing New Haven Museum. Here, in this brightly colored room, we have a history lesson all about the people who have made Connecticut great. We are given a packet filled with information – letters,  journals, or blueprints by the person whom we are studying. After a lot of hypotheses about who each person might be, we are moved on to a room with dimmed lights and first-hand evidence. With every step, the evidence becomes clearer,  and we are able to figure out more about each person’s life. Later all the groups assemble, and we share our ideas about aspects of the person we studied, including what he or she did for a living.

We conclude our trip back in time, forcing ourselves back to the future. This is all we could do in our two-hour time limit, although more secrets of New Haven lie waiting for thoughtful students to come.

After weeks of hard work, we are now coming to the end of our woodworking unit. We’ve spent countless hours measuring, cutting, and sanding our wooden masterpieces, while we simultaneously choked on sawdust and learned to not fear the table saw. It’s hard to anticipate the end of something that has only just begun. It seems like yesterday that we had to learn how to turn on the table saw. We’ve only just gotten used to the sawdust coating our clothes and burning our throats, yet it’s already time to go.

Our woodshop instructor, Ken Rowe, taught us everything from adjusting the angle of the saw to fixing our mistakes. His patience and understanding when we messed up helped to create a less stressful and more welcoming environment in which to create our boxes and cutting boards. It will be hard to go home on Fridays without dust beneath our fingernails and thin pink scrapes on our arms, but at least we will have our beautiful projects as souvenirs! I’m sure everyone will miss the hum of the power tools echoing in their ears as we end this unit, and I know we will never forget this exciting and educational experience!

I could hear the machine pumping air bubbles into the calm water filled with life.  There were dull green-colored fish, invasive Asian crabs, and snails that look like black dots on the side of the wall. This is the touch tank at Meigs Point Nature Center at Hammonasset State Park.

Cold water crept up my arm as I reached into the clear water to touch the green crab – it felt rough and bumpy on my hand! The quahaug clam was so hard to open that we couldn’t open it. The large moon snails’ secretions on my hand sent a salty scent up to my nose.

It was time to go, the salty scent will remain a memory. Hammonasset is a place where I feel at home, and each time I have a good time!

We walked into the large colorful room. The domed pink and white ceiling made me feel as if I were strutting into a fairy princess’s castle. A tiny wooden stage was set in the back of the room. Nine chairs rested in a flawless line for the Geobee contestants. The contestants climbed on stage  and flopped  onto the seats. None of us knew who would be asked the first question. I sat still and clasped my hands together, wondering what would happen next.

The Geobee rules were read aloud as each student listened contently, hoping to come in first place. After the first question was asked, silence hung in the air for a few seconds. The answer cut through the silence like a knife. The second through twenty-seventh questions came and went the same way. Thus put an end to the preliminary round.

Four students were called off the stage , leaving five students to remain. Only one of these students knew she would eventually be moving on , while the other four were tied with five correct answers each. The only thing that could determine their fate was a tie-breaker. The first question asked in the tie-breaking round was one that all four contestants failed to answer correctly. The second question asked sealed the fate for two of them, leaving the other two to battle it out. The suspense was killing me.  Which one of them would advance, joining  the three of us in the final round?

Finally, the question was answered, sending one student back into the audience. That was it. On to the final round.

After the final round, two remained. It only took two more questions – asked and answered, and the Geobee came to an end.  The winner had a medal hung around her neck and a certificate slipped into her hand. For the rest of us, a certificate of participation and a pencil. I had a good time at the Geobee, and I hope that my fellow classmates did as well.

Connecticut Experiential Learning Center (CELC) is host for the National Geography Bee for all Connecticut homeschoolers.

On Monday, 23 January 2012 nine students took their places on the stage of the auditorium of the James 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 the preliminary round containing seven questions to determine which four would be moving on, there was a tie for the third finalist and third-place winner.  The tie-breaking round commenced, followed by a final championship round, which ultimately determined our 2012 Bee champion!  

Willow Coleman of Guilford is this year’s winner.  Willow will now take a written exam that could qualify her for the state competition, which will be held at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain 30 March 2012. The National competition follows thereafter in May in Washington, D.C.

Students were all very pleased and proud to have been a part of this Geography Bee, now a CELC tradition, and are already preparing for the 2013 Bee!

CT Experiential Learning Center 

Hosts 2012 National Geography Bee

for all CT Homeschoolers

CELC 3^rd Annual Geography Bee

James Blackstone Memorial Library

 Branford, CT

23 January 2012 at 1 p.m. 

Free and Open to the Public

For more information or to participate contact us:

 mandm@ctexperiential.org

or call 203-433-4658 / 203-215-2317

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.

A variety of workshops and classes are available throughout the year  including: Outdoor Education at Meigs Point, drama classes at Long Wharf Theater, and water science with the Whitney Water Center.  Read on for more information, class descriptions and pricing, or call 203-215-2317.

Introduction to Japanese for ages 10-14

Location: CT Experiential Learning Center (CELC) at 28 School Street, 2^nd floor – Suite G, Branford

 Date/Time: Thursdays: Oct. 20, 27, Nov. 3, 10, 17, and Dec. 1, 8, 15 from 3:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Price:  Rate of $65.00 per class to be divided among participants   (minimum of 6 students to run the program)

This 8-week introduction to Japanese language and culture taught by an experienced instructor will include some or all of the following:

Writing systems (Kanji, hiragana, katakana) & basic usage

Pronunciation & simple vocabulary

Conversations – Self-introduction skits/Basic Survival Phrases

Writing: Kanji/Kana Calligraphy & Names

Culture explorations (cuisine, film, etc.)

Outdoor Education with CT Experiential Learning Center (CELC)

and Common Ground High School

This seasonal outdoor education program allows students a break to be out of doors, to bond with their peers and with nature in the quiet setting of Common Ground and West Rock Park.

Students will participate in monthly sessions in the forest that will allow them to fully experience the change of seasons. We will explore the trails of West Rock Park and observe trees and woodland habitats, streams and water flow, and signs of local wildlife. We will hike to the summit of West Rock and to Judge’s Cave and discuss the natural and cultural history of the landforms.

Overall, the students will have fun, get outside, and enjoy activities that build community and leadership.

Dates/Times: Tuesdays 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. 18 OCT, 15 NOV, 13 DEC 2011, 17 JAN, 14 FEB, 20 MAR, 24 APR, 15 MAY 2012

Cost: $12.00 per session or $80.00 per 8-week series

Contact us at mandm@CTExperiential.org or call 203-433-4658 or 203-215-2317 to register and for more information.  All participants must dress to be outdoors (raingear, protective layers and comfortable shoes to hike in, etc.) and bring a filled water bottle. Snacks are optional.

Water Science to Benefit LifeStraw®

Special Event for Homeschoolers and Families

CT Experiential Learning Center (CELC) will launch our Water Science Series in conjunction with the Whitney Water Center on Monday, 28 November.  Peter Cleary, Communications Director with Vestergaard Frandsen, Incorporated – the company that created LifeStraw® – will visit CELC in Branford to speak with students and families about its work to save lives.  Brett Leckey, a 10-year old who initiated his own project devoted to LifeStraw®, will also speak about his fundraising efforts to better peoples’ lives throughout the world.

All participants of the Water Science Classes please join us for this exciting presentation/lunch gathering that will begin our series. Bring a lunch and arrive for 11:30 a.m. to be followed by the presentations at noon.  The first Water Science Class will then commence from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.  See you all on Monday, 28 November starting at 11:30 a.m. at 28 School Street, Branford, CT.  This special event is open to the public with a donation to LifeStraw®.

Please contact us at mandm@ctexperiential.org or call 203-433-4658 with any questions and see below for a list of all classes:

Water Science with the CT Experiential Learning Center and the Whitney Water Center to benefit Ucan2’s LifeStraw Project

Water is one of our most precious — and endangered — natural resources. The Regional Water Authority’s Whitney Water Center offers environmental education programs to show people, especially kids, how their actions can affect the quality of the region’s water resources.  Using engaging hands-on activities and experiments, students learn how human actions on land affect the quality of the region’s water resources.

All workshops are free with a donation toward Ucan2’s Life Straw Project. Contact us at mandm@CTExperiential.org or call 203-215-2317 to register and for more information.

Monday, 28 November 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. at 28 School Street in Branford:

WISE WATER WAYS – Students will learn how much water a dripping faucet can waste every day and easy ways to conserve water at home and beyond.

**Special presentation and lunch gathering begins at 11:30 a.m.**

Monday, 12 December 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. at 945 Whitney Avenue in Hamden: RETURNING RAINDROP – Students will explore the water cycle by building their own terrariums in clear two-liter soda bottles. You provide the bottles; we’ll provide everything else.  Students need prior knowledge of the water cycle.

Monday, 9 January 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. at 945 Whitney Avenue in Hamden: MAGIC OF MICROSCOPY – What are some of the smallest things that live in the Mill River? Students will learn the basic parts of a microscope and look at and identify some of the smallest plants and animals in the food chain.  Based on their findings, they will try to determine if the water is healthy.

Monday, 6 February 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. at 28 School Street in Branford: INVASION OF THE ALIENS - What are invasive alien species, and why should we care about them? Using zebra mussels and purple loosestrife as examples, students will learn about the problems that invasive, non-native species can cause.

Monday, 12 March 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. at 28 School Street in Branford: MACROINVERTEBRATE MESSAGES - Benthic macroinvertebrates are small critters that live on the bottom of a stream. Students will find out how scientists use macroinvertebrates to assess the health and water quality of a stream.

Exciting Drama Classes with CT Experiential Learning Center (CELC) at Long Wharf Theater

for homeschoolers ages 10 and up:

9 – week session on Fridays (7, 14, 21, 28 OCT; 4, 18 NOV; 2, 9, 16 DEC) from 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Join our Acting and Improvisation classes at the Long Wharf Theater in New Haven, beginning October 2011.  Activities will include acting games, improvisation, dramatic study of scenes and more, culminating with a “share/performance” for family and friends. This is a fun class where students can build new skills and utilize their imaginations and playfulness.

Cost is $150.00 per student.  Contact us at mandm@CTExperiential.org or call 203-2317 for registration and more information.

We began on Monday preparing thank you notes and gifts for the many people who have graced our lives to share with us.  Visiting the Abbey of Regina Laudis, having Carlos Eire meet with students, and working with native Spanish speakers from Mexico were just a few.

Tuesday was our final outdoor education day for the year.  Working with Lucy from Everyone Outside, we hiked the Timberland Trails in Guilford, re-visiting the same caves that we’d discovered in the fall.  Full circle, new seasons.

Wednesday morning we worked on our writing and then moved on to Casa Otoñal in New Haven for a community service project, creating gardens at this senior housing residence.  After planting flowers and sowing vegetable seeds, we were able to listen to and play traditional Latin music with elders on guitar and drums.  What a fabulous experience.  Students presented their gift of a paper quilt collage, which illustrated in words and images, the information students had gathered about the elders from their oral history interviews done a month prior.  Multi-generational people-to-people connections!

Placing our orders and speaking in Spanish, we enjoyed quesadillas and tacos at Mezcal restaurant in New Haven.  Following this fine meal, we set up camp for the night. CELC camped out, yes amidst some thunderstorms, at Trap Rock Ridge Camp, where we’ve spent much time throughout the year tending gardens and working the land. The next day’s heat did not stop the CELCers from hilling potatoes, stacking wood, having a grammar class, or cooking clam chowder and corn fritters on the camp stove.  And then came Friday, our final day to finish any loose ends, such as our final spelling test, preparing our writing pieces for the honoring ceremony, and of course, a bit of ice cream.

With an incredibly full year of learning to celebrate and honor, we gathered at Parker Memorial Park at Branford Point with families and friends while students recognized their accomplishments of the year.   Symbolizing their journey along this continuum of growth and study, students walked a path, reading words they’d written to describe their experience. From looking forward to seeing friends, to feeling tired yet happy to be pushed to work hard, students were proud, confident, and ready.  Parents were proud and tearful and filled with joy.   The path began and ended at the same point, yet, by making their way back to the beginning, anew, they faced in a different direction on the bench, symbolic of the new perspective that is now incorporated into our next moments and days. We acknowledged all we’ve done and allowed for new beginnings.

We ask for students to bring their best selves forward each day, and we ask that of ourselves too.  Learning that takes place at CELC may be quantified, yet there is also much that involves real inner growth – not as concrete, just as essential and long lasting, nonetheless.

The mighty circle continues.  Rock right on!

En route to Fredericksburg, Virginia students had a math class in the café car of the Amtrak train. CELCers are quite adept at making a classroom happen, whether it is on the deck of Boundless for Literature Circle or on the train platform for writing workshop.  Going with the flow – not often considered a developed trait for this aged student – happens as a matter of course at CELC.  We move around a lot, to interesting places that capture our curiosity and attention; the process of learning is natural, not forced, and is real and exciting.