Rieke EcoThink is Evolving!

Starting this fall, the EcoThink Club will be changing into the EcoThink Science Enrichment program! The theme for the fall term is:

'Growing and Green in Oregon'

and will explore topics such as forestry, organic farming, native plants, riverbed restoration, and ethnobotany. During the Monday meetings there will be speakers, hands-on activities, and games to learn more about each topic. We are planning field trips to Bella Organic Farms, Tryon Creek State Park, a local native restoration site, and a sustainable logging site. This program has been designed to be fun and enriching to students and parents alike. If you would like to be involved or want to take part in this science enrichment, please contact jamie.repasky@gmail.com

Here's a short slideshow of the club's activities this spring:

Rieke EcoThink Club Spring 2011 from Jamie Repasky on Vimeo.

Recycling part II - Composting

Today the students learned how to recycle food waste in worm bins and compost piles. The club took a field trip to the Seker's house to experience the steps to composting. The students started their adventure by collected and assessed compostable items from around the house. They added the food waste and shredded paper to the compost pile and had a chance to dig and search for worms. After passing the compost quiz the students had time to meet some chickens and discover three eggs in the coop - Seker souvenirs! Special thanks to Mark Seker, aka the Tutor Doctor, for a wonderful experience for the club.

Composting field trip photos

The plastics are off to Farwest Fibers!

During the assembly yesterday, the EcoThink Club members helped carry all 20 bags of plastics that were collected during the Earth Week Plastic Drive to the front of the gym. Ranger Christal Florin from Tryon Creek State Park was impressed with how much plastic our community saved from the landfill! She talked to the students about recycling and about how to creating a waste-free lunch - showing examples from her lunch box. After the assembly, we packed all of the bags into her truck (it barely fit - check out the photo!) and they were off to be recycled.

Our club was featured in the Southwest Connection newspaper!

"Rieke EcoThink Club inspires green thinking for Earth Month"

http://www.swcommconnection.com/news/print_story.php?story_id=130392511762057600

Late Start Morning Hike - May 11th

Mark your calendars - we are planning a trip to Lower MacLeay Trail at 9am on Wednesday May 11th. It's a native forest along the Balch Creek. We will hike from the lower park (NW 29th Ave and Upshur St) along the river to the Stone House, or 'castle ruins', and back (about 1.6 miles round trip). For more information, check out this site:

http://www.portlandhikersfieldguide.org/wiki/Pittock_Mansion_Hike

Earth Week Pledges

During Earth week, each student had a chance to write down a pledge - something that they would try over the next year. Their pledges are now posted in the cafeteria (thanks to the wonderful volunteers Shannon, Cindy, Ada, Margot, and Torin). What small step will you try this year?

Photos of Rieke's Earth week pledges 2011