Program Name:
Thorne Ecological Institute: Project BEAR (Building Environmental Awareness and Respect)

Program Contact:
Erin O'Neill, Education Director - (303) 499-3647

Program Website:
www.thorne-eco.org

Program Overview:
Each of our programs include three visits to a classroom, the first two are content presentations and the third is a writing project where students create an "ebook" about what they have learned. Each student takes a book home. We also have options for fieldtrips, assemblies and Earth Day events.
Topics: 
Kinder:  Birds 
1st-3rd:  Bats, Worms (Decomposers), Insects, Plants
4th-6th:  Colorado Ecology, Wetland Ecology, Prairie Dogs, Food Chains, Solar Energy, Wind Energy, Climate Change

BVSD audience:
In BVSD we work with University Hill (1st and 2nd grades), Whittier (1st and 2nd grades), and Foothills (all grade levels). We work with many other students in other counties with Project BEAR and would love to expand into new schools in Boulder, especially with fee-based programs.

In BVSD we teach about 1500 students, but our program reaches over 10,000 in all counties per year. We visit a classroom three times with each program.

History (how long has your program operated in BVSD schools):
11 years

How do you advertise your program?:
On our website, at events, brochures to schools. 

Is your program available upon request?:
Yes

How do schools express interest? Who should they contact?:
Erin O'Neill, Education Director - (303) 499-3647

How much does your program cost schools? How is your program funded?:
The total cost for a three-visit program is $500, but we have a sliding scale based on the percentage of free and reduced lunch. This program is mostly funded by grants with some program fees. 

Standards met by your program?:
Colorado Science Standards 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.8, 3.1, 3.4, 3.5, 3.8, 3.10, 3.11,  4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.7, 5.2, and 5.5 (all over our various programs)