Construction at Edison

During the Summer of 2009, Edison is under some serious construction. Below is a video that highlights the construction of the Video Production Studio that will be operational this Fall.

Construction of Production Studio from Edison Environmental Science Aca on Vimeo.

Picking and Jamming

We picked them fresh yesterday, and today we made strawberry jam! Watch and see how yummy strawberry jam is made by Edison Garden Camp students!

Making Jam from Edison Environmental Science Aca on Vimeo.

Picking Strawberries

Here is a look at our visit to the strawberry patch. As you can see, there is a lot to learn at a fruit farm!

Picking Strawberries at Garden Camp from Edison Environmental Science Aca on Vimeo.

Student Blog Entries June 24, 2009

Yesterday, we wrote the old fashioned way...on paper! It is a good way to practice handwriting so we are balancing writing in journals with blogging throughout the camp. Today we have blog posts from Brian and Elexus as they answer the question, "Would you like to be a strawberry grower?"

Brian:

No because all that time in the sun would be really annoying and you could get sunburn.

Elexus:

No because it is horrible out in the sun and it is kind of disgusting when you touch parts that have been bit out of.

Today, we are making strawberry jam from the strawberries we picked yesterday. We will have video of this interesting and yummy process when it is done.

Daily Chores - Gardening

There are many things that have to be done every day at a farm. One of our daily chores is to work in the garden area. Here is a video that shows a typical morning planting in the garden.

Daily Chores - Gardening from Edison Environmental Science Aca on Vimeo.

Student Blog Entries June 22, 2009

Carmela didn't make it Garden Camp today, so the responsibility for blogging falls on Brian's shoulders! Here's what he has to say as we start week #2 of Garden Camp.

From Brian:

Where did your juice come from?Its called mixed berry so it must be from berries.I expect to see a lot of strawberries and a lot of boating.I have a new friend here at garden camp and his name is Zack.

Student Blog Entries June 18, 2009

From Brian:

Yesterday we picked weeds and I thought I had a allergic reaction to one of the weeds,but i didn't.We did some farm chores and I met Ms.Pat's husband,son, her son's wife,and Ms.Christy who had plants to give us.These are three reasons I like garden camp so far.(1)I am apart of the vj/video journalists,(2)Everybody gets to have a fun time with Mr.Johnson,Mr.Gettig,and Ms.Butter Fingers.(3)Everybody's so nice.

From Carmela:

Q: What do stems do?
A: Stems support plants like making them stand, helping water and nutrients get inside the plant which help it grow. We also did an experiment with celery. We put the stems in regular water and blue colored water and today the stem and plant were greenish blue. I was really surprised by the results I think it will also surprise you too! :) !

Planting Experiment

Filmed by Edison VJ Carmela, this video shows the setup of a planting experiment by two students attending Garden Camp.

Garden Camp Planting Experiment from Edison Environmental Science Aca on Vimeo.

Student Blog Entries June 17, 2009

Two of the students attending Garden Camp are learning to shoot video and use Internet tools like blogging. They are the documentary filmmakers and student video journalists (VJ's) for our camp.

One component of Garden Camp is daily journaling. The VJ's will be periodically making blog entries for themselves and for the younger students at camp. Here are blog entries from each.

From Brian:

I learned how to use a tripod and I got to record kids in the garden picking weeds and putting benches in the garden to look at the garden without standing you can relax and see our wonder garden.Don't be afraid of our wonderful garden,and garden club out at pretty lake vacation camp.I have been at garden camp for 2 years and why stop there I could work with garden camp when I get older.S please don't keep me away from garden camp.

From Carmela:

Yesterday I went swimming at Pretty Lake with Mr.Johnson, Ms.Smith, Ms.Pat.and Mr.Gettig . We also went fishing. At least three (3) of the boys caught a fish. Mr. Gettig took a picture of the fisher boys and their fish. We also took a swimming test. There was also a lifeguard . His name is Zack. He'll save you if you drown. Then free swam and change and left to Edison.

Garden Camp 2009 Day 1

Garden Camp 2009 kicked off today with a fantastic time at the farm! We are at Pretty Lake this summer and looking forward to learning and fun.

On this first day, we took a tour of the areas we will be spending time in and did a little bit of work. Some planted in the garden while others painted crates for the chickens to lay eggs in. We also took time out to "chillax" and read in peace and quiet. We also had a wonderful lesson called "Rooting for the roots" where we found plants with big roots, brought them back to the classroom, and took scientific measurements with rulers and magnifying glasses.

Like last year, we will be posting pictures, videos, and written updates from Garden Camp. We also have some students shooting and editing video this year. Here is a video that was made by two 5th grade students and Mr. Gettig. Check back often to see more great happenings at Garden Camp 2009!

Garden Camp 2009 Day 1 from Edison Environmental Science Aca on Vimeo.

Two Spanish Language Public Service Announcements

Over the past several weeks, Spanish speaking students at Edison have been working closely with Spanish class students from Kalamazoo College. The goal: to produce Public Service Announcements for the benefit of the Spanish speaking community in the West Michigan region. Edison students were involved in every step of the process, from brainstorming script ideas to shooting video.

The two videos produced cover the topics of Type 2 Diabetes and Pesticides. Check them out here, pass along the link to others, and let us know if you know of someone that could benefit from seeing these.

Congratulations to Ms. Vo, Ms. Alia, and all the Edison students that made this project happen! We are so proud of the bilingual students at our school and the important job they did to get this information in a format that will benefit the Spanish speaking community!

La Diabetes Tipo 2 PSA from Anthony Gettig on Vimeo.

Pesticidas PSA from Anthony Gettig on Vimeo.