Community Supported Agriculture May 21, 2013
Posted by MrMusselman in Burlington Community.Tags: community garden
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CC: Flickr user NatalieMaynor
Where does your food come from? Such a simple question can be more complex than you think. While most everyone in Burlington has likely purchased food at one of its many supermarkets, that doesn’t answer the question. Where does all of that food come from? The answers might surprise you. Some of the food you eat may come from places you have never heard of several thousands of miles away. With food sources so far off, its tough to know what kinds of fertilizers or pesticides a farmer has used on their foods. What’s more, the cost to move that food from their field to the market can be very expensive for you and the environment!
For those looking for peace of mind, there is an alternative to supermarkets: Community Supported Agriculture or “CSA.” A CSA is a group of individuals who pledge to support one or more local farms, with growers of many fruits and vegetables sharing the risks and benefits of food production with their supporters.
CSA members pay before the growing season begins for a portion of the expected harvest. As the food becomes ripe and mature for picking they receive shares of the vegetables and fruit, delivered or picked up every one or two weeks.
Community Supported Agriculture has many benefits. They support jobs for local farmers and growers while reducing the environmental cost needed to move food from field to plate. Recently there has been a lot of buzz around CSAs (sometimes referred to as “farmshares”) around the faculty at Burlington High School. Guidance counselor, Stephanie Diozzi was kind enough to organize the collective knowledge of the BHS faculty into a go-to guide for those interested in joining a CSA. With her permission the Science Center has published her findings below!
Greater Burlington area:
Farmer Dave’s The most recommended farm by BPS faculty. “Close to organic,” almost exclusively fruit & veggies.
Boston Organics delivers. Not quite a local farm share since they offer products (and produce) from all over the world, but is a good option for people who live within their delivery areas.
Wilson Farm Lexington “Close to organic,” fruits and vegetables, fish and flower shares.
Bear Hill Farm Tyngsborough Pick up at farm. Vegetables, herbs, eggs.
Farmers to You Waltham
Dragonfly Farms Pickup in Allston, Westford, Acton
World Peas Pickup in Lowell
Ms. Diozzi ultimately went with, Misty Brook, and organic farm with a Boston-based farm share, which also sells their produce in the Union Square farmers’ market of Somerville. If you have another CSA you’d like to add to the list provided here, please share it in the comments section so we can update our list!
If you missed our post last month, Burlington has started taking its first steps towards their own community garden space. Located behind Francis Wyman Elementary School, the garden grand plans include space for a CSA and a community learning space for learners of all ages to enjoy while learning about agriculture.
Jane Lynch Honored at NSSSA Banquet May 15, 2013
Posted by bsciencecenter in Burlington Community.Tags: awards, community
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On Monday, May 5th, third grade teacher, Jane Lynch of the Pine Glen School was honored by the North Shore Science Supervisors Association (NSSSA) with the “Exemplary Science Teaching Award” during its end of year banquet at the Danversport Yacht Club. The Burlington Science Center is a member of the NSSSA and nominated Mrs. Lynch for her outstanding hard work and attention to the sciences as a classroom teacher. We are so proud of Mrs. Lynch! The Science Center appreciates her passion for teaching and her dedication to the students of Burlington Public Schools! It is our goal to nominate and honor more of the amazing teachers from all the Burlington schools in future years.
Congratulations Jane!
Spring has sprung! Luna moths are hatching… May 14, 2013
Posted by bsciencecenter in Science.Tags: insects, moths, video
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This time of year, nature is in full bloom. From flowers to frogs, the natural world is busy during the spring. The Science Center provides elementary classrooms with frog eggs, butterfly caterpillars and moth cocoons. Students learn about life cycles and metamorphosis, while being able to watch these living things grow and change right before their eyes.
Check out this video produced by Mr. Musselman, showing the exciting life of the luna moth!
Brownies receive their bug badge! April 30, 2013
Posted by bsciencecenter in Burlington Community, Science Center.Tags: community, insects
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The Science Center often shares their love of science with the Scouts of America. Ms. Pavlicek was recently asked to help out Brownie Troop #85006 at the Francis Wyman School. The troop consisted of 12 second graders, who were interested in receiving their next badge on bugs!
Ms. Pavlicek went over the basic characteristics of insects, introduced different types of insects, and how these animals can be beneficial and/or harmful to the environment. Ms. Pavlicek feels passionate about making students comfortable with all types of animal life, including bugs!
She also brought 3 kinds of insects for the students to explore and handle. Crickets, mealworms/beetles and cockroaches!
Students also learned how some insects go through complete metamorphosis (change) and how others simply molt and grow (incomplete metamorphosis).
It was a fun filled afternoon for all!
Garden Project Breaks Ground Behind Francis Wyman April 24, 2013
Posted by MrMusselman in Burlington Community, Science Center.Tags: community garden
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Planned garden location in yellow
The fields behind Francis Wyman are about to get a whole lot greener!
The Burlington Science Center, in cooperation with the Burlington Recreation Department is taking the first steps towards the construction of an agricultural center designed to benefit the children and community of Burlington. The site, approved Tuesday, April 23rd by the Burlington School Committee, currently stands as an unused three-acre plot behind Francis Wyman Elementary and the fields adjacent to Laurel Lane.
The Science Center envisions the project will evolve over several years to include community gardens, a community supported plot for needy families, a field test and training garden, and an education center. In anticipation of utilizing and developing the area next year, we will be incorporating loam and organic matter to the soil this year.
Peter Coppola, former Planning Board Member and Recreation Department Commissioner, has been asked to serve as project manager under the direction of the Science Center and will be the point of contact for this effort. Peter is a Master Gardener and has been teaching and writing on the subject of agriculture in Burlington for over ten years.
The Science Center is thrilled to break ground on this project and gives thanks to the Burlington School Committee, Burlington Superintendent of Schools, Eric Conti, and Burlington Director of Finance and Operations, Craig Robinson for their support!
Proposed garden location.
View of Francis Wyman from garden.
Loam to be spread on garden location.
Loam to be spread on garden location.
Current Laurel Lane entrance.
Frog eggs! Amphibians are amazing! April 8, 2013
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Spring is an exciting time for everyone, including wildlife! In early Spring, the forest floor fills up with water from melting snow and rain. This temporary body of water is called a vernal pool. It is a unique habitat, which supports life for many organisms, including amphibians. The amphibians seek out the vernal pools to lay their eggs inside of the water.
Watch our video below to see Ms. Pavlicek and Mr. Musselman during their egg collecting trip for the Burlington Public Schools. Each interested classroom receives 10 eggs, food and an information packet. The classrooms will raise their tadpoles and release them back into the vernal pool shortly after.
Wood Frogs use an amazing, special method to make it through the winter months. Be sure to check out the Wood Frog’s story by watching this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fjr3A_kfspM
To learn more about wood frogs:
http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/wood_frog.htm
Learn more about the many kinds of Massachusetts amphibians at the link below:
Science Center Visits the Burlington Early Childhood Center March 27, 2013
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The Science Center recently visited the Burlington Early Childhood Center to share a program on the science of reptiles and light.
Check out the “Cub Cadets” classroom blog to learn about our visit!
http://cubcadetsnews.blogspot.com/2013/03/science-center-show-reptile-and-light.html
Our Feature Exhibit called “The Science of Bears” February 14, 2013
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Every other year, the Science Center designs, develops and builds an exhibit that travels to each lobby of the elementary schools in Burlington. These exhibits are smaller, home-made versions of exhibits you would see at a science museum. The exhibits have a main theme and covers a variety of science curriculum topics to explore. Teachers can bring their classes down during the school day and students can visit the exhibit on their way to lunch or while walking through the hallway.
This years current exhibit is called “The Science of Bears.” We received a private donation of taxidermy bears several years ago and decided it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience to have these bears travel to the schools. The exhibit focuses on the natural science of bears and includes such topics as life cycles, characteristics/traits and adaptations.
Here are some students enjoying the exhibit.
Special thanks to Dennis, Diane, Steve, Matt and custodial staff for helping move the exhibit.
How Much Liquid Water in a Foot of Snow? February 10, 2013
Posted by bsciencecenter in Science.Tags: experiment, K-5, Mr. Musselman, snow, video, weather
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This past weekend’s blizzard covered New England with several inches of snow and will be remembered as one of the largest (and longest!) storms to coat Burlington in memorable history.
The snow could not have hit at a better time for our elementary schools though, as many of Burlington’s fourth graders are either wrapping up or just starting their science units on weather and climate!
A question often asked by students (and adults) is how much liquid water is there in a foot of snow? When learning about matter, students learn how matter contracts as it gets colder taking up less space, and expands as it gets warmer (taking up more space!)
But water is not like most matter. Thanks to water molecules electronegativity its molecules organize themselves into a special six-sided arrangement that produces a perceived hollow crystal interior. When ice and other forms of solid water are heated up, the arrangement breaks down, the hollow space collapses and the water “melts” into its liquid form. As you can see in the diagram below, liquid water ends up taking up less space than solid water and is therefore more dense than ice!
This phenomena has a profound effect on our Earth! Since ice floats the tops of Earth’s bodies of water freeze over while marine creatures live below. If ice was more dense (like most matter) ice would sink to the bottom, crushing marine creatures below and leaving our seas and rivers relatively lifeless!
Consider trying this experiment with your students or children and see if you get the same results! We are familiar with many different “kinds” of snow (light and fluffy, wet and sticky to name a few!) Do all of these snow types melt into the same amount of water? Does location matter? Allow your students and kids to explore the possibilities and maybe devise their own experiments!
Science Center Speaks at Rotary Club of Burlington January 30, 2013
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We would like to thank the Rotary Club of Burlington for inviting us to speak at their meeting last week.
Click here to see a picture of our visit and to explore their website.
