Freedom High School

2009-10 Schedule

For after school CENS activities, report to the environmental lab (room 1165) at 2:15, and plan to ride the activity bus home or have someone pick you up. In the event of rain, outdoor activities will be cancelled. You will earn activity points, so bring your documentation form with you in order to obtain signatures. Express bus activity buses run every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 4:30. CENS Activity Buses (for transfer students) run every Tuesday & Thursday at 4:30. If you participate in an activity outside of school, you must provide a one-two page summary of what you did and learned in the activity.

CONGRATULATIONS to the Center for Environmental & Natural Sciences program for receiving the Governor's Environmental Excellence Award - Gold Medal! Dr. Brademan attended an award ceremony at the Environment Virginia 2008 Conference at VMI in Lexington, Virginia on April 2nd. Congratulations go out to all of the CENS students who participate in the many science & environmental activities and community service opportunities that make the CENS program unique. This Gold Medal Award is recognition of your dedication and participation to make a difference in your school & community! Dr. B

Adopt- A- Highway Participate in this Litter Clean-Up partnership with NVCC-Woodbridge. You must give Dr.Brademan the signed permission slip in order to participate. Pick up a permission form from Dr. B or your science teacher or download from the CENS website. Time : 2:15-4:00 Day/Date: TBD

Adopt- A- School Participate in these scheduled Litter Clean-Up activities to beautify school grounds. Students should meet at the sundial. Time : 2:15-4:00 Day/Date: TBD

Adopt-A-Stream Participate in these scheduled Litter Clean-Up activities to clean up litter around the wetpond and Neabsco Creek watershed. Students should meet at the sundial. Time : 2:15-4:00 Day/Date: TBD

CENS Field Experience Earn CENS Activity Points ... A CENS field experience is scheduled for Friday, August 15th from 9:00-1:30 at Freedom HS. Students will perform macroinvertebrate surveys, water chemistry analysis, and learn about the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. All CENS students are invited to participate; although, NEW CENS students are especially encouraged to attend. Please let Dr. Brademan know if you plan to attend. Time : 9:00-1:30 Day/Date: August 24, 2009

Ecology Club Learn about conservation and ecology! Sponsor: Ms. Boyko Time : 2:15-4:00 Day: Tuesdays Room: 2205

Envirothon Team Learn about a wide variety of environmental topics and participate in the annual competition. Sponsor: Ms. Boyko Time : 2:15-4:00 Day: Every Tuesday Room: 2205

Horticulture Club Work with plants and use the greenhouse! Sponsor: TBD Time : 2:15-3:30 Day: 1st & 3rd Thursdays of the month Room:

Meadowood Monitoring Participate in a variety of ecological monitoring experiences as part of our Hands on the Land Partnership with Meadowood SMRA. Contact Theresa Jefferson, Environmental Education Specialist to find out specific dates she plans to hold monitoring activities at Meadowood. Always contact her prior to the monitoring date to confirm your attendance. Call 703-339-8473. Location: Meadowood SMRA, 10406 Gunston Rd. Lorton , VA

Native Habitat Trail Work in the native habitat trail … planting and weeding. Wear clothes and shoes that can get dirty. Time : 2:15-3:45 Day: Wednesday/Thursday Dates: TBD

Oceanography/Aquarium Club Monitor and maintain the 695 gallon fresh water aquarium in the CENS lab and explore concepts of oceanography and aquatic resources. Club sponsors: Mr. Kraut Time : 2:15-4:15 Day: 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of the month Room: 1165 (CENS Lab)

Pond Study Perform the following: water quality monitoring; macroinvertebrate survey; and plant, insect, and bird identification. To participate in a pond study activity, Dr. Brademan must have your on-site field trip permission form with parent/guardian signature. Time : 2:15-4:00 Day/Date: TBD

Science Club/Science Fair  Participate in a wide variety of science activities covering all scientific disciplines. Sponsor:  Mrs. Abu-Joudeh   Time : 2:15-3:30 Day: 2nd & 4th Wednesdays of the month     Room: 2200

Technology Student Association  Participate in computer-aided design 2D, Architectural; computer-aided design 3D, engineering; computer-aided design animation, architectural; engineering design; robotics (radio control); and technology challenge activities.   Time : 2:15-3:30 Day: Every Thursday Room: 1162/1163

Youth Ambassador's for the Environment Conference - Earn CENS Activity Points ... Be a team leader at the Youth Ambassador's for the Environment Conference. Deb Oliver, PWC Department of Public Works would like for interested students to sign up to participate in one of the following projects that will ultimately be presented at the Earth Day Festival in April 2010. Students should select one project to participate in. The projects in close proximity to Freedom HS are:Community Service at Leesylvania State Park - Leesylvania State Park is offering several volunteer opportunities to CENS students. Positions are designed with students in mind and is a great way to get involved and earn CENS activity points. No minimum or maximum hours are required so you can volunteer as much or as little as you like. The volunteer positions available at Leesylvania State Park include the following job titles: Contact Ranger, Gardening Assistant, Recycling Monitor/Educator, Visitor Center Critter Care, Canoe Tour Guide/Assistant, Trail Maintenance/Monitor Assistant, Interpretive Assistant, and Water Quality Monitor. For job descriptions, duties, qualifications, training, and time commitment see the Volunteer Position Descriptions posted on the CENS website, or ask Dr. Brademan or your science teacher for more information. Once you have identified a volunteer position of interest, contact Benjamin Palicki, Chief Ranger - Leesylvania State Park.  703-730-8205

1. Trail maintenance, rehab and improvements at Prince William Forest Park (near Quantico Creek)

2. Stream restoration, water quality monitoring and clean up along Neabsco Creek at Andrew Leitch Park

3. Trail maintenance, invasive plant removal and improvements at Metz Wetlands (Rt. 1 & Cardinal Dr. across from Leesylvania Elementary)

Mrs. Oliver would like to have several (5-6) teen leaders to head up smaller work teams at the projects and two students to document the activity and then present at the Earth Day celebration this year. Teen leaders will also attend the Youth Ambassador's for the Environment Conference at Freedom HS on Saturday, February 20th where they will work with upper elementary and middle school students who will participate in the project and develop the earth day festival display.

Once the teen leader project teams are selected, they can begin a dialogue with the local experts who will help lead the project. This is an opportunity to participate in a very worthwhile project/community service and earn CENS points! Interested CENS students should notify Dr. Brademan which project they are most interested in participating in. For additional questions, contact Deb Oliver at doliver@pwcgov.org or 703-792-6819. The conference will be held at Freedom HS on February 20, 2010.

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