School Board Journal Q&A session with STEM teacher Mike Town - he's back!

At the last School Board meeting, Director Nancy Bernard announced a story in the American School Board Journal on Mike Town.  Yep!  Lake Washington School District's nationally renowned environmental science teacher Mike "is back in town!" 

Q&A with environmental science teacher Mike Town

The suit doesn’t fit Mike Town. The measurements are fine. But it feels far too constricting for this environmental science teacher from Washington state, who is more used to blue jeans. “That’s one thing I could never get used to,” Town says, tugging on his necktie. “I couldn't’t wear a suit every day.”

Luckily for Town, his business attire can now go to the back of the closet, as he returns to Redmond High School following a yearlong stint in Washington, D.C., where he served as an Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator. It was an opportunity for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teachers to inform and help shape federal policies and programs in fields touted as America’s best chance at maintaining a foothold in the global marketplace. If only more students would find the subjects appealing. Read More >>

LETTER: "STEM Education is the primary focus of my job"; will bring ideas home to RHS, By MIke Town

On April, 2010  Mike Town said good-bye to
students and faculty at RHS to work for the NSF.
 Mike and Meg will return home from D.C. August, 2011 to
 the beauty of NW mountains and rivers.  

Special thanks to a reader who asked the meaning of "STEM": Science,Technology, Engineering, and Math education.

From the desk of Mike Town...

For years I have read the Blog and this is the first chance I have had to respond to a request from Bob to update the readers on what is happening to Meg and me on our adventures in Washington DC. If you follow the blog you may know that I have taught science for 25 years at Redmond High School. Meg has taught for almost as long with the last 6 years at Redmond Junior High School. Over the past decade my main teaching responsibilities have included teaching Advanced Placement Environmental Science and a course in Environmental Engineering and Sustainability Design (which we will be offering at RHS again next year).

This year I accepted an Einstein Fellowship in Washington, DC working with the National Science Board which oversees the National Science Foundation. So last August Meg and I left our solar powered house and moved to Arlington.

The NSF, which was founded in 1950, funds a significant portion of science research in the United States. One of the agency’s mandates is STEM Education from kindergarten to the PhD level. These days STEM education reform is a hot issue. It should be. As many of you know... Read more >>

UPDATED: Notes on tonight's school board meeting

OPINION:   I walked into the School Board Chambers tonight to walls decorated with creative, colorful art drawn by elementary students from Benjamin Franklin Elementary in Kirkland.   The Principal and her staff gave glowing reports.

Award-winning Mike Town was on the agenda but couldn't make it.  His video was played. 

Three citizens spoke during the "Public Comment" period -- a Co-Chair of Lake Washington School Foundation advertising his Legacy Luncheon fundraiser, a new Council PTSA officer and myself.

Updated:  I urged the School Board (five elected officials) to work harder at selling the Capital Improvement Bond next time.  The few times Directors actively campaign are when they run for office and sell district funding measures to constituents.  Based on my observations at 4 input sessions, over 5 Work Sessions, and 4 Board meetings, the Board majority didn't appear to work hard or smart in selling the bond.  They relied heavily on a Levy Committee phone bank, chaired by Board President Pendergrass.  With the exception of Ravi Shahani and possibly Pendergrass, it appears from my polling of the Administration, that several dropped the ball.  Ravi assertively and effectively addressed the City of Redmond Council and Mayor.  He also attended a community input meeting at Redmond Junior High, though did not participate.   Clearly, Ravi demonstrates he cares about the District in which he lives - Education Hill, Redmond, WA. -- better than most.  Pendergrass met with the Levy Committee twice/month for several months.  I asked President Pendergrass to try to "speak as One Voice" in the next election (and work harder in their home-district).  Hopefully, the Board will write a joint Letter to local newspapers, attract TV media and hold a public forum.  What do you think they could do better?   Or, is something else needed?

Next, the Board reviewed an internal report on "governance process".   The results were hard "to read" and generated little enthusiasm.  However, one item kindled the Board to think about organizing additional constituent groups into a 2-way dialogue with the Board. 

Superintendent Chip Kimball gave insight into the District's budget needs.  The district will collect about $4.5 million more in the 2010-11 school year, based on the levy authorized in February’s election. That increased local levy revenue will restore the $3.5 million in state revenues lost and about $800,000 lost in federal Title I dollars. The result is a flat budget for next year.

Even though the District could collect an additional 1.5% next year from taxpayers if they wanted, Dr.Kimball recommended against it owing to survey results and the economy.  Dr. Kimball and his School Board made a prudent decision.  The City of Redmond had a similar choice last year but raised their taxes by 1% (the maximum) under the prodding of Mayor John Marchione.  Comments? 

Opinion by Bob Yoder

UPDATED: Mike Town celebrates his NEA award at Redmond High.

Redmond High teacher Mike Town receiving award from Phillipe Cousteau

UPDATED:  Excitement abounded at Redmond High School this morning.  The Performing Arts Center overflowed with students and citizens as dignitaries from the state and around the country were on hand to recognize and award Mike Town for his NEA Green Prize in Public Education.

The NEA Foundation presented Mr.  Town a $25,000 award and national recognition for his Cool School Challenge curriculum.  In addition to the NEA award, it was announced Mike won a 1-year Fellowship to work in Washington D.C. under the National Science Foundation.  His absence will be noticed in the Pacific Northwest community next year.

Through Cool Schools Challenge and Wild Sky Wilderness efforts, Town has developed strong relationships with Congressman Jay Inslee and Governor Gregoire.   A Keynote speaker, Phillipe Cousteau commented that Mike has an ability to reach out to legislatures.  "In talking to Mike last night, he knew more about congressmen and staffers than I did", said Cousteau drawing a chuckle from the audience.  Phillipe lives in D.C. and frequents the Hill.   Phillipe is Correspondent for Green Planet and the grandson of Jacque Cousteau.

Town competed with 38 applicants for the award.  Town's Cool School Challenge curriculum has helped students, teachers, and school districts from over 150 schools nationwide reduce over 1.5 million pounds of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions.  Through infrastructure changes and the students' work, Redmond High School has saved over $30,000 per year in electricity and waste costs and reduced their carbon dioxide emissions by over 200,000 pounds.

In addition to the success of the Cool School Challenge project, Town has the highest enrollment of an AP Environmental Science class in the state, with approximately half of every of the Redmond High School graduating class taking his course.  Town thanked Principal Jane Todd and acknowledged ex-Mayor Rosemary Ives for her support.    

Video clips of Mike and from Governor Gregoire were played.  Mike has always lived in small towns outside of cities.  He said "the single biggest point source for green-house gas is local high schools.  And, ""the best way of mitigating environmental problems has and always will be education."   Governor Gregoire praised Town for his work to reduce the carbon footprint at Redmond fire houses and she plans to take Mike's program to schools statewide.   

Congressman Jay Inslee will join Mike Town and other panelists in Bellingham, Saturday, May 15th to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Western Washington's Huxley College of the Environment.  Town is a graduate.  According to Manca Valum, Director of Development, Huxley is "probably the oldest college in the country with the sole purpose of studying the environment."  It was founded in 1969.  Ms. Vahum was in the audience.

The teaching curriculum can be freely downloaded from the Cool School Challenge web site.  It helps student teams gather data about the carbon footprint of each class and, based on their findings, create an action plan to reduce their impact.

Reported by Bob Yoder

Pictures by Yoder

Environmental teacher Mike Town and Congressman Jay Inslee brief City Council on student energy projects

BREAKING NEWS

UPDATED:  A video of Redmond High School teacher Mike Town and U.S. Congressman Jay Inslee addressing Redmond City Council on April 6 is here. 

Mike (on left) briefed the Council about student energy assessment projects with Redmond schools and the city Fire Department.  Redmond High with a few other schools has saved $30,000/year in energy and waste compared to three years ago.  

Under the suggestion of Mayor Marchione, Mr. Town's students audited six Fire Stations, all competing for 1st Place in energy savings.  Town said our Governor is impressed and now wants all state buildings audited for energy consumption.  The Bellevue EPA building is the first state building to be audited  for energy consumption and savings and waste.  Mike Town's students have been given the task.  

Congressman Jay Inslee proclaimed: 

"Redmond has two natural resources that have made it world famous, and that is Microsoft and Mike Town and the Redmond Mustangs."

Congressman Inslee lauded Mike Town for recently winning a highly competitive National Science Foundation fellowship to advocate in D.C.  Inslee said "local CO-2 reduction is being replicated nationally." 

Watch the video to learn more about Town and Inslee's briefing, Inslee's response to Downtown Park funding and Councilmember Kimberly Allen's remarks on reducing the city's carbon pollution.   

http://rctv.redmond.gov/ondemand/CC04062010.wmv

By Bob Yoder
Video by City of Redmond

Moving speech by Environmental Teacher Mike Town

Mike Town, Redmond High School environmental AP teacher won the "Golden Apple" teaching award this school year. Mike's grant award was sponsored by PEMCO and KCTS -9.

Many of you may know of Mike's efforts with Washington Congress members to move the state towards federal protection and conservation of the Wild Sky Wilderness Area.

Click this KTCS-9 "Share me" link for the short video of Mike's motivating acceptance speech.

Nationally renowned Redmond High School teacher Mike Town on TV this Wednesday night!

LWSD-Redmond High School Environmental Sciences teacher Mike Town (left) will appear on KCTS 9’s - 17th annual Golden Apple Awards, which airs statewide 8PM this Wednesday 2/25. Mr. Town was awarded the prestigious Stanley O. McNaughton Award for his excellence in Washington state education.

Please don't forget to tune in and celebrate our famous teacher's success this Wednesday night at 8PM on KCTS - 9.
The broadcast will include short documentary-style segments of the award winners in action and highlights of the award ceremony held at Seattle’s Intiman Theatre in January, where an array of guest speakers paid tribute to the local award winners and institutions that continually raise the standard of Washington state education. Speakers included Bill Gates Sr., Co-Chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the newly-elected Superintendent of Public Instruction, Randy Dorn, and the Lieutenant Governor of the State, Brad Owen. Maurice “Moss” Bresnahan, President and CEO of KCTS 9, and Stanley W. McNaughton, President and CEO of PEMCO Insurance, also discussed how community partnerships extend the impact of educational programs and support lifelong learning.

Mike Town, Teacher, A.P. Environmental Science, grades 11-12, Redmond High School, Lake Washington School District is known throughout his school district for his passion for environmental science. He personally advocates for all students to have access to rigorous A.P. courses and believes strongly that if a student is introduced to college course material and receives credit, the odds of them attending college will increase dramatically. Because of this, Mike opens his six A.P. courses to all students with great success; 50 percent of the student body is enrolled in his courses, and 90 percent of his students score well enough on exams to earn college credit. Outside the classroom, Mike mentors the Environmental Club, which successfully reduced the school’s carbon footprint by implementing environmental changes at the school, including solar panels, a recycling program and environmentally friendly practices in the cafeteria. Under his guidance—and starting from his “simple idea” to invigorate the student body with pride in their environment and their school”—the students launched the Cool Schools campaign. The campaign challenged teachers to reduce their classroom’s carbon dioxide emissions by 2000 pounds, with a plan to achieve a 46-ton reduction. Ultimately, the electricity bills revealed that over 72 tons of carbon dioxide emissions were prevented. This “green school” concept has been replicated at 17 other district schools and has received the Presidential Environmental Youth Award, first and second prizes in Washington State University’s “Imagine Tomorrow” contest, and entry into the Congressional record. Mike’s teaching philosophy holds that change begins in the classroom. As students become passionate and learn about combating global warming, they bring these lessons home to their families and friends.

Mike Town won the KIRO 7 $5000 environmental award!

Teacher and Environmental Activist hiking WILD SKY WILDERNESS with Senator Patty Murray

THE VOTING IS OVER! Mike Town won!!! Look for Mr. Town on KIRO 7 TV October 20th!
Wild Sky Wilderness will have $5000 additional funding as a result of Mike Town taking the winning vote for conservation excellence.

Click here to watch the KIRO 7, 30 second clip on Mike Town and the 4 other conservationists he was running against.
FROM A FRIEND OF MIKE TOWN: As some folks may know, fellow activist Mike Town is nominated for a KIRO TV Conservation Hero Award for his work on the Wild Sky Wilderness Act. Check out the video that ran on KIRO TV and vote for Mike on KIRO’s web site.If Mike wins, then the $5,000 prize he would receive would go to the Wild Sky Working Group to pay for implementation actions for the Wild Sky Wilderness (i.e., purchasing wilderness trail signs that the Forest Service will not fund, trail signs, road decommissioning elements, etc.)The Wild Sky Wilderness bill was the only wilderness bill in the entire United States that got passed in the 2008 legislative year and it added protections for 106,000 acres of public lands, streams, rivers, and countless species of endangered wildlife and varieties of rare plants.

Mike is passionate about preserving our environment for many reasons, among them the reduction of global warming by preserving our Old Growth forests and the streams that they keep healthy. Mike works with his Redmond High School students in Environmental Studies, continuing to instill the values of good environmental stewardship for future generations.Please vote for Mike Town now and tell your friends, students, teachers, neighbors, fellow workers:

Send Mr. Town your congratulations!
Mike Town, Redmond High School
425 798 4130 ext 185
mtown@lwsd.org

Opening Day of Wild Sky Wilderness - RHS Teacher Mike Town hikes in with Sen. Patty Murray

 Mike Town, left, environmental-science teacher at Redmond High School and founder of "Friends of Wild Sky" leads Sen. Patty Murray, right, and Rep. Rick Larson on a walk through Wild Sky Wilderness on Friday. (photo by Seattle Times, 5/31/08)

Wild Sky Wilderness is Washington's first wilderness area in more than 20 years. The 106,000 federally protected acres are near the town of Index, only 48 miles from Redmond, an hour away!

THANK YOU, REDMOND TEACHER MIKE TOWN, FOR 9 YEARS OF TIRELESS EFFORT AND LEADERSHIP IN MAKING WILD SKY WILDERNESS A REALITY. WE ARE PROUD OF YOU!

What did Mike Town do to promote Wild Sky and move it forward towards a federally protected wilderness? Find out HERE.
Read THE SEATTLE TIMES, 5/31/08 article "Their wildest dreams come true: Wild Sky Wilderness Opens".
Read THE SEATTLE TIMES, 5/9/08 article "Bush signs bill for Wild Sky Wilderness".

Teacher Mike Town held a key role in designating "wild Skykomish country" a Federally protected Wilderness Area

Did you hear the Wild Sky Wilderness Act passed Congress this Spring? "Wild Sky" is the first national forest wilderness designation in Washington State in 23 years. It will receive the highest protections given Federal lands. Mike Town, Redmond High School science teacher and activist was a key player in the six-year effort to pass the Act.

Mr. Town's June 14, 2003 testimony to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests tells alot about the Wild Skykomish County and Mike Town. As per his testimony, Mike has spent over 15 years hiking, sking, and snowshoeing more than 200 miles annually the Wild Sky country.

Mr. Town's opening remarks to the United States Senate Subcommittee are, as follows:

Within the boundaries of the proposed Wild Sky Wilderness are lush old
growth forests, high peaks over 6000 feet tall, breathtaking waterfalls,
1000-foot cliffs, pristine rivers and secluded alpine lakes. The proposal
protects over 25 miles of the Skykomish River, which provides habitat for
endangered species, world-class white water and renowned fishing. Other
watersheds in the proposal contribute to clean and safe drinking water for
the City of Everett and the forested slopes reduce the potential for downstream
flooding. Recreation abounds in the Wild Sky as backcountry skiers; anglers,
hunters, hikers, horseback riders and campers flock to this spectacular area.
This steady flow of visitors is critical to the economic stability of small towns in the Skykomish valley. "

Mike's testimony to the senators then goes on for pages and pages as he describes in detail the myriad of features and characteristics of the "Wild Sky" country he explored.
In an article in the Seattle P.I., 10/31/07 Mike stated:

In the past, wilderness has consisted solely of old growth forest at higher
elevations. Wild Sky protects thousands of acres of low-elevation old growth and
25 miles of salmon streams to make the land accessible for recreational use.
"This meadow country is a migration corridor that fits together with these
other wildernesses," said Mike Town, a science teacher at Redmond High School.
"We would have almost a continuous swatch of meadows across the Cascades. It
would take a lifetime to explore."

Senator Patty Murray was the primary sponsor and along with Rep. Rick Larson, the Act passed the full House 291 - 117. In Senator Murray's Press Release of 4/10/08 the following comments of Mr. Town:

Mike Town – a high school science teacher from Duvall, Washington – described
introducing his students to a wild salmon spawning site near the proposed Wild
Sky Wilderness. Because that river’s headwaters are in the proposed wilderness
area, the water is still so pristine that salmon are able to thrive. Today, it’s
one of the few places left in the Cascades where spawning salmon are still so
numerous, you could walk across the river on their backs. Mike called the river,
“one of the greatest spectacles in nature.” And he added, “I cherish the belief
that with federal protection for this area, my teenage students will have the
ability to share the experience of spawning wild salmon with their
grandchildren.”

The Washington Wilderness Coalition press release of the wilderness Act's congressional approval of April, 2008 gives details.

The Wild Sky Wilderness Act will designate 106,577 acres of national forest in east Snohomish County as wilderness. Key Facts are here. !

I spent many a summer backpacking the Enchantment Lakes of Alpine Lakes Wilderness before permits were required (because it was being "loved to death.") The Upper Enchantments were my favorite place! I can't wait to explore the Wild Sky Wilderness and find my favorite spot!

The President and Laura Bush present environmental award, shake hands and share hugs with 5 Redmond High students.

Jamie Hall, Emily Guo, President Bush, Zachary Doleac, Laura Bush, Joseph Hegge and Laura Wang on the podium in the White House Rose Garden immediately after receiving their plaque for winning EPA Region 10 President's Environmental Youth Awards.

� All these students go to Redmond High School and were part of a project promoting energy savings within the school.

� The project was named Cool Schools. http://coolschoolchallenge.com/

� It has been adopted by the many other schools in the Lake Washington School District and is being taken to the state level next year.

� Community leader and Teacher Mike Town hopes to create a national model for schools in the near future. Mr. Town was present.

View the Rose Garden award ceremony video here ! White House Press Release. 4/17/08

LWSD teacher Mike Town and 5 students receive EPA award from President Bush today!

Photos from top down - students in Rose Garden with President and Laura Bush - Mike Town walking Big Sky Wilderness with Senator Patty Murray - RHS students reducing school carbon footprint.

Read the EPA announcement HERE about the "Presidential Environmental Youth Award" given to Mr. Mike Town, Redmond High School teacher and his 5 students.

The award was 'given' today by President Bush and the EPA Administrator!

more sources go here

Mr. Town and 5 Redmond High School students are planning a trip to DC to accept a regional environmental award!

These Redmond High School students, from left, Emily Guo, Jamie Hall, Joseph Hegge, Zachary Doleac and Laura Wang were among the students who launched a program to reduce waste. Seattle Times, 11/15/2007

Dear 'Redmond Blog',

I thought you might be interested in hearing that the 5 Redmond High School students pictured above were selected by the Environmental Protection Agency as the winning school's project in EPA's Region 10.

As reported in the SEATTLE TIMES (here) ,the students launched a conservation program last year dubbed "Cool Schools." The program's goal was to reduce carbon emissions by 1,000 pounds per classroom. Students did energy audits and worked with teachers and fellow teens on how to decrease consumption and increase recycling.

The group and their high school environmental science teacher, *Mike Town will be honored at the White House in April. They will formally present their project to the EPA while they are in DC and are scheduled along with other Region winners to be recognized by President Bush or a representative of the President at the White House.

Please contact Mike Town at mtown@lwsd.org for more information. The group is trying to raise money to finance the trip as the EPA will only fund the cost of one student and one teacher. Donations can be sent on their behalf to Mike Town (Redmond High School).

Bev Doleac
One proud Parent

*Science teacher Mike Town and his students are working to lower Redmond High School's carbon emissions, one classroom at a time. Last year, their campaign reduced the school's carbon footprint by 72 tons and saved the school about $7,500 in its electric bill alone.