By Rebeca Pereira
Eight Northampton Public Schools programs have received a total $86,411 in grant funding from the Northampton Education Foundation’s 16th annual Endowment Awards, the largest disbursal awarded to the district’s schools in a single cycle. Recipient programs range from learning initiatives such as the Hitchcock Center’s Take it Outside! curriculum, which was piloted at Northampton schools last year, to nascent blueprints for experiential learning and novelty course offerings at the high school.
By Scott Merzback
AMHERST — Behaviors of squirrels and foxes, such as how the animals gather food and their methods of survival, are being featured in Crocker Farm School lessons for kindergartners and third graders. “Systems and Cycles: The Ecology of Our Own Place” is the residency program, led by an instructor from the Hitchcock Center for the Environment, that is giving about 140 children, including sixth graders, outdoor, nature-based and hands-on learning opportunities in science, engineering and sustainability. Funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s Students And Teachers working with Artists, Scientists and Scholars, or STARS Program, Crocker Farm is one of 10 area schools participating.
Hitchcock Center’s Executive Director Billy Spitzer is featured on Unscripted with Chris Forneay on Valley Free Radio.
By Scott Merzbach
AMHERST — Hitchcock Center for the Environment’s new executive director, William “Billy” Spitzer, who begins his tenure later in July, brings experience in science education, climate communication, and network building from his work for more than 20 years at the New England Aquarium.
By Kevin Gutting
AMHERST – Participants in the “Jumping Mice” group, for kindergartners and first graders, hiked to what’s known as the “Squirrel Kitchen” to enjoy some nature play during the first day of the February vacation program at the Hitchcock Center on Monday.
By Cori Urban
During Living Building tours at Hitchcock Center for the Environment, Executive Director Julie M. Johnson likes to hear young students exclaim, “That was so cool!”
By Scott Merzback Staff Writer
Already well known for its environmental education when Julie Johnson arrived as executive director, the Hitchcock Center for the Environment has attained national prominence in confronting climate change and promoting environmental knowledge — and its influence continues to grow.
February 17, 2020 Stan interviews Town Councilor Cathy Schoen and Hitchock Center Executive Director Julie Johnson about public art projects happening in Amherst. Amherst Media and former Massachusetts State Senate […]
A new program in which more than 200,000 families can receive discounted or free admission to cultural attractions across Massachusetts launched Friday at the Hitchcock Center for the Environment.
By Ahmed Abusharkh
The oceans are rising, the animals are dying, and the Earth is heating up. Young people know it. Adults know it. The politicians and millionaires refusing to address the issues know it. The question is, “Who’s going to do anything about it?” Seemingly, our hope rests on the shoulders of young people and the future generation of green leaders. They have the biggest stake in the game, given that they have to deal with whatever environmental catastrophes that are handed down to them for the longest. Even though it might not be their fault, even though they didn’t build the system that pumps out millions of metric tons of carbon dioxide annually, they’re going to have to figure this out if we want a chance at a cleaner Earth in the future. Luckily, the two Living Building Challenge sites at Hampshire College are helping sculpt the next generation of young environmental leaders who can do something about it.
Share this page with friends!
Hitchcock Center for the Environment
at Hampshire College
845 West Street | Amherst MA 01002 | 413.256.6006 | 413.253.2809 fax