CREST Reinvigorated

The Center for Research in Environmental Sciences and Technologies, better known as CREST, was developed in 2002 as an environmental education center for the district. An investment in inquiry-based science learning focused on sustainability, CREST has evolved in many ways through the years. With the 2018-19 school year just a few short days away, CREST will continue to provide rich, hands-on science education for all West Linn-Wilsonville students and staff. This newsletter highlights what students and families can expect from the expanding CREST program this year.

CREST has continued to evolve over its 16-year existence, adding learning opportunities for students while routinely evaluating the effectiveness and quality of programs. That routine evaluation process included feedback from a CREST Summit this past spring that included teachers, volunteers, parents, and staff from throughout West Linn-Wilsonville.

With longtime CREST Director Bob Carlson retiring at the end of October after a prolific career in the school district, the 2018-19 year is a great opportunity for West Linn-Wilsonville to reimagine CREST for continued growth and increased student impact. The revamped CREST will include all of the experiences students have come to know and love, including new student experiences as well:

• Robust Science Fair opportunities at both the school and ISEF (International Science Engineering Fair) level. This will increase access and equitable opportunities for ALL students, providing increased and richer science fair experiences.

• Increased garden and farming opportunities as school gardens are expanded at all nine WLWV primary schools.

• Additional real-world learning experiences through partnerships with local farms and science-based organizations.

• Internship opportunities through high school studies in environmental and agricultural sciences.

• "Learning on the Go" Field Trips for primary-aged students throughout the school year.

• Hands-on summer camps for all ages

With the retirement of Bob Carlson, CREST is reorganizing functions and roles of its staff. CREST will provide rich science-based experiences through the following staff positions starting in the 2018-19 school year:

1. Science Instructional Coordinator — Filling the leadership role left by Bob Carlson, CREST's Science Instructional Coordinator will connect science learning to environmental field study. The Science Instructional Coordinator will also provide professional learning for teachers to enrich science across the district, and will also work with teachers at all levels to strengthen West Linn-Wilsonville school science fairs among other duties.

2. School Garden Coordinator — The district's School Garden Coordinator will establish and expand school gardens at all NINE of our primary schools. The School Garden Coordinator will also provide gardening consultation, expertise, and support for school staff, volunteers, and school garden clubs. The School Garden Coordinator will also work to expand garden and farming opportunities at the middle and high school level, connecting students across grade levels while helping with summer learning opportunities.

3. CREST Internship Coordinator — The CREST Internship Coordinator will work in tandem with assistant principals, teachers, the district's Director of College and Career Pathways, and others to develop internships for high school students. The CREST Internship will help provide students with hands-on learning opportunities in agriculture, environmental science, and technology-based internships. Internship opportunities will be developed so that students can simultaneously earn school credit.

CREST WILL CONTINUE TO INVEST IN FARMING

Farming and sustainable agriculture have become staples of CREST and West Linn-Wilsonville in recent years. Students will continue to receive farming education through CREST Headquarters in Wilsonville as well as school gardens.

The CREST Farm, meanwhile, will go fallow. The 10-acre site will serve as the location of a future school in years to come as the Frog Pond area develops and enrollment increases in Wilsonville.

By growing school garden programs and increasing local partnerships, students will actually have increased chances to gain hands-on experiences, learn about food creation and consumption, and engage in sustainable agriculture. Students who regularly utilized the CREST Farm will continue to get the same learning opportunities at CREST Headquarters adjacent to Boones Ferry Primary.

The District's Garden Coordinator and Internship Coordinator will continue to provide students with hands-on agricultural opportunities both during the school year and in the summer months. Primary gardens will be expanded to increase agricultural learning, and partnerships with local farming operations will be increased as well. Additional opportunities will also be created at the middle school level in future years.

CREST Harvest Festival — October 6:

The annual CREST Harvest Festival is an opportunity for all WLWV students and families to learn more about what CREST has to offer. Complete with food, agricultural tours and activities, games, and music, the Harvest Festival is the perfect fall afternoon for the entire family. Watch a video from last year's eventful Harvest Festival.

Bob Carlson Celebration — October 19; CREST Headquarters (11265 SW Wilsonville Road):

Join us at CREST Headquarters (11265 SW Wilsonville Road, Wilsonville) to celebrate Bob Carlson's retirement on October 19. There will be food and refreshments as we honor one of the founders of CREST!

CREST Director Bob Carlson is retiring in October, marking the end of a tremendous career with the West Linn-Wilsonville School District. Mr. Carlson was instrumental in CREST's formation 16 years ago and has been pivotal in creating the CREST that students know and love today.

Under his leadership, WLWV students have enjoyed all of the learning opportunities highlighted in this newsletter in addition to countless more. The embodiment of a lifelong learner, Mr. Carlson has inspired countless students to pursue careers in environmental science and other science-based fields.

Mr. Carlson will be vital to the transition to CREST 2.0 this fall, ensuring students receive the same level and caliber of science instruction that they're used to.

THANK YOU, MR. CARLSON!

The Center for Research in Environmental Sciences and Technologies is an environmental education center that serves students and teachers of the West Linn-Wilsonvlle School District. Since its establishment in 2001, CREST staff have helped thousands of students and teachers learn through field experiences, independent student research, gardening, service learning, and hands-on, inquiry-based science. CREST is a free resource for WLWV students, teachers and parents, supporting the District’s mission statement: How do we create learning communities for the greatest thinkers and most thoughtful people… for the world?

Email: kilstroa@wlwv.k12.or.us
Website: www.wlwv.k12.or.us
Location: 22210 Southwest Stafford Road, Tualatin, OR, USA
Phone: 503-673-7000
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Twitter: @WLWVdistrict