Session C 10:10 – 11:10 a.m.

Midori Oka: Of Ceremonies and Celebrations: Shinto and Buddhism in Japan

This presentation will introduce a variety of Japanese traditions associated with the
two most prominent religions of Japan: Shinto and Buddhism. It will be revealed
that to this day, the practice of these religions is interwoven with an endless array of
Japanese ceremonies, celebrations, rituals, and art. Following a brief introduction of
the religions, different celebrations and ceremonies will be introduced within a
popular Japanese framework, the four seasons—spring, summer, fall, and winter.
The presentation will conclude with a reading of Hats for Jizo, a kamishibai read on
large storycards. Literally meaning “paper theater,” kamishibai were popular in Japan
up until about the 1950s. Related art activities for the classroom will also be introduced,
including creating kamishibai stories.

Museum curator and educator, Midori Oka teaches widely about the art and culture of Japan to children of all ages, adults, and to museum docents. She is a doctoral candidate in the department of art history at the University of Kansas. A specialist of later Japanese painting, her research interests include the influence of western art in Japan, namely during the Edo period (1603-1867). Her exhibition, Stage Idols: Japanese Kabuki Theater is on view at the Peabody Essex Museum until early February 2009. Midori also performs as a storyteller at the museum, creating intriguing stories by incorporating Japanese gallery display objects into her stories.

Rachel Borgesano: Earthwatch Climate Change Research: How You Can Make a Difference

A brief overview of Earthwatch Institute’s mission and implementation will begin the presentation. I will highlight three of our climate change research expeditions in the Artic, Iceland, and New England. To close I will highlight the several opportunities available to independent schools as well as an in-depth portrayal of the Earthwatch volunteer experience in Brazil.

For almost four years, Rachel Borgesano has been supporting Earthwatch Institute’s educational mission through its Independent School Program. This innovative program allows teachers and students all over the globe an opportunity to work with scientists in the field. As a graduate of UNH’s environmental studies program, Rachel has held several positions in higher education fostering environmental initiatives in New England.

Chris Bicknell and Hugh Montgomery: Engaging Young People in Hands-on Service to the Land in NH and Across the Country: The Student Conservation Association

In this session learn how young people from our state are being engaged in great conservation, restoration, and other projects across the country through SCA. Also learn about the 30 young people from all parts of the country who come to NH for a 10-month residential program based in a camp facility in the heart of 10,000-acre Bear Brook State Park. These 30 people perform direct hands-on service while building their leadership skills and developing their ethic of service and citizenship. We will share some of the lessons SCA has learned over its 50-year history and talk about the trends we are seeing today in engaging youth in conservation work and the outdoors. How do climate change and “No Child Left Inside” relate? In a growing
digital age with text messaging, instant messaging, etc., upon us, do young people actually want to spend weeks “disconnected” and performing hard physical labor?

Chris Bicknell grew up at Sant Bani School (class of 1987) and went on to attend Middlebury College. He returned to Sant Bani as a teacher, coach, service coordinator, and bus driver, then got involved in development. He went on to law school at Fordham University in New York City where he then worked in the field of Trusts and Estates. Returning to NH he worked with SBS parent Scott Beane at Dana S. Beane & Co. and then headed back into fund raising with a national consulting firm. He now works with the SCA at the national headquarters in Charlestown, NH where he is Director of Development and manages a team of development professionals spread throughout the country. Chris is an alumni representative on the SBS Board of Directors.

Hugh Montgomery attended Phillips Exeter Academy on his way to Middlebury College. He began working at Middlebury in their development office soon after graduating and then made his way to the Putney School in VT where he was Director of Development for a number of years. His former headmaster retired to raise funds for the SCA and after several years left a vacancy at SCA that Hugh filled. Hugh has been working as the Director of Planned Giving at SCA for many years now and serves on the Board of the Planned Giving Group of Northern New England. Hugh’s two daughters attended SCA programs.

Jon Martin: Basic Forest Ecology (for Elementary)

Come learn the basics of forest ecology using our local habitat here on the grounds. Open up a new world to your students and help them see their role within this community.

Jon Martin has been working locally as a forester for about eight years. He has also done school presentations in local elementary and high schools as well as Boy Scout troops. He is a supervising member of the Belknap County Conservation District and the NH Timber Harvesting Council.

Rose Marie Marinace: Technology and the Developing Brain

Computers and electronic gadgetry are everywhere in modern culture, and are sold to parents both as pacifiers and educators for their children. Can these children simply USE technology, or will they be the kind of student who can create and solve the problems of our future? Come for a survey of modern authors on the subject and the conclusions they lead to.

Rose Marie Marinace has been a teacher at Sant Bani School for 14 years and is certified in Social Studies 5-12. She teaches Study Skills and computer skills in the middle school, and Modern World History, US History, Economics, and Dance in the high school.

Ethan Danahy: Improving Education Through Engineering: Bringing Engineering Concepts into the K-12 Classroom

Over the last ten years the Center for Engineering Educational Outreach at Tufts University has worked at “improving education through engineering” via tool and curriculum development, engineering education research, and community outreach/professional development. This talk will give an overview of our efforts, highlighting the difficulties we have overcome and the successes we have had, while providing concrete examples of engineering educational methodologies and techniques that are applicable at all age ranges from kindergarten to grade twelve.

Ethan Danahy (SBS ’96) received the B.S. and M.S. degrees in Computer Science in 2000 and 2002 respectively, and a Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering in 2007, all at Tufts University in Medford, MA. He currently holds the position of Director of Tool Development at the Center for Engineering Educational Outreach within the Tufts University School of Engineering, where he manages tool development projects while researching innovative and interactive techniques for assisting teachers with performing engineering education and communicating robotics concepts to students spanning the K-12 through university age range.