This past Saturday (July 18) I participated in the Wonders of Water Event at the Zoo. I had a rocky start. My ohm meters which allow me to compare the electricity consumption weren’t working!! After some running around, duct tape and some very helpful Zoo employees my table was up and running. It was very similar to the Our Fragile World Event. Where I was positioned in a certain area and people were allowed to meander up and view my table and ask any questions they had pertaining to my trip or table. I love working with the public so this was a great opportunity.

Over the past few months my fellow ambassadors and myself have decided that a reunion was in order. I am delighted to say that in August some of the students that I traveled with will be joining me here in Rochester for a reunion!! I’m very excited to see them and I plan on taking them all across Rochester/Buffalo. If you have any suggestions as to where I should take then, leave me a note. I’ll keep you all updated as far as who’s coming and what we plan on doing.

~Until next time
Rachel

This week I gave a presentation to the science faculty at Rush-Henrietta High School. It was my first presentation to a strictly adult crowd. While initially I was a little unnerved, once I got going I was fine. It’s important that we educate our up-coming generations, but it is equally important to educate our current generations. It was strange as a student to be presenting to my teachers. It was kind of a role reversal. It was a success though and they might have even learned a thing or two!

Until next time

Rachel

When the Seneca Park Zoo hosted the Our Fragile World Environmental Fair I was there educating the people of Rochester about the infamous excess electricity consumption. I created a touch-table demonstrating how CFL light bulbs ALWAYS use less electricity in comparison to an incandescent bulb. I had a dimmer switch hooked up to the incandescent bulb, which allowed kids and adults alike to adjust the flow of electricity to the bulb. People were surprised to see that the CLF bulb uses significantly less electricity, and when I told them the effects of using too much electricity the were flabbergasted. I got to move outside of my usual setting of classrooms and head outside and interact directly with the public. I feel like I really got my message to a large portion of those who attended the fair. Overall it was a rousing success!!

Till next time

Today was a great day. I went to Bath Haverling Central School District to give a presentation. I talked to over 900 kids/young adults today! They were a great group of students. The fifth grade classes are planting trees tomorrow in honor of Earth Day. This is one of the easiest and effective ways to reduce your carbon footprint. They had insightful and creative questions after the presentation. This district is speaking out against global warming and making a difference! The kids are even raising money to adopt a endangered species. Their unlimited goal?…. a Polar Bear! Over all this was a terrific presentation to a wonderful district. Coming up next is Sherman Elementary school in Rush-Henrietta.
~Rachel

I received some great news this week. A call in Bath that I’m visiting was selected by Cornell University to participate in a project called “Home Tweet Home.” It involves a study of how global warming affects birds! So they’re particularly ‘primed’ for my presentation.

I went to Sherman Elementary school to talk to some fourth and fifth graders and that presentation went really well.

I’m continuing work on my touch table. Its really coming along nicely and I’m looking forward to reveling it. Don’t forget Earth day is coming up soon. Earth resolutions are a great way to commemorate our earth and all it provides for us.

Until next week,
Rachel

Hey Everyone,

Although I haven’t done a presentation this week, I’ve still been pretty busy! In less than a month Earth Day will be here! This provides the perfect opportunity for me to try and get the word out about Global Warming and my theme this year “Every Little Thing Makes a Difference.” Working along side my teachers and the Seneca Park Zoo, I’ve started to plan my Zoo touchtable. I don’t want to give too much away, but I can assure you that it will be both interactive and informative. If you want to know more you’ll have to come to the Seneca Park Zoo and see for your self.

See you soon Rachel

Happy March!

I had a great week! I did my first presentation at a Buffalo area school; I went to the Iroquois Central School District last week. I did three presentations in the intermediate school. The students asked great questions and I enjoyed the opportunity to meet teachers and students in that area. I am also working on my Girl Scout Gold Award. I have been in Girl Scouting since Daisy Scouts (kindergarten). I would love to include the Scouts in the effort to preserve the polar bear. Our environment, and other endangered species.

I also have decided to attend RIT in the fall. I will be majoring in Environmental Science. I’m so excited to be able to learn more about our environment and hopefully continue to make a difference. During this time of college decision making, I reflect on the impact my trip to the Arctic has made on my life. It has been huge. I am so thankful for the opportunity I have been given and hope to make the most of my Arctic experience and my education.

Happy spring!!!
Rachel

Hi Everyone,

I had an awesome week. I got to reconnect with two Arctic Ambassadors, Molly, from Rhode Island and Molly, from East Aurora, NY. We were able to meet for lunch and I met their families. We had a great time comparing notes about what we’ve been doing since we’ve returned to our home towns.

Recently I went to Leary Elementary School and gave presentation to a group of third graders — I really enjoyed it. Throughout the discussion, the students asked a variety of excellent questions about the bears and global issues. Here are some of their notes they sent to me after their class. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Hi everyone!

I’ve been pretty busy lately! I’ve scheduled a lot of school visits around Monroe County. I spoke to the “Critter Club” at Roth Middle School, Rush-Henrietta, CSD. And I also went to be at Cosgrove Middle School in Spencerport. I am also visiting the Bath School District and Leary Elementary School (RH). Scheduling is proving to be a complicated matter, since I will be making college visits. I am trying to determine which college to attend. I have been accepted at Penn State; Mansfield, Canton; and Stevens. I am awaiting notification from RIT. I am going to major in Environmental Engineering; I know it will be a difficult decision. I am heavily involved with track and field, outdoor track and cross country for Rush-Henrietta, so hopefully I will be able to participate in athletics as well. I would love to hear from some alumni! Any suggestions?

I have been in contact with some of the other Polar Bear Ambassadors. I just got a letter that my friend Molly (Rhode Island) is coming to visit her brother (who goes to RIT).  Since I’m right down the road, we’re going to hang out when she gets here. I’m going to see if the other Molly (East Aurora, NY) would like to come for a visit as well. Who knows — we’ll have one big reunion party and visit the Seneca Park Zoo! I think that would be a lot of fun. It hard to believe that only three months ago I was in Churchill. I wish I was back there!! Although the next few days temperatures seem to reflect the Arctic! So make like a polar bear and enjoy the winter!

Stay warm! Until next time,

— Rachel

A polar bear wanders around Churchill

This has been a very busy week! One of my teachers put me in contact with someone at BOCES. Through this contact, my invitation to visit classrooms and discuss my Arctic Adventure was distributed. In one week, I received SEVEN invitations from middle and elementary school in Webster, Spencerport and Rush-Henrietta. Wow – I’m pretty excited about this opportunity to share what I’ve learned, help the polar bears, and the environment.

Enjoy a safe holiday season and start to think about how you can make an environmental difference in 2009!

See you later!

~ Rachel Zoyhofski