Move Over Famous Artists! West Michigan Academy Of Environmental Science artists are taking over the spotlight! Brooke Sutherland, the school's Art Teacher, has teamed up with Artsonia, www.artsonia.com -- the world's largest online kid's art museum – to display the students' artwork.

Anyone can view the school gallery online at: www.artsonia.com/schools/WestMichigan1.  Visitors can browse the artwork in the school gallery by grade level, or by specific exhibits. West Michigan Academy Of Environmental Science students join thousands of students from over 100 countries whose artwork is showcased on Artsonia. "This program is a wonderful way to get parents and family members more involved in Art Education," said Brooke Sutherland.

WMAES is a PreK – 12^th grade public charter academy that focuses on science and the environment. Teachers weave environmental themes throughout the curriculum, including art classes. “Art is the perfect vehicle for demonstrating environmental issues and lessons,” explains Ms. Sutherland. “The students love the hands-on projects and the chance to explore their creativity in ways that bolster their other classroom lessons.”

All of Artsonia's artwork (nearly 5 million and counting!) are viewable online, and any teacher or parent can create an online art gallery for their child or school. Artsonia provides several online features such as fan clubs and personal guestbooks, as a way for families to encourage the creativity and imaginations of their young artists. In addition, family members can purchase keepsakes imprinted with the child's artwork, with Artsonia donating 15 percent of their annual product revenue back to school art programs.

Headquartered in Gurnee, Ill., Artsonia was established in 2000 as an online kid's art museum providing free, educational resources for kids, families and schools to create art projects. Since its inception, Artsonia continues to integrate technology in the classroom, develop multi-cultural understanding through art and increase family involvement in children's education. To find out more, visit www.artsonia.com.

Below is an excerpt from a letter sent from the American Red Cross regarding WMAES' recent donation of funds for Haiti.  

Dear Mr. Hahn:
With your support, the American Red Cross reaches across the globe to help vulnerable people and communities cope with extensive natural disasters, complex humanitarian emergencies and life-threatening health conditions. On behalf of the American Red Cross and those we serve, thank you for West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science' recent collection of $2,497.27 (and $50.00 in personal checks) on 3/2/2010 in support of our International Response Fund.

In coordination with the global Red Cross and Red Crescent network, the American Red Cross is currently helping survivors of major earthquakes in Haiti and Chile. Through the strength of the International Response Fund, we were able to mobilize immediately for each of these disasters, sending staff members to Haiti less than 24 hours after the earthquake and making initial commitments of financial support for both responses in Haiti and Chile. Your support ensures that survivors of these disasters and other emergencies receive critical relief supplies such as kitchen sets, hygiene kits, shelter kits and tools that restore hope for a quick recovery.  

Click here to read full letter.  

Great job to all the students, teachers and families who helped us raise nearly $2,500 for Haiti!  

On March 22nd – World Water Day – The Story of Stuff Project released The Story of Bottled Water, a 7-minute animated film, at www.storyofbottledwater.org. Hosted by Annie Leonard, the creator of the internet hit The Story of Stuff, the film was co-produced with five leading sustainability advocacy organizations: Corporate Accountability International, Environmental Working Group, Food & Water Watch, Polaris Institute and Pacific Institute. The Story of Bottled Water tells the story of manufactured demand, specifically how you get Americans to buy more than half a billion bottles of water every week when they can get it almost free from a tap.

Over seven minutes, the film explores the bottled water industry’s attacks on tap water safety and its use of seductive, environmental-themed marketing to cover up the mountains of plastic waste it produces. The film concludes with a call for viewers to make a personal commitment to avoid bottled water and support public investment in clean, available tap water for all.

The Story of Bottled Water was released on World Water Day, an annual UN-sponsored day of action to support access to clean, safe water for the world’s people. Globally, more than 1 billion have little choice but to use potentially harmful sources of water, leading to what the World Health Organization calls “a silent humanitarian crisis.” Meanwhile, many Americans, who generally have access to safe and abundant water from the kitchen tap, drink bottled water despite the enormous waste of money, energy and resources it represents. 

Check out the video at:  http://bit.ly/cIWjLo

Okay, so you tap water enthusiasts might already know most of this stuff but it's worth it to gather your bottled water-loving friends around the computer for 7 minutes to teach them just why their bottle water is so unnecessary.

Mrs. Heintskill and Mrs. Lameris second grade students are hatching eggs at WMAES. The students Science Fair project is titled; "Does the temperature affect the hatch rate on chicken eggs".  They collected eggs over three days and recorded the temperature each day and then put the eggs in the incubator and waited. Each student made a hypothesis, did some research and waited for the results.  Their findings? Only 6 out of 13 eggs hatched. Now it is time for them to figure out why by looking at their data.

Check out the video --  you won't be disappointed!