The Garcia River is the connection between the coastal ridge range to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It defines our geography, follows for some distance the path of the San Andreas Fault, the rift we live with, crossing redwood forest, rolling hills and pastureland through rich flood plain to the estuary at Manchester State Beach. To follow the course of the river--with landowners and guides, guest artists and scientists as well as longtime residents--is to follow the course of our history. The river has defined the livelihoods of generations of people who have lived here--basket weavers, fishing people, loggers, ranchers, farmers. Because rivers running from the coastal range to the Pacific are a primary feature of our area--from the Russian River and the Gualala River to the South, and the Navarro, Big River, the Eel and the Mattole to the north, the issues we face today--from declining fish populations to the complexities of modern dairy farming and agriculture--are part of a larger conversation that should engage us all. Students will bring the groupÕs work back to their home schools via presentations, essays and special projects such as one high school studentÕs proposed botanical field guide to native plants in the watershed. Many other projects have been suggested by students and mentors in the program, including a gallery show of student art work and a mural. Possible summer internships may be arranged for graduates of the program with Friends of the Garcia River.

This course is designed to engage students of all ages in an exciting, intellectually intense but noncompetitive atmosphere. It seems to be particularly useful for students who have had unsuccessful experiences in a traditional classroom setting as well as for those who seek to expand or accelerate their school program. Lab experiments demonstrate use of a variety of mathematical concepts, tools and materials; in the field students are asked to use what they have learned to solve practical problems of measurement and data mapping. Students contribute to a computerized class journal, which will become a part of the class evaluation of both the river and the program. Students will also self evaluate their accomplishments and develop materials and presentations to take back to their schools, or to other sites, where there might be interest. It is hoped that some participants in this section will return as student teachers in future sections, and that these students will assist the districtÕs watershed coordinator in starting up related projects in other classrooms.

A budget for the program is included in the course brochure, which you have separately. Roughly, though, the Science/Math/Art component of the program costs between $7,000-$8,000 per 12-week session, including transportation, all materials and fees for the Math, Science and Art specialists. Additional related programs are projected to cost less, since they rely on parent-mentors and community volunteers. At some point in the future, program graduates might keep the mentor-student ratio low by returning to the program to help teach other students what they have learned.

The goal of this program is to involve as many students as possible--particularly students who need positive classroom experiences, such as home and independent study students, and students who are having some trouble fitting into their traditional classrooms--in a cross-age, cross-school learning collaborative. For this project to continue and evolve, support--both philosophical and material--from individual schools and programs is vital. Funding at present comes from funds earmarked for Watershed Science, Math and Art by the Acorn Learning Center as part of its demonstration school project. Other sources of support have included the Violence Prevention Initiative, which gave $1,600 to the summer Science, Math and Art program.

What we would like from you:

$500 toward art and science supplies. AILC will match your grant.

Thanks for your consideration. If you have any questions, please contact:

Carolyn Cooke
P.O. Box 462
Point Arena, California 95468
tel. 882-2106
e-mail: redtag@mcn.org