LEAP UNITS
Hands-on Learning to Reduce - Reuse Recycle
For Scouts in Grades 4-12

LEAP Units is a program of Missouri Botanical Gardens division EarthWays Center.  EarthWays supports teacher and student learning in environmental topics, emphasizing project-based student leadership development. Since 1993, hundreds of teachers and thousands of students (grades 4-12) throughout the St. Louis region and around Missouri have participated in LEAP (Leadership in Environmental Action Projects), through classroom studies, field trips and student-driven projects that measurably reduce waste, at school and in the community.

 NEW for the 2005-2006 School Year:
Opportunities for Boy Scout and Girl Scout troop involvement in LEAP UNITS!
For the first time, EarthWays Center is able to recruit scout troops as well as school classes, offering all program participants the opportunity to explore a popular environmental topic.  Waste reduction and recycling activities with scout troops will be oriented to address requirements to earn the Environmental Science Merit Badge.

LEAP Units Includes:
        A pre-field trip meeting/activity session for LEAP Units staff and scouts  
o       Learn some basics of waste reduction, and about program expectations.
        A troop field trip to a local landfill and the EarthWays Home
o       Learn Where Is Away? and find out what happens to stuff we recycle!
        A follow up meeting for scouts and LEAP Units Coordinator 
o       Review field trip experiences and plan the troops recycling action project
        Work with scouts to plan and conduct a waste reduction project
o       Options include collection drives for paper, aluminum cans, athletic shoes or used clothing, setting up a composting system and more!
        Scouts write up a project case study 
o       Summarize what they accomplished and how

LEAP Units also provides $50 as a mini-grant to buy student project supplies and the Scout Leader will receive a $50 stipend for their time and effort.

 Choose from Two LEAP UNITS Sessions
Fall 2005 (activities will occur September 12 November 18)
Spring 2006 (activities will occur March 27 June 2)

 Sign Up for LEAP Units Today!
Contact LEAP Coordinator Chris Kalter at 314-577-0207 or christopher.kalter@mobot.org.

Learn more about LEAP at www.earthwayscenter.org/leap.html