Disney Planet Challenge

Over the weekend my in-laws were in town to celebrate Christmas (we have to start early to fit everyone in!). My brother-in-law and his girlfriend are going to Disney World in a few weeks with her family, so I thought it was interesting when I got an email from Kiwi magazine about something called the Disney Planet Challenge. For this project, sponsored by Disney, "Students select an environmental issue that they can research and investigate and on which they can take local action. A class project usually takes 2-5 months to complete. The completed project is submitted as a DPC hard copy or digital portfolio, which documents the goals, experiences, student and teacher reflections, and artifacts of the work."

I think this is a great way to show kids that they can make a difference. Beyond that, I read more about the instructional goals of the project and, being a teacher, LOVE the concept and think it's very educationally sound!
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Disney’s Planet Challenge (DPC) Elementary School program is a FREE project-based environmentally-focused national competition for 3rd-5th grade students (for grades 6-8 see DPC Middle School). Designed in conjunction with NSTA and WestEd/K-12 Alliance, DPC is a unique chance for teachers to blend standards-based content, critical thinking skills, and environmental principles in a class project that moves students from awareness to action for a positive impact on their community.

The Class Project builds on sound scientific understanding, and integrates English/language arts, and mathematics, while providing opportunities to incorporate technology and the visual and performing arts. Teachers enroll their class in DPC; however, it is the students who initiate, develop and implement all parts of the project. Research indicates that this type of interactive, collaborative, student-centered environment makes learning meaningful for all students."

I LOVE this. Disney, when are you going to come up with this for preschools so my class can participate!?