Firsthand Learning

🎓We held our Closing Ceremony for our inaugural 2025 Soil Stewards Cohort at our main office in the Tri-Main Center

Students discussed and demonstrated their Capstone Project with fellow peers. There was a variety of projects discussed: creating vermicomposting bin for public demonstration, developing lesson plan and curriculum for university students, engaging neighborhood residents to learn about local soil health initiatives, and more. This culminates our virtual and in-person learning sessions. We are thrilled to see the cohort engage in their local neighborhoods and communities sharing knowledge about composting, organics recycling, and pollution prevention. Thank you to NYS Pollution Prevention Institute for the funding opportunity and the team including David at Firsthand Learning and co-facilitators Myles BFLO Worm Works and Sashti WeRadiate

Looking forward to creating future courses for soil stewardship across New York State. Rochester Institute of Technology

🌱✨ Nature's classroom in session!

Students at Buffalo Public Schools (Lafayette International Community High School #207 - New) delve into hands-on lessons that bring science and gardening to life. Activities fostering curiosity and observations are recorded and shared within our Learning Journals encouraging students to develop nature-based knowledge through experiential learning. 🌟🌿

NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration funded citizen science project invites anyone who will be within the path of totality in the U.S. to take photos of the Baily’s Beads effect, which occurs when little points of sunlight pass through the valleys in between the mountains on the edge of the Moon 🌝

Draw and sketch the shape of the sun during the upcoming solar eclipse.

Sketch the Shape of the Sun for Science During the Solar Eclipse Calling all eclipse admirers! The SunSketcher team is looking for one million volunteers to capture photos on their cell phones during the April 8 total solar eclipse. These images will help scientists learn about the size, shape, and inner structure of the Sun. This NASA-funded citizen science proj...

Home Beneath Our Feet is an organization using nature-focused curriculum to improve quality of life and seed development of children, youth, and adults. The students in their afterschool program received new Firsthand Learning Themed Journals supporting our hands-on learning approach.

Reach out to learn more about our Journal Donation Program.

Thank you to the Rich Products Foundation!🙂

Fictional Characters Themed Journal 🦸

Firsthand Learning Themed Journals encourage users to make close observations and drawings to record their questions and ideas. Our Favorite Quote from Disney Themed Literacy Day: “Mom, I need 5 more minutes please - I am exploring.” - 5th Grader

Use this journal for films, movies, or cartoons and have students develop their favorite characters, write their own stories, and describe how they interact with others. We recommend the Fictional Characters journal for 4th - 6th graders.

View more topics on our Catalogue Page. Each Themed Journal is accompanied by a brief guide with helpful suggestions: https://www.firsthandlearning.org/catalog