We are thrilled to announce the launch of our innovative Treehouse, a new interactive addition to the Rainforest Alliance Learning Site. Created in partnership with WNET/Thirteen, a local affiliate of PBS, the Treehouse is a space for kids to explore the wonders of the rainforest, play games and learn more about the plants, animals and people who call these ecosystems home. An easy way to bring technology into your classroom, the games are fun, content-rich and allow children to play while learning important sequencing, science and social studies concepts.

After exploring the Rainforest Alliance Treehouse, have your class design a treehouse that they would like to build using a tree from their local environment.

Ask your students to each write a short adventure story that uses their treehouse as a magic doorway that transports them to a treehouse in the rainforest.

How would the treehouse in the rainforest be different than the one in your neighborhood? In what kind of tree would you build it? What kinds of animals, insects, plants, and weather would you encounter in the treehouse?

Explore additional resources and activities to help design your treehouse.

Learn about how tree frogs find shelter and protection inside bromeliads.

This spring Scholastic announced a green edition of its ClassroomsCare campaign. 207,715 classes in the United States read more than 20,771,500 books to support Scholastic's efforts to adopt 100 acres of rainforest in Ecuador through Adopt-A-Rainforest.

As part of Scholastic's "ask an expert" section, we enjoyed answering your thoughtful questions each week and learning about all of your efforts. In addition to reading their 100 books, many participating classes decided to do a separate fundraiser to help support Adopt-A-Rainforest. Thanks to all who participated in ClassroomsCare, learned all about the Chocó forest and helped teach their family and friends about the importance of protecting forests around the world.

Keep learning and reading! Check out our bibliography for more rainforest book suggestions.

Read more about the Chocó forest.

The Outstanding Leadership in Science Education Award recognizes an individual who has made outstanding contributions to science education. The recipient will be awarded a plaque and $1,000 by the National Science Education Leadership Association. Nominations must be submitted by December 1, 2008.

The Melinda Gray Ardia Environmental Foundation offers grants to support curricula that empowers and encourages students to become involved in solving environmental and social problems. Educators in grades K - 12 are eligible to apply. Grant recipients receive $1,500 to develop environmental curricula. The application deadline is September 27, 2008.

The Toshiba America Foundation is sponsoring grants to encourage hands-on teaching of science and math. Kindergarten through sixth grade teachers may apply for a grant of up to $1,000 by October 1, 2008. Seventh through twelfth grade teachers may apply for a grant of up to $5,000 and submit an application on a rolling deadline. Projects must take place during the school year.

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