Greening the sphere

Greening the Sphere is an environmental education program that runs from November to May.  This program offers opportunities for kids to learn environmental problem solving, listen to special guest speakers, go on field trips, and create repurposed art.
 
Greening the Sphere began as a grassroots movement to engage the community and educate kids on environmental issues.  Shari Bitsis, founder, says the idea arose from a collective consciousness during a group meditation class that she led.  This class included visual healing work directed towards the Earth. The six core members of that class became the founding members of Greening the Sphere.
 
Today the program has a full curriculum, open to middle school children in the East Bay.  Shari describes the classes as using methods that utilize many genres, and experiential techniques that inspire whole brain creative thinking.  In the first half of the program, children use strategic questioning to explore their relationship to the planet and investigate ways to improve that relationship. This is facilitated using fun activities that incorporate art and nature into class activities.  During the second half of the program, children are asked to design an educational experience for the community.  This experience will be on display at the annual Greening the Sphere Festival.  Children are also activity involved in planning many aspects of the festival as well taking part in running it.  Last year's festival included children's activities created from repurposed materials such as soda bottle bowling.
 
While the program is only open to middle school age students, high school and college students can participate as mentors and leaders.  For more information about this program please contact Shari Bitsis at 401-465-4249.