Student Earth Day Storytelling Project Guide Overview Earth Day (April 22), and the days or weeks surrounding it, is a time for reflection about the state of the environment, our impact on it, and how we can collectively help protect it. The modern environmental movement—widely acknowledged to have been kick-started by the first Earth Day in 1970—encourages present generations to take action to preserve the earth for future generations. One way to help capture this intergenerational environmental commitment is through the use of storytelling. This guide outlines a student storytelling project in which student journalists interview adults to find out: What are you doing—or what could you do—to help leave the natural world at least as well off as it is now for my generation? Purpose The primary aims of the Earth Day Storytelling Project are to: — Increase awareness among the student journalists and their audience of ways in which the adult interviewees are helping to take care of the environment — Increase awareness among the adult interviewees of how much the student journalists and their peers care about the state of the environment and the environmental degradation issues they will be responsible for addressing as they get older — Encourage the adult interviewees—and, in turn, the student journalists and their audience—to do more to protect the environment for their own and future generations — Build connection and empathy among interviewer and interviewee — Provide hands-on experience for students on interview techniques, recording and editing equipment, and communicating with adults and peers Resources Equipment Stories can be recorded using audio or audiovisual content, or in print, with as basic or as sophisticated equipment as is available. iPads may be available from the district. Students also may be able to use the recording and editing equipment at the new Spotify House studio at Kealing Middle School. Contact Jen Cregar at [email protected] or (512) 414-3072 for more information about loaner iPads or accessing the Spotify House.

Interview Opportunities The stories can be captured at school or in the community. Interviews may be conducted in any language; multiple languages are encouraged. Student interviewers are also invited to interview guest speakers, exhibitors, and attendees at the community-wide Austin Earth Day Festival being held at Mueller Park on Saturday, April 23, from 12-7 pm. Austin ISD will likely have a booth at the festival where student interviewers may check in and host interviews, or they’re welcome to roam the event. Students may wish to schedule interviews ahead of time with guest speakers or exhibitors. Contact Jen Cregar at [email protected] or (512) 414-3072 for help connecting with potential interviewees. Students are encouraged to develop their own interview guide or plan, but keeping the focus on the central question of: What are you doing—or what could you do—to help leave the natural world at least as well off as it is now for my generation? (Alternate wording: What are you doing—or what could you do—to help preserve the environment for my generation?) Optionally, students may ask interviewees to sign an Earth Day pledge. See Appendix A for a sample pledge. Students are encouraged to take the pledge, too. Anyone who takes the pledge is asked to share their pledge via social media @AustinISDGreen or using the hashtag #AISDGreen. Story-sharing Opportunities With interviewer and interviewee permission, Austin ISD would like to share the captured stories on the Austin ISD home page and sustainability website, via social media, on AISDTV Channel 22, and possibly through local media and community partners. Please request interviewee permission prior conducting the interview. See Appendix B for sample media consent forms. To have stories published by Austin ISD, submit stories to Jen Cregar at [email protected] by Friday, April 29. Audio, audiovisual, or written submissions are accepted.

Questions? Ideas? Contact Jen Cregar, Austin ISD Sustainability Coordinator, at [email protected] or (512) 414-3072.

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Appendix A. Earth Month Pledge

In honor of Earth Day 2016, I pledge to protect the environment for future generations by: ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ Please share your pledges on social media @AustinISDGreen and #AISDGreen.

Appendix B. Media Consent Forms

Media Consent Form

I, ___________________________________, hereby authorize Austin Independent School District and those acting pursuant to its authority, or with its permission, to interview and/or to have photographs, audio or audiovisual recordings made of me (“Media Images”). I understand that these Media Images may be released to the public by the news media or by AISD in broadcast, print, or Internet media. I also understand that the Media Images may be used by the AISD for advertising and marketing purposes. These Media Images may be used in whole or part as long as this is in effect and AISD has not received notice that this consent has been revoked. I also understand that I am not required by AISD to authorize the above consent. I further understand that my name may be used in connection with these Media Images unless I have specifically restricted such use below. (Outline any restrictions here) __________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ I release Austin Independent School District, the Board of Trustees, officers, agents and employees from any and all liability connected with capture or use of these Media Images. I waive all rights, interest or claims for payment in connection with any exhibition or release of these Media Images. I understand that this consent is voluntary and can be revoked at any time. I give my consent in the interest of public information, and for furtherance of education and the research goals of this institution or for other lawful purposes.

_____________________________________________ Signature

_____________________________________________ Printed Name

_____________________________________________ Date

Austin Independent School District Media Consent Form for Minors Minor’s Name________________________________________ Birthdate________/_______/________ Minor’s Name________________________________________ Birthdate________/_______/________ Minor’s Name________________________________________ Birthdate________/_______/________ I hereby authorize Austin Independent School District and those acting pursuant to its authority, or with its permission, to interview and/or to have photographs, audio or audiovisual recordings made of the above named minor(s) (“Media Images”). I understand that these Media Images may be released to the public by the news media or by AISD in broadcast, print, or Internet media. I also understand that the Media Images may be used by the AISD for advertising and marketing purposes. These Media Images may be used in whole or part as long as this is in effect and AISD has not received notice that this consent has been revoked. I also understand that I am not required by AISD to authorize the above consent, and that authorization is not a condition of receiving educational programming or services. I further understand that the name(s) of the minor(s) may be used in connection with these Media Images unless I have specifically restricted such use below. (Outline any restrictions Here) _______________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ I release Austin Independent School District, the Board of Trustees, officers, agents and employees from any and all liability connected with capture or use of these Media Images. I waive all rights, interest or claims for payment in connection with any exhibition or release of these Media Images. I understand that this consent is voluntary and can be revoked at any time. I give my consent in the interest of public information, and for furtherance of education and the research goals of this institution or for other lawful purposes. I acknowledge that I have legal authority to sign this form on behalf of the minor(s) named above. _______________________________________ Signature of parent or legal guardian

_______________________________________ Relationship to minor

_______________________________________ Printed name of parent or legal guardian

_______________________________________ Address

_______________________________________ Witness Signature

_______________________________________ City State Zip Code

_______________________________________ Printed name of witness

_______________________________________ Date

Last Updated 8/2012, AISD Legal Services

Consentimiento para los medios de comunicación Por el presente autorizo al Distrito Escolar Independiente de Austin y a los que actúen bajo su autoridad, o con su permiso, para que entrevisten, tomen fotos, graben audio o filmen de mí ("Imágenes de los medios de comunicación"). Entiendo que estas imágenes pueden ser publicadas por los medios de comunicación o por AISD en programas de radio o televisión, medios impresos o en Internet. También entiendo que AISD puede usar las imágenes de los medios de comunicación para propósitos de promoción y mercadotecnia. Estas imágenes de los medios de comunicación se pueden usar completas o en partes, mientras esté vigente el consentimiento y AISD no haya recibido aviso de que ha sido revocado. También entiendo que AISD no me exige autorizar el consentimiento anterior. Además, entiendo que mi nombre podría usarse en relación con estas imágenes de los medios de comunicación, a menos que yo haya específicamente limitado el uso a continuación. (Describa cualquier limitación aquí) _____________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ Yo libero al Distrito Escolar Independiente de Austin, la Mesa Directiva, los funcionarios, los agentes y los empleados de cualquier y toda responsabilidad en relación con la grabación y uso de estas imágenes de los medios de comunicación. Yo renuncio a todo derecho, interés o reclamo de pago en relación con cualquier exposición o divulgación de estas imágenes de los medios de comunicación. Yo entiendo que este consentimiento es voluntario y puede revocarse en cualquier momento. Doy mi consentimiento por el interés de la información pública y para la promoción de la educación y las metas de investigación de esta institución, u otros propósitos legales.

_____________________________________________ Firma _____________________________________________ Nombre en letra de molde _____________________________________________ Fecha

Distrito Escolar Independiente de Austin _________ Consentimiento de menores para los medios de comunicación Nombre del menor:________________________________________ FDN:________/_______/________ Nombre del menor:________________________________________ FDN:________/_______/________ Nombre del menor:________________________________________ FDN:________/_______/________ Por el presente autorizo al Distrito Escolar Independiente de Austin y a los que actúen bajo su autoridad, o con su permiso, para que entrevisten, tomen fotos, graben audio o filmen al menor mencionado anteriormente ("Imágenes de los medios de comunicación"). Entiendo que estas imágenes pueden ser publicadas por los medios de comunicación o por AISD en programas de radio o televisión, medios impresos o en Internet. También entiendo que AISD puede usar las imágenes de los medios de comunicación para propósitos de promoción y mercadotecnia. Estas imágenes de los medios de comunicación se pueden usar completas o en partes, mientras esté vigente el consentimiento y AISD no haya recibido aviso de que ha sido revocado. También entiendo que AISD no me exige autorizar el consentimiento anterior, y que la autorización no es una condición para recibir servicios o programación educativa. Además, entiendo que el nombre del menor podría usarse en relación con estas imágenes de los medios de comunicación, a menos que yo haya específicamente limitado el uso a continuación. (Describa cualquier limitación aquí) _______________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ Yo libero al Distrito Escolar Independiente de Austin, la Mesa Directiva, los funcionarios, los agentes y los empleados de cualquier y toda responsabilidad en relación con la grabación y uso de estas imágenes de los medios de comunicación. Yo renuncio a todo derecho, interés o reclamo de pago en relación con cualquier exposición o divulgación de estas imágenes de los medios de comunicación. Yo entiendo que este consentimiento es voluntario y puede revocarse en cualquier momento. Doy mi consentimiento por el interés de la información pública y para la promoción de la educación y las metas de investigación de esta institución, u otros propósitos legales. Reconozco que tengo la autoridad legal para firmar este formulario en nombre del menor mencionado anteriormente. _______________________________________

_______________________________________

Firma del padre o custodio legal

Relación con el menor

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

Nombre del padre o custodio legal en letra de molde

Dirección

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

Firma del testigo

Ciudad

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

Nombre del testigo en letra de molde

Fecha

Actualización: 8/2012, Servicios Legales de AISD

Estado

Código postal