Art On Wheels Environmental Education
Painting With Pat connects kids to nature and wildlife through the ARTS!
We engage children in art projects that makes them aware of wildlife conservation and endangered species the world over which in-turn gives the children a "voice" through their artwork to make their family, friends and community more active and aware of wildlife conservation and endangered species.
Whether we are fighting for the polar bears in Alaska or the migrating birds that fly through your backyard. We give the kids an opportunity to connect to wildlife through the arts, allow the kids to create a friendship with wildlife, fall in love with wildlife, and then we can ask the kids to help us save the wildlife!
"The real beauty of the PWP programs, through its emphasis on the environment and ecology, students learn math, science, and social studies while enjoying the benefits of art."---say school staff members of Ingram Sowell Elementary in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee,
"Sounds like 'Painting With Pat, Inc.' has come up with all sorts of new and artistic ways for students to express their creativity while focusing on wildlife and endangered species. Good luck with all the projects."
-- Diane Hendry, Outreach Coordinator, Red Wolf Recovery Program, Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge--
"Thanks for speaking up for legislation to provide environmental education to our young people and protect our valuable watersheds and wildlife." --Julia Marden, Online Grassroots Coordinator, National Wildlife Federation
Many of the world's species are in danger of extinction. A number of these threatened species are cared for by our partners, The Australia Zoo and Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors, Red Wolf Recovery Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Georgia Sea Turtle Center, Jekyll Island, GA, Kentucky Down Under Animal Park, Memphis Zoo and the Tennessee Aquarium. You can help Painting With Pat fight for wildlife conservation around the world,'Connecting Kids to Wildlife through the 'ARTS', by sponsoring one of our vital conservation projects!
Conservation project sponsorships make great gifts too! By sponsoring one of Painting With Pat's conservation projects, not only do you have the satisfaction of knowing you are making a difference---you will also receive gifts of appreciation according to the level at which you sponsor.
A $50.00 Sponsorship:
- Official Certificate of Sponsorship
- Photo of the conservation project animal
- Fact sheet on the conservation project
Wildlife Extinction Awareness Program
Red Wolf Recovery Program
"I've tracked them, fought them in a film (Jeremiah Johnson), and narrated a Natural History Museum recording of their language. I know this much. They are much misunderstood, but they are smart, cunning and important to the overall balance of our threatened ecosystem. They are more than worth preserving. --Robert Redford--
Red Wolves are endangered animals. A long time ago, red wolves were almost hunted to extinction. The last 17 wild red wolves were taken to zoos to live safely. In captivity, they had many pups. When there were enough red wolves living in captivity, scientists returned four pairs of red wolves to the wild in North Carolina. Today, the Pocosin habitat and farm field of northeastern North Carolina are home to the only wild population of red wolves anywhere in the world! There are over 100 red wolves living in North Carolina and 150 red wolves living in captivity across the country.
The red wolf, Canis rufus, is one of the two officially recognized species of wolves in North America. The other is the gray wolf, Canis lupus. Red Wolves are intermediate in size between the larger gray wolves and smaller coyotes. the average adult red wolf weighs from 50 - 80 pounds, stands about 26 inches at the sholder and is bout four feet long from the tip of the nose to the end of the tail.Red wolves have tall, pointed ears, long legs, and large feet. they are mostly brown and buff colored with some black along their backs. Typically there is a reddish color behind their ears, on their muzzles and along the backs of their legs.
Our 'Critter Crate' contains a variety of specimens of endangered and threatened animals that helps to explain to kids why animals are going extinct. Specimens includes a 20 feet-long python snake skin, a purse made from a lizard hide,(head, forearms and hind legs in tact) a purse and shoe made from a crocodile hide, a shoe made from a monitor lizards's hide, and elephant tusk ivory carving, a billfold made from a caiman's hide, a boot made form a green sea turtle hide and a hair clip made from a green sea turtle's shell. Students benefit not only by learning about world-wide endangered animals, they learn about endangered species here in Tennessee.
Our 'Critter Crate' is supplied to us by one of our many partners,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge
How you can help Red Wolves:
DRIVE SAFELY
Red wolves need a lot of habitat to live. They have to cross roads and canals to find enough food to survive. Pay attention while driving.
KEEP THE ROAD CLEAN
Food and trash thrown from vehicles attracts wild animals to roadsides. These animals can be injured or killed by vehicles. Save red wolves and other wildlife----don't litter!
LEARN
Learn about wildlife and enjoy sharing the world with wild animals. All wildlife, including red wolves, should not be approached in order to avoid injury to the animal or the people involved.
Painting With Pat is working with several schools developing environmental education within their curriculum. Studies show that schools that use PWP Environmental Learning produce significant student gains in art, social studies, science, language arts and math. One 2005 study by the California Department of Education found that students in outdoor science programs improved their science testing scores by 27%.Children in the 'Growing Up Green', Environmental Education program show improvement in self-esteem, problem solving and motivation to learn
Who benefits from 'Growing Up Green', Environmental Education?
Children develop knowledge and skills as they undertake exciting, real-life projects motivated by the arts. By cross-curriculum learning through the arts, students study science, math and related subjects, students an connect ot their local environment and become stewards of their community's natural resources.
'I feel that our students here at Southside Elementary School, will benefit not only by learning about endangered specie here in Tennessee, yet they will also learn how to protect our environment and its inhabitants, how to work cooperatively in a group, and they will learn about art production process of two large mosaic sculptures. During the course of this project students will experience a wide cross-curriculum environment, integrating science, social studies, reading, geometry, art, and life skills. In sum, I feel that this project will be an all around great experience for the students at Southside Elementary School, by helping them to grow in many diverse ways, while participating with the Pulaski, Tennessee community at large.'--- Matthew Orgeron, Art Teacher Southside Elem.
4'x4' tile mosaic
Email PWP
If you would like for your school to create a mosaic or for more info about the PWP projects.
Green Sea Turtles are a threatened species. In Florida and on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, the green sea turtle breeding colony populations are listed as Endangered!
Green Sea Turtles are hunted to be made into soup, but that's not all. They're also killed for their skin, and for their oil.
Green Sea Turtles got their name because they're green, of course. but why are they green? The body fat of the sea turtles are green, because the sea grasses or algae they eat are green.
Adult Green Sea Turtles have very few enemies. Sharks and Humans are their main two predators!
The Green Sea Turtle Mosaic is part of the 'Growing Up Green' Environmental Education Program like the Red Wolf Mosaic. Painting With Pat will come to your school with all the necessary materials and education materials needed for the project! We are working with several schools through Tennessee, Alabama, and Missouri at the present time, and we would love to come to your school.
How you can help Green Sea Turtles:
- When you go into the ocean do not chase after the green sea turtles. They will actually come to you.
- Touch only with your eyes.
- Take nothing away from the green sea turtle's home, except debri left by other people.
- Never feed wild creatures, this interferes with their food chain and the balance of nature.
- Avoid polluting the water by wearing a rash guard or T-shirt to protect you skin.
- Defog your mask with baby shampoo or natural toothpaste.
Painting With Pat creates animated baby sea turtles with the kids for them to develop a better understanding of how baby green sea turtles motivate across the sand after they hatch and then swim in the ocean.
The teachers that participate in the Painting With Pat Environmental Ed Program always receive an Official Certificate of Participation & Environmental Lesson Plans!!!
Above are photos of kids working on their 4'x4'; Green Sea Turtle Mosaics. When completed the mosaic will be placed in the school's out-door classroom!
Coral Bay, Western Australia, is a great place to see green sea turtles, which nest between November & February!
Trees Are Alive!!
How important is it to plant as many trees as we can?
Trees Keep Us Cool and Save Energy....the net cooling effect of a single young, healthy tree can be equivalent to ten room-size air conditioners operating 20 hours a day!
Trees Clean The Air We Breathe...just one acre of forest can absorb six tons of carbon dioxide and puts out four tons of oxygen.....enough for 18 people for a whole year!
Trees Relieve Stress...a study at Texas A&M University showed that visual exposure to setting with trees produced significant recovery from stress within five minutes, as indicated by changes in blood pressure and muscle tension!
Trees Add Value To Our World... figuratively and literally. While we can't put a price on the sheer beauty of a tree or the song of a bird it may attract, we can say this: Healthy, mature trees add 10% or more to a property's value!
Trees Are Our Future..... we all need trees to help clean the air, filter the water, prevent the soil from eroding and provide homes for countless species of wildlife!!
Painting with Pat's 'Growing Up Green', programs contribute to the overall potential, and happiness of our children.
Painting With Pat is a unique, one of a kind, art educational organization with a wildlife twist! Our curriculum and activity guides have been designed to be an instructional resource combining art, wildlife, and environmental conservation. We take the kids beyond the walls of the classroom.
The teachers that participate in the Painting With Pat Environmental Ed Program always receive an Official Certificate of Participation & Environmental Lesson Plans!!!
If they participate in the 'Trees Are Alive' program, they also receive a young tree for their class to plant near the out-door classroom or 'green-space' of the school!
Painting With Pat's Growing Up Green Environmental Ed Program, 'Trees Are Alive', we teach students that recycling is fun as they transform ordinary scrap paper into beautiful creative handmade paper or paper sculptures. The students count growth rings in tree cookies, learn to identify trees and leaves, understand that a tree is a living object that has a life cycle in a habitat which crates a habitat for many other animals, insects and plants. The students meet Smokey Bear and Forestry Agents in an informative presentation, create leaf rubbings, and experience the art of leaf printing!
If you would like for Painting With Pat to bring this program to your school, Click Here!
Painting With Pat had a great time meeting all the Moms, Dads and Kids and teaching you how to make organic paper in Nashville, Tennessee, Saturday, April 18, at Earth Day '09!
Junior Duck Stamp Program
A dynamic art and science program designed to teach conservation to students using scientific and wildlife observation principles.The students communicate visually what they have learned by creating a watercolor painting and submit it as an entry to the Junior Duck Stamp art contest.
This non-traditional pairing of subjects brings new interest to both science and the arts. It crosses cultural, ethnic, social, and geographic boundaries to teach greater awareness of our Nation's natural resources. Students will enhance observation skills, color mixing skills, watercolor application techniques, drawing skills and gain a better understanding of the art elements and principles.
The class is aligned with TN State Standards and structured in a manner so it can be conducted during a science class period as part of the students' regular class period school day.
Mr. Marcus, Ingram Sowell Elementary School, participated in the 2009 -2010 Junior Duck Stamp Program. He was awarded a certificate of participation and a Notebook filled with 'Environmental Friendly' Lesson Plans. by our Regional Director, Donna!!
The Junior Duck Stamp Program is based on the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, commonly known as the "Duck Stamp". Federal Duck Stamps are pictorial revenus stamps not valid for postage. Created in 1934 as the federal migratory waterfowl hunting license and as a way to help fund the purchase and conservation for our Nation's wetlands.
Painting With Pat is partners with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and TWRA
Steve Irwin was just one man, but he made a wonderful, positive impact in the lives of kids and adults around the world.
Steve Irwin Day on 15 November is an international and annual event to celebrate the extraordinary life of the one and only Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin.
The day represents the many things Steve was passionate about:
Family, Wildlife Conservation and Fun!
Painting With Pat, Inc. holds the same beliefs. Pat, a wildlife artist, wildlife conservationist, art instructor, and co-founder of Painting With Pat, recognizes the need for children to 'get up, get moving and get reconnected to nature and wildlife.
Our youth today is spending less and less time outside than ever before. They are becoming disconnected with the natural world and connected with a universal world of communication and entertainment. Electronic devices, attached to the arm, in the ear or in the hand is a necessity for casual attire for young people today. Being universally connected isn't a bad thing, but the youth is missing out on the natural world and we need the youth connected to nature and wildlife.
They blossom and grow when they connect to the natural world. The connection creates a calmness and normalcy within their lives.
Nature's palette is over flowing with sights, sounds, smells that saturates the creative side of all of us! If we can only get the kids out in nature to create art and experience nature's palette--they will take the experience into their hearts and voluntarily become guardians of our precious wildlife and the natural world through the arts!
Out-Door Classrooms or School Green Space!!
Painting With Pat help schools to establish 'Out-door Classrooms!!
And Environmental Education Programs for 'Out-door Classrooms!!
'Environmental Learning', 'Growing Up Green' in the schools?
Studies show that schools that use 'Environmental Learning' produce significant student gains in art, social studies, science, language arts, and math. Children in the 'Growing Up Green, environmental education show improvement in self-esteem, problem solving and motivation to learn Research also show that outdoor experiences motivated through creative art projects help reduce negative stress and protect psychological well being, especially in children undergoing stressful life events.
Email Painting With Pat at: connect@paintingwithpat.org
if you would like to ask about establishing an Out-Door Classroom
Claymation Metamorphosis
On-Site Conservation/School Programs
Green Sea Turtle Mosaic
On-Site School Program
- Raises Environmental Awareness
- Nurtures appreciation for nature
- Builds new vocabulary
New Vocabulary
- Claymation
- Metamorphosis
- Pupa
- Caterpillar
- Animation
- Storyboard
- Sequence
Student Activities:
(ART + Science + Technology)
- Starting with a storyboard plan, students will build characters and film their actions one frame at a time with a digital camera.
- The frames will then be assembled in a software program and played in succession without time lapse between them to make a movie. This project connects visual problem solving with a familiar scientific theme, metamorphosis of a butterfly.
- Students will learn to communicate their ideas and imagery through a visual technique popular with mass media.
- Student will gain an understanding of the planning and production required for claymation animation.
- Students will be able to connect their ideas and visual art skills to communications in other subjects, such as math, science, and literature.
Class time required: (90 minutes class)
Max student number for one class (one grade level) 20 students.
Painting With Pat will supply all materials necessary for the class.
Class will receive a CD Claymation of their work to keep, students will get to keep their clay characters, and teachers will receive a certificate of participation
School Payment Fee: $300.00 for one class or 3 classes of the same grade level: $500.00(add $175.00 for each additional class of the same grade level)
A Virtual Tour of The Cave of Lascaux
Painting With Pat takes the kids beyond the classroom walls to view prehistoric paintings in the 'Lascaux Cave' located in France!!
The discovery of the monumental Lascaux Cave in 1940 brought with it a new era inour knowledge of both prehistoric art and human origins.
New Vocabulary
- Paleolithic
- Mesolithic
- Neolithic
- Media
- Artifacts
- Stylizing
- Profile
- Low Relief
Student Activities
- Students will take a virtual tour through the cave of Lascaux and view the vivid paintings on the cave walls left behind by Paleolothic people who lived in close harmony with thier environment
- Students will discuss art media used by the cave artist that can be found in the environment today? (example: chalk rock, charcoal, plant ink, etc.)
- Students will discuss the discovery of the prehistoric cave and why cave artists created the paintings.
- Students will create their own cave art on a simulated cave bear hide with real charcoal (they can examine and see real wood grain), just lide the cave artist!
The students will see on their tour:
The Hall of Bulls
Unicorn Panel
Panel fo the Black Bear
Ceiling of the Red Cows
Chinese Horses
Great Black Bull
Falling Cow
The Red Panel
Upside down Horse
Black Cow
The Figures
The Crossed Bison
Class time is approx. 1 hour and a half (90 minutes)
Class Max student number for one class (one grade level) 20 students
Painting With Pat will supply all materials necessary for the class.
School Payment Fee: $300.00 for one class or 3 classes of the same grade level: $500.00 (add $175.00 for each additional class of the same grade level)
Egyptian Hieroglyphics
'Egyptian Hieroglyphics' provides the students with a hands-on look at the creative language and life of the ancient Egyptians.
New Vocabulary
- Hieroglyphics
- Pyramid
- Cartouche
- Pharoah
- Stylization
- Profile
- Papyrus
- Sarcophagus
Student Activity
Students will be introduced to the crative world of the Ancient Egyptians with handouts and discussion. New vocabulary will be reviewed. Ancient Egyptian art style will be demonstrated. Each student will receive a sheet containing the Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphs with the English Alphabet Reference. Students will create an Egyptian Cartouche displaying their name in Hieroglyphs on traditional handmade paper.
Class time is approx. 1 hour and a half (90 minutes)
Class Max. student number for one class (one grade level) 20 students
Painting With Pat will supply all materials necessary for the class. Students will have the opportunity to keep the Egyptian Cartouche they created during the PWP Class and the Egyptian Hieroglyphic Alphabet Sheet.
School Payment Fee: $300.00 or 3 classes of the same grade level: $500.00 (add $175.00 for each additional class of the same grade level)
String Mosaic, 'Tennessee State Flower the 'Iris' !!
The Iris (genus Iridaceae) was designated as Tennessee's State flower in 1933. Ther are about 170 species of Iris and they come in many different color. While state legislature did not name a particular color, the purple Iris is considered locally to be the state flower
- Raises Environmental Awareness
- Nurtures appreciation for nature
- Builds new vocabulary
- Enhances Social Studies/History
- Creates a connection to their state & local environment.
New Vocabulary
- Species
- Perennial
- Mosaic
- Texture
- Symbol
- Abstract
- Negative Space
- Positive Space
Student Activities
- Students will enhance their knowledge of the Tennessee State Flower, the Iris, with a hands-on string art mosaic project!
- It is a group activity that develops social skills, art skills, and a connection to their state and local environment.
- Each child will be responsible for crating a block of the mosaic using colored string as the medium. When all the pieces are assembled together the mosaic will form the "IRIS"!
- The size will be approx. 3' x 2' and can be displayed in the classroom.
Class time is approx. 1 hour and a half (90 minutes)
Project fee: $1800.00
Print Making from Nature
Students will be introduced to the exciting art of 'Printmaking'!
Prinmaking from Nature program creates an awareness and a deep appreciation for the precious plant and animals that live on the earth with hands-on, adventurous, exciting art applications.
New Vocabulary
- Print Block
- Printing Ink
- Print
- Brayer
- Negative Space
- Positive Space
- Texture
- Relief Print
- Monochromatic
Student Activities:
- Designing, crating and using Print Blocks to create prints.
- Students will create a gorgeous design with nature and wildlife as a theme transferred to a print block. Students will understand the concept of 'negative and positive' space, as they press the image that they have designed into the print block with a stylus. Ink will be applied with a brayer to the print block and then the image will be printed on special Painting With Pat paper!
Class time is approx. 1 hour and a half (90 minutes)
Class Max. student number for one class (one grade level) 20 students
Painting With Pat will supply all materials necessary for the class.
Students will have the opportunity to keep the prints they create during the Painting with Pat Class.
School Payment Fee: $300.00 or 3 classes of the same grade level: $500.00(add $175.00 for each additional class of the same grade level)
The Unseen World, 'Who Went This WaY?'
On-Site School Program
- Raises Environmental Awareness
- Promotes habitat conservation
- Nurtures appreciation for nature
- Inspires out-door activity
'Who Went This Way', provides a source for environmental education with solid science content that involves children as active participants launching kids on a life-long love affair with the natural world.
New Vocabulary
- Mammal
- Habitat
- Cast
- Species
- Texture
- Three Dimensional
- Negative Space
- Positive Space
- Nocturnal
- Diurnal
Student Activity
- Students will acquire basic knowledge needed to link an animal to the animal's tracks and the animal's habitat through a series of hands-on identification art activities.
- Students will discover specific species characteristics from studying the animal tracks. (Example: tracks horizontally wide apart with a tail drag, is probable made by a turtle, tracks with claw marks, are probably from the 'dog' family and tracks without claw marks are probably from the 'cat' family)
- Students learn that tracks read accuracy tell a story.
- Student will have the opportunity to actually cast a highly detailed 3D animal track from Painting With Pat's rubber molds.
Class time is approx. 1 hour and a half (90 minutes)
Class Max. student number for one class (one grade level) 20 students
Painting With Pat will supply all materials necessary for the class.
Students will have the opportunity to keep the track casts they create during the Painting with Pat Class.
School Payment Fee: $300.00 or 3 classes of the same grade level: $500.00 (add $175.00 for each additional class of the same grade level)
3D Backyard Buddies
'Backyard Buddies', provies a source for environmantal education with solod science content that involves children as active participants launching kids on a life-long love affair with the natural world.
New Vocabulary
- Habitat
- Relief
- Species
- Texture
- Three Dimensional
- Two Dimensioanl
- Nocturnal
- Diurnal
Student Activities
- Students will learn about the common animals and insects that shre their backyard with them through a visual presentation, and question/answer program.
- Students will choose their favorite 'Backyard Buddy', paint it, and create a habitat suitable for the chosen species.
Class time is approx. 1 hour and a half (90 minutes)
Class Max. student number for one class (one grade level) 20 students
Painting With Pat will supply all materials necessary for the class.
Students will have the opportunity to keep the 3D animal cast & habitat they create during the Painting with Pat Class.
School Payment Fee: $300.00 or 3 classes of the same grade level: $500.00 (add $175.00 for each additional class of the same grade level)
School payment Fee: $475.00 for Gym or
Cafeteria Environment/ $300.00 for Classroom
Class time required: (2 hour class)
Max student number for one class (one grade level) 20 students.
Painting With Pat will supply all materials necessary for the class
School Payment Fee: $300.00 for one class or 3 classes of the same grade level: $500.00(add $175.00 for each additional class of the same grade level)
Project Fee: $1500.00
Project Fee: $1500.00
Our TWRA Partner, Officer, David Crane, explains to the kids how scat, (poop), can reveal facts about the animal, habitat and health of the animal!
.Tiger conservation is more critical now than ever, with less than 400 Sumatran tiger believed to remain in the wild. Humans are the only race capable of wiping out an entire species. We are also their only hope!
The ultimate success of this and other projects is very much reliant on ongoing support from you. Kids really do make a difference!
''Get Involved with Painting With Pat and lend your voice through 'ART' for wildlife conservation!''''
Mt. Pleasant Elementary Kids are doing their part in 'Tiger Conservation' through Painting With Pat!!
Painting With Pat is humbled, proud and excited to be recognized by 'The Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors!! The kids artwork and efforts to conserve the tigers of the world, will be featured in the Wildlife Warriors newsletter worldwide and on their website!
Thank YOU, Murray!
Painting With Pat Kids at Highland Park Elementary, Columbia, Tennessee, created a huge 4'x4' tile mosaic of the critically endangered Sumatran Tiger to lend their voices to raise awareness and spread the word about the plight of the wild tigers through their 'ART'!!
The kids were inspired by a photo and story of Juma, a 7 year old Sumatran Tiger at the Australia Zoo. Juma is an Indonesian word for mountain summit, a fitting name for an animal equally as powerful and stunning
Tiger Conservation through the 'ARTS'!!
The Mt. Pleasant Mosaic was designed by Pat Qualls, with a tiger paw print in the top right corner. The Paw Print is created from mirror tiles with the 'idea' that when the kids viewed their artwork they would see a reflection of themselves doing their part for 'Tiger Conservation!
