Phinney resident Angela Blemker teaches kindergarten at Green Lake School, and her mantra is “teach dirty,” as in getting your hands dirty in the great outdoors.

(Photo courtesy of Angela Blemker.)

Starting April 11, Blemker will take her educational philosophy to Halifax, Nova Scotia, for an educator fellowship.

Blemker will use satellite and Internet technology to connect “Live from the Field” to her classroom and community. Blemker will join Earthwatch Institute’s Mammals of Nova Scotia expedition for two weeks as a member of a research team consisting of scientists and volunteers determined to collect data and answer the most pressing issues related to climate change.

Blemker is looking forward to bringing all that she has learned back to her classroom. “I aim to teach my students through experiences and this is the perfect opportunity to take them on an International field trip without having to apply for passports.“ Children and adults are invited to follow her adventure on her expedition blog.

Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles is seeking middle and high school students to apply for a week-long Senate page position in her office during the 60-day Legislative session scheduled to begin Jan. 11.

The Washington State Legislature has one of the finest page programs in the country. The program provides an opportunity for hundreds of Washington’s students to take part in the legislative process and observe the Legislature and other branches of state government in action.

During their assigned week, pages attend classes in the page school designed to teach students about state government and the legislative process. They also listen to guest speakers, tour the buildings on the Capitol Campus and learn how to draft bills.

Pages also provide invaluable services to legislators and staff by relaying documents across the Capitol Campus, responding to requests from senators at work in the Senate chamber and presenting the flag during floor sessions.

If accepted, students attend a two-hour orientation the Sunday afternoon before their assigned week. Pages work Monday through Friday, beginning at 7:45 a.m. and usually ending at 5 p.m. (Pages work Saturday or Sunday only if the Senate decides to hold session those days.) The Senate also offers students assistance in finding host homes. Pages are paid $35 for each day worked.

To serve as a page, a student must: be at least 14 years old but not older than 16; have a grade point average of a C+ or better; receive parent and school permission; and have a Social Security number.

To receive a page application, contact Sen. Kohl-Welles’ district office at (206) 281-6854.

Whittier Heights Preschool, at Dibble Ave. NW and NW 73rd St., has a few openings left in its summer camp schedule. (Disclosure: The PhinneyWood kid attends WHP.)

Preschool camps for ages 3-6 run 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Monday-Friday and cost $135. School-age camps for ages 7-12 run 1:30-5:30 p.m. (including some field trips) Monday-Friday and cost $150.

Owner Heike Burr says she has a few openings for preschool kids in Artapalooza, which runs this week; Creepy Crawly, June 29-July 2 (meets Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.); Under the Sea, July 27-31; Treasure Trove, Aug. 3-7; Jurassic Park, Aug. 17-21; and More Artapalooza, Aug. 31-Sept. 4.

She also has openings in the school-age camps: Garden Path, July 20-24; Under the Sea, July 27-31; Treasure Trove, Aug. 3-7; and More Artapalooza, Aug. 31-Sept. 4.

If interested, email Heike Burr.

Seattle Free School is offering a class on the basics of beekeeping at the Greenwood Library next month. On Jan. 21 from 5:45-7:45 p.m., anyone can learn the basics of beekeeping in the city, from acquiring bees to extracting honey, to getting the hives ready for winter.

Seattle Free School is exactly that – free. No money involved, just people sharing various skills. Classes range from arts and crafts to learning improv to how to raise chickens in the city, and are held at various locations throughout the city. It’s quite a diverse class list. But, you do need to register in advance to make sure there are enough people to hold a class. And kids are welcome at most any class, except for the ones where safety could be an issue – such as the Auto Repair class.