Amphibian Education and Art Expression

Children in K-3 are introduced to frogs, amphibians and the world that surrounds them. As they learn about Earth’s environment and wildlife and gain an understanding of the ecosystem, they can creatively express themselves through art and share with others how everyone can help our planet by being eco-friendly. Students are introduced to photographers and artists, both classical and current, who focus on nature and wildlife.

Frogs Are Green founder Susan Newman is developing a six-week K-3 curriculum called Frogs, Amphibians and Their Threatened Environment: Discovery and Expression Through Art, K-3. The curriculum needs to be laid out in a book format and then the pdf, along with imagery and video, made available.

Once children learn from the curriculum, they can enter their artwork into the annual kids art contest hosted by Frogs Are Green. Ultimately, in celebration of Earth Day/Save the Frogs Day, the best work is exhibited for a few weeks in a local gallery.

Each fall, Frogs Are Green hosts a kids art contest and children enter from around the world. Sadly, this past year we received only three entries from the U.S. – out of 450 globally. We knew the time had come to start locally by enlightening Jersey City and getting this community involved and leading the way for other cities and the rest of America.

In April, we hosted a month-long exhibition of international children's art and the Distillery Gallery and Art Space that displayed the works has Saturday morning art classes, so together we made a big push.

Since then Frogs Are Green has installed a display in Hoboken City Hall and has just been just spotlighted in the summer/fall issue of Jersey City Magazine.

Each of this year's two contests – the other is photography, open to all ages -- has seven expert judges. Our network is growing. 

• Finish the curriculum so it is available for the fall term.

• Print contest posters and postcards and distribute them all over Jersey City and Hoboken.

• Create and post ads in local newspapers about the curriculum and contests.

• Continue social media and web campaign.

• Get the community fired up by speaking at community groups and get teachers involved to implement the curriculum and have kids enter the contests.

Frogs and other amphibians are disappearing at an alarming rate. One third of all amphibian species around the globe are threatened with extinction. Frogs are extremely sensitive to environmental threats such as acid rain and global warming. They are also threatened by invasive species and habitat loss. Recently, the deadly chytrid fungus has spread around the world, devastating amphibian populations. Many frog species are in immediate danger of extinction unless urgent action is taken. 

My life mission is educating the community and fostering teamwork to make the world better for all. I want everyone to care more about our neighborhoods as well as all the issues that plague this planet. We can't change it all, but we can each do our part, and when we do life gets better, step-by-step. Supporting educators in implementing this new K-3 curriculum and encouraging children to participate in the contests and exhibitions is my way of helping kids to proudly self-express and grow.