Schoolyard Films’ “Paradise Polluted - Pacific Plastic” will be screening during the Family Day event at the New York WILD Film Festival. Come to the Explorers Club and join producers, Dragana Connaughton and Katie Carpenter, Sunday, April 7th, from 10:00 am - 11:50 to see several terrific short films from Schoolyard and others. “Pacific Plastic” is the first of three Schoolyard films that explores the complex global challenges with plastics.
Read MoreWild Dolphin Project - Wild Ocean Science Lecture - 5th Annual Event →
Tom Fitz is an American cameraman, producer, and director who has documented our planet’s natural wonders for over thirty years. As a freelance cinematographer, Tom works for the BBC, PBS, National Geographic and many others. He is the recipient of four Primetime Emmy Awards for cinematography and two BAFTA awards. Tom’s work has been featured in Planet Earth, Frozen Planet, Blue Planet and more…
Read MoreGiving Tuesday 2020
On this #GivingTuesday, please consider making a contribution to Schoolyard Films, Inc.! Make a donation, follow & share us on social media, help educators & students learn about our resources, etc.! ♥️ schoolyardfilms.org - Nature films .. for kids .. for FREE!
Read MoreSchoolyard has been busy! →
We have produced FOUR new films that are currently available (all FREE) and are also featured in various international film festivals for 2019.
“Clear Water, Clean Water ? - Exploring the Floridan Aquifer”
(20 Minutes)
“Underground, Underwater, and in the Dark - Filming in the Florida Aquifer”
(5 Minutes) (A behind the scenes look at the Cave Diving film!)
“A Project for the Planet - Service Learning in your community”
(22 Minutes)
“Octopus - Superhero of the Sea”
(9 Minutes)
Please check the Films and Study Guides page for descriptions and for streaming and download options.
Update: Tom was recently recognized and won a 1st place 2019 “Telly Award” Gold Place for Best Cinematography for “Clear Water, Clean Water?”
Please help us to spread the word!
Let your fellow teachers and friends know about free Schoolyard Films and sign-up for our “Friends and Family” email updates!
http://www.schoolyardfilms.org/syf-contact/
Together we can make a difference! Thank you!
~ Education - Inspiration - Stewardship ~
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What We're Working On....
Our latest film, Coral Reef Rescue, is in editing right now. Here's a sneak preview...
Schoolyard Films will take you diving off the Florida Keys with scientists and volunteers trying valiantly to save the reefs before it’s too late. The team has developed methods that may lead the world in the speedy and efficient growth and replanting of coral. What nature has taken hundreds of years to form, we may now repair in two or three years. We’ll show you how!
Time for Coral Reef Rescue!
One of the world’s most important environmental resources is seriously endangered. Coral reefs are not only home to 25% of all marine species, they protect the coastlines of more than 100 countries and provide 500 million people with jobs. Yet this vital resource is dying off at an unprecedented rate due to warming oceans and pollution.
If you'd like to know when Coral Reef Rescue is posted online -sign up for occasional emails from Schoolyard Films.
Please tell teachers and friends about these amazing free educational films and study guides!
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What Do You Think?
Let us know how we're doing! How can we best help you provide high-quality and engaging media about wildlife, the environment, and conservation topics to your students? How many students saw the film? Did they like it? Learn a lot? What should we do to improve?
We welcome your comments! Thank you for using Schoolyard Films!
-SYF Team
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Interview: Glenn Allen - SYF Tech
That was the start of Schoolyard Films, the idea of a short film with great conservation messaging that a teacher could not only show within a classroom timeframe, but could also engage the students with meaningful discussions. With that in mind, the study guides were also going to play a prominent role, and once we made one, it snowballed. We’re trying to bring quality, conservation messaging to students. Get them early so that they pay attention.
Read MoreInterview: Tom Fitz / Executive Director - Schoolyard Films
Where did the idea come from to start Schoolyard Films?
- Well, I have three children, and for a several years I would go to their science classrooms and give behind the scenes slideshows and present a full film or a portion of a film and it was always great fun. I loved seeing the enthusiasm first-hand from the kids in the audience, so the idea really came out of those presentations that I was doing for my kids’ science classes. I realized that teachers could really use films geared for their classes.