September 27, 2012 | 7:22 am

Local Brentwood Science Teacher Does Good

Posted Amy Sommer

Career Day in the Science Lab with Lisa Niver Rajna

On Saturday, September 29, 2012 KTLA’s “Career Day” will invite viewers in to science teacher Lisa Niver Rajna’s classroom and see first hand how she inspires her Kindergarten through sixth grade students by integrating science concepts in an engaging way that connects with our community.

Niver Rajna’s fourth grade students had a Question and Answer session with the director of "Trouble in Paradise" a film that documents how the inhabitants of this Polynesian island nation are dealing with the rising sea waters which will force them to abandon their homes in the near future. Several students were so inspired to help they had a weekend bake sale to raise money to help the Tuvaluans relocate.

Another example of Niver Rajna’s innovative approach to a holistic teaching of science involved her sixth graders participated in the 20th year of the OXFAM-Canada International Recycled Toy Competition. Her students who won the International Award are the first American participants in this student project.

Niver Rajna, an avid traveler who with her husband, George, run the global travel site, We Said Go Travel http://www.wesaidgotravel.com/, found out about the Oxfam Competition when they met the founder of the contest hiking Sri Lanka’s Ella Gap. Niver Rajna always brings her travels into the classroom and she is gathering more material during the 2012-2013 school year while she travels in Asia during her sabbatical.

During her travel year, the teacher and traveler invites everyone to be involved in her latest philanthropic venture: 45x45. The goal of this venture is to create awareness for the plight of the Darfur refugees. In the 45 days before she turns 45 she is raising money to assist 45 families receive Solar Cookers from Jewish World Watch. She is already half way to her goal having raised funds to help 23 families. For more information on this project: www.wesaidgotravel.com/we-said-do-good

Niver Rajna is a 2012 presidential nominee for excellence in math and science teaching, and has received rewards and accolades from political leaders including United States Senator Barbara Boxer and City Council member Eric Garcetti: http://www.wesaidgotravel.com/accolades

Niver Rajna has been to over one hundred countries and is a member of Traveler's Century Club and it is by sharing stories of these adventures with her students that she inspires them to learn geography and be global citizens. Her choices for Science Fair projects are also influenced by her worldly view a dozen of which are featured on www.sciencebuddies.org.

Being able to explain the Ho Chi Ming Trail, all about Nomads and Gers in Mongolia, as well water issues around the world with both photos and video from her personal perspective engages students of all ages. Find out how Lisa Niver Rajna does it on KTLA Saturday, September 29, 2012 at 1:00pm.

September 5, 2012 | 8:19 am

For My Birthday, PLEASE READ 45x45

Posted by Lisa Niver Rajna

Sept 3, 2012: Forty-five days before I turn forty-five, I am asking you to join me in donating to Jewish World Watch (JWW) for the Solar Cooker Project to help forty-five families. I hope to find at least forty-five people willing to donate $5 to $45 (or more) in honor of my forty-fifth birthday so I can share my gratitude about all the good things in my life.

$40 will provide one family with two cookers and with $1800 we can outfit 45 families.  So if 45 friends each donate $40 I can provide 45 families with safety, security and solar cooked meals!

I have worked with JWW on several projects and their motto: “Do not stand idly by,” inspires me. I hope that together we can help many families no longer fear going out of the refugee camp in search of firewood and fuel and into the dangers of gang rape and death.  After a long journey full of peril from Darfur in Sudan, people arrive at the camps in Chad traumatized having lost home, family members and any concept of safety into a bureaucratic jungle with only tarps for creating a “home.” Having given up my home by choice this year to travel with my husband, I hope to help others feel cared for no matter where they rest their head.

Please use this link to donate www.solarcookerproject.org

Note that your donation is in honor of Lisa Niver Rajna and JWW will keep track of the money we raise together! Thank you for making a difference today.

More information at http://www.wesaidgotravel.com/we-said-do-good

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