TEACHING CLIMATE SCIENCE AND WATER CONSERVATION TO URBAN YOUTH
Extension Education
Mike Haberland
County Agent II (Associate Professor)
Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Blackwood
Abstract
\r\n The Rutgers University Jersey Roots, Global Reach Climate Science Program conducted in Camden, NJ, introduces middle school students to the evidence, impacts, and potential solutions to climate change. Funded by a 5-year USDA Children, Youth, and Families At-Risk grant, students learn the difference between weather and climate, the carbon cycle and how increased amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere impact our planet, and utilize technology as a means to measure and graph temperature. The students also plan service learning projects that focus on small changes in behavior that can improve the environment. For their service learning project, students at the Charles Sumner School in Camden, New Jersey, helped install two rain gardens at the school. Rain gardens are shallow landscaped depressions in the soil that can be installed at homes, parks, and schools and provide environmental benefits by filtering and infiltrating stormwater runoff. The two rain gardens combined, will treat 103,000 gallons of runoff annually. Rain gardens are created using native plants, are aesthetically pleasing, and require minimal maintenance.
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Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.
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Authors: M. Haberland, S. Kinsey
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Haberland, M. Environmental and Resource Management Agent, Rutgers University Cooperative Extension, New Jersey, 08002
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Kinsey, S. Camden County 4-H Agent, Rutgers University Cooperative Extension, New Jersey, 08002