Linking with County Master Gardener Programs to Reach At-Risk Youth
4-H & Youth
Christina Becker
Extension Educator 4-H
Penn State Extension Greene County
Waynesburg
Abstract
National Statistics indicate a high incidence of accidental poisonings among young children under 5 years old. That information, combined with the identification of the need to teach young children about pests, pesticides, and poison prevention as noted in the 1st grade Pennsylvania State Curriculum Standards, and the mission of county Master Gardener programs to provide education in the areas of pests, IPM, and pesticide safety, drove the development of an outreach education program offered by the Pesticide Education Program at Penn State University. The outreach program was designed as a presentation for 1st grade students to be delivered during March, Poison Prevention Month, fostering a hightened awareness of accidental poisonings and a need to prevent them. The fun, upbeat presentation is given to 1st grade students at their schools by Master Gardeners and includes supplemental materials for students, parents, and teachers. Evaluative tools were created to provide program impact data. Into its second year as an outreach program offering, program numbers have grown over 250%.
Authors: Becker, C. Y.
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Becker, C. Y. Extension Associate, Penn State University Extension, Pennsylvania, 15401