YouthCaN ’99 – Workshops & Activities
SESSION I
1- Reef Care in the South Pacific
Norfolk Island Central School, Norfolk Island, South Pacific thelab@nics.edu.nfWe have prepared a management plan to present to the local government. The plan outlines the ways that different groups should use this very sensitive area: the fringing coral reef at Slaughter Bay, Norfolk Island.
For: Grades 7 – 12
2- Secondary School Air Monitoring and Assessment (SSAMA)
Halsey JHS 157, Rego Park – Queens, New York gaia1@aol.com
Regents Earth Science students from Halsey JHS 157 will demonstrate the PaxAnalytics Environmental Monitoring System which measures more than a dozen air pollutants together with meteorological variables. They will also show how the EMS software makes reports, charts and is able to connect schools both locally, regionally and internationally.
For: Grades 9 – 12
3- Planetary Notions – Student Environmental Magazine
H. Frank Carey High School, Franklin Square, NY deanblack@aol.com
Planetary Notions is an Environmental Magazine published annually by students from H. Frank Carey High School on Long Island. The workshop will show how students can interact with each other on the iearn.environ conference. Publishing tools along with the publication process is also explained. Students may join in on the compiling and publication of the next PN magazine in 2000. A major key to the success of the magazine is the constant communication with studetns around the world.
For: Grades 8 – 12
4- Tigers On-line 2000
I*EARN & The American Museum of Natural History, NY mbblues@aol.com
We will present the work of students from around the world in an on-going effort to build awareness of the plight of Tigers in the wild: population declines and habitat destruction. The workshop will highlight the need for preservation of endangered species habitat, and the importance of biodiversity.
For: Grades 5 – 10
5- Wetlands Around the World – I*EARN
Cedar Drive School, New Jersey – USA, Uganda, Romania, Australia saponaro@cnboe.com
A project bringing together student projects from around the world with the theme of learning about and protecting local wetlands and waterways.
For: Grades 5 – 9
SESSION II
1- I Know What You Ate Last Supper
Ecology Club, American Museum of Natural History, New York gonzalez@amnh.org
An interactive skit on the conflicts between those entities that impact fishing in New York the most – fisherman, consumers, and conservationists. Come and play a part in our skit and help us resolve this conflict!
For: Grades 7 – 12
2- The K.A.T. Club: Kids and Turtles
Groesbeck ISD, Groesbeck, TX lmwilso@groesbeck.isd.tenet.edu
Students have collaborated with experts from the HEART (Help Endangered Animals-Ridley Turtle) foundation and STRP (Sea Turtle Restoration Project) in an effort to save the Kemp’s ridley sea turtle along the Gulf of Mexico coastline and to help establish a marine reserve at South Padre Island, Texas. Activities will include discussion, games, and information packets.
For: Grades 3 – 6
3- Solar Solutions
Miami Country Day School, Miami, FL tpxv03c@prodigy.com
Students will learn about the environmental benefits of solar cooking and its value in third world countries. They will see a wide variety of student made ovens and construct a sample oven to take back to their schools.
For: Grades 2 – 6
4- Brownfields: Coney Island Creek
John Dewey High School, Brooklyn, NY tmanc69@aol.com
Dewey students have been working in cooperation with community groups, government officials, and environmental professionals in order to help ameliorate and preserve Coney Island Creek. The workshop focuses on the history and development of this creek, toxic chemicals that have been discovered in it and their ecological and potential health effects, environmental justice issues, and the Clean Water Act. Students have compiled statistics and will present findings from their tests of temperature variances, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen content, biological oxygen demand, phosphates, nitrates, turbidity, and depth.
For: Grades 8 – 12
5- Marine Teens: Teaching Ocean Conservation on the Road
New York Aquarium, Brooklyn, NY efries@idt.net
Drama and Games and Swordfish, oh my! Come learn about the magnificent swordfish and other ocean conservation topics at this workshop. Brooklyn 8th grade students will perform a couple of skits and then the audience can participate in interactive educational games.
For: Grades 4 – 8
SESSION III
1- Green Plants, Not Chemicals – Point and Non-Point Source Water Pollution
Academy of Mount St. Ursula, Bronx, New York merlin@pipeline.com
A visual and hands-on workshop which will explore the pros and cons of water filtration, and the point and non-point sources of pollution of many rivers. We will also be discussing key points of the impact that the proposed construction of a filtration plant will have on the communities of the Bronx.
For: Grades 8 – 12
2- Coral Reefs: Destruction Under the Sea
The Marymount School of New York, NYC, NY margaret_condron@marymount.k12.ny.us
A dramatic presentation of the coral reef plight. Our presentation will include an original play, coral reef models, and an informative web site. Within these we will discuss the past and present situations of coral reefs and a prediction for the future.
For: Grades 7 – 12
3- Mock Trial: PCBs in the Hudson River
Saugerties and Red Hook High Schools, Ulster County, NY riggstis@aol.com
After discovery of high levels of PCB’s in the Hudson River, a trial began to decide whether to dredge the contaminants from the river or to leave them settling in the sediment. Be involved in this mock trial in which lawyers will ask questions of witnesses who represent groups interested in the issue. A hearing for the siting of a PCB landfill will be recreated. The workshop will also touch on corporate responsibility for Hudson River contamination.
For: Grades 8 – 12
4- Water Testing in 3 NY Environments
Washington Irving H.S., Ross School, and Salamanca H.S., NY mccarthy@aol.com
We will be dicussing & showing how to test for various water pollutants such as copper, nitrates, etc. We will provide information on ways to get kits, expenses, etc. Strong emphasis will be placed on teaching others how to perform these tests for themselves.
Other Activities & Organizations
5- Environmental Youth Camp – High Tatras Mountains, Slovakia
Srobarova High School, Kosice, Slovakia lowman@srobarka.sk , joko@srobarka.sk
In the autumn of 1998, I*EARN-Slovakia, Srobarova High School, and the U.S. Peace Corps hosted 80 sutdents from 12 countries for an Environmental Camp in the High Tatras National Park. Students collected water samples, learned about weather forecasting, cleaned park trails, and conducted other scientific experiments. Several cultural programs were also held, highlighting each of the represented nations. The project was so successful it will be repeated again in 1999. Come learn about the organization of this camp and its environmental education objectives. Participants in the workshop will also explore ways to use the internet to support local and global efforts to protect national parks.
Healthy New Yorkers
Children’s Museum of Manhattan (CMOM), NY
New York City’s environment and its affects on health.
Presentation on intern work at CMOM.
Art and environmental activities.
Reef and Rainforest Conservation: A Voluntary Approach
Coral Cay Conservation, London, UK
To highlight efforts being made by international volunteers in helping protect biodiversity and alleviate poverty through the protection of coral reefs and tropical forests.
Action Now! You Can Make a Difference
Gateway National Recreation Area, NY
Impact of marine debris and the actions that can be taken.
Fish of Macedonia
Dobri Daskalov Gymnasium, Kavadarci, Macedonia
My Friend the Frog and the Rivers of Belarus
Gimnasium 30, Grodno, Belarus grodno_gimn@usa.net
Sierra Club
Greenpeace USA
NYC Council in the Environment
Harbor Academy for Environmental Studies
Partners In Ecological Research
Central Park Conservancy
Operation Smile
Rainforest Relief
Green Party
Environmental Defense Fund
Surfrider Foundation USA
Riverhead Foundation
CERC – Columbia University
Day 3 – A Day to Help the World (April 24)
- Nature hikes
- Beach clean-ups
- Visits to zoos, aquariums, and botanical gardens
- Educational trips to NYC environmental facilities
Summary
YouthCaN ’99 aimed to:
- expand student participation,
- improve workshops and interactivity,
- strengthen global environmental education,
- and connect young people through real-world ecological action and online collaboration.
YouthCaN
Education Department
American Museum of Natural History
Central Park West at 79th Street
New York, NY 10024 – 5192