Program on the Environment

Relatively few students are exposed to environmental science beyond their biology and chemistry classes, giving programs focused on environmental health an important niche. Therefore, single-time outreach programs are a common way to teach environmental science in elementary school and middle school in the United States. This study seeks to examine the impacts of a single-time curriculum in the Students Explore Aquatic Sciences (SEAS) program at Jane Addams Middle School. Focusing on ocean acidification and its effects on Puget Sound’s shellfish population, the brief course concluded with surveys to measure the knowledge students have learned during the week. Overall, students had relatively little prior exposure to environmental issues in the classroom. Considering the effects of environmental damage on a specific ecosystem proved to be effective – students displayed a marked eagerness to interact with the class material themselves. Taking a heavily interactive approach with the program proved to be highly effective as well, with many students indicating these segments as their favorite aspects. Those hands-on activities allowed the students to see the science for themselves and provide a broader view of how ocean acidification is affecting all of us in different ways. The result shows that more than 80% of the students have gained knowledge in ocean acidification and its effect to shellfish in the Puget Sound area. The results present themselves as a powerful case study in assessing the efficacy of single-time outreach curriculums.