STUDENT SOLUTIONS:
YOU HAVE THE POWER!

One of the most effective methods of encouraging student interest in environmental issues is through participation in student projects that focus on their immediate surroundings. Involving middle school students in environmental efforts that directly impact their school or community is empowering, especially if they have had input into selecting and developing the project. Students not only become part of the solution to an environmental problem; they develop problem-solving skills in a variety of arenas. Throughout the process, students gain confidence and recognize that their ideas and actions are important and make a difference in improving the quality of life. Designing research plans, collecting data, developing strategies to address important environmental issues, and defending actions require high levels of critical thinking. Navigating through all the phases required to successfully develop and implement a project hones citizenship and leadership skills, while emphasizing the importance of planning, gathering and presenting evidence, negotiating with opponents as well as working with peers and adults to effect change. Armed with information and a means of disseminating that information, young people develop life skills that will serve them well in future endeavors.

There are many examples of young people serving as catalysts to emphasize environmental stewardship. From helping to plant marsh grass in coastal restoration projects, to changing waste disposal policies, young people have enjoyed remarkable success in improving the environment.

While there have been a myriad of student-focused environmental activities completed in past years, the following collection of initiatives are offered to emphasize the vast array of potential projects available and to stimulate classroom discussion of possible topics for further study. Highlighted projects include those that have been done individually, within classrooms and through formal organizations. In many cases, the organizations or agencies have collaborated with the classroom teacher to strengthen the overall program. Local, state, and national governmental agencies, and some business organizations, have education components that offer assistance and valuable resources to classroom teachers. Many recycling programs have enjoyed district-wide success because of their school outreach programs.

Improving the environment while helping people and animals is an integral part of learning for students at Pine-Richland Middle School in Gibsonia, Pennsylvania. As part of a unit entitled People to Animals: Making a Difference, Pine-Richland students help abused and homeless animals by collaborating with the Great Aluminum Can Roundup program and sponsoring Paws to Recycle, a can recycling campaign. Students also hold a community dog walk, an all-school pet show and collect supplies to raise funds for the Animal Friends Shelter, Pittsburgh's only 'no-kill' pet shelter.

Since joining the Great Aluminum Can Roundup, students have expanded their can recycling campaign throughout the school system. Another component of the unit involves visiting a local retirement home with shelter and personal pets as part of a shelter/pet therapy program. These middle school students were awarded an Encore Award of $1000 from the Points of Light Foundation and USA Weekend for their continued and expanded efforts to help their community through volunteer service. The middle school is also a National Make a Difference honoree.

Girl Scout Troop #3011 in Newton, Massachusetts, decided to reduce pollution in the air caused by the idling cars of people trying to locate hard-to-read or missing house numbers. After conducting a community survey, they learned that most residents were unaware of an ordinance requiring house numbers to be visible and at least two inches high.

City engineers confirmed two inches was still inadequate. After petitioning the Board, the Girl Scouts were able to revise the ordinance to require that the house numbers be four inches. This improved safety conditions for responding police, ambulances, and fire departments as well as reduced air pollution through unnecessary vehicle idling. (Earth Force)