The focus of the presentation is to provide a framework for developing curriculum that combines information and skills building around the issues of occupational/workplace health and environmental health. The UCLA Labor Occupational and Safety and Health Program (UCLA-LOSH), in collaboration with local community agencies, developed the POWER Project (People Organizing for Workplace and Environmental Rights) which combines both school-based and real-world learning. Major components of the project focus on student-centered learning and problem-solving skills building, along with community-based projects and peer education.
The specially created class curriculum, called “Healthy Jobs, Healthy Communities,” is a high school youth leadership class, presenting information in four (4) major unit areas: introduction to environmental/social justice; workplace safety and rights; environmental/community health; and community organizing. There is an opportunity for students in the class to participate as peer educators to other classes. In addition, following the class, there is opportunity for some to participate in youth internships at community-based organizations that focus on workplace and environmental justice issues.
This project’s approach exposes the high-school student to workplace and environmental rights, teaches them communication and problem-solving skills, and through the peer education and internship experiences, allows the student to demonstrate the content and skills learned. The participating schools are located in underserved urban communities, working with youth of color, primarily Latino and African-Americans.
Learning Objectives: 1) By the end of the presentation, the participant will be able to identify one way to integrate school curriculum and community experiential learning. 2) By the end of the presentation, the participant will be able to list two effective educational techniques to teach teens about workplace rights and environmental justice issues. 3) By the end of the presentation, the participant will be able to obtain additional resources on developing curricula about occupational/workplace rights and environmental justice issues
Keywords: Youth at Work, Environmental Justice
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.