The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #71987

Lynn M. Waishwell, PhD CHES¹, Barry Schlegel, MS, CIH², Laura Hemminger, MPH³, L Weidner, PhD², and Audrey Gotsch, DrPH, CHES⁴. (1) University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey School of Public Health, 335 George St. Suite 2200, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, 732 235-9744, lwaishwe@eohsi.rutgers.edu, (2) Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute- Public Education and Risk Communication, The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey- School of Public Health, 170 Frelinghuysen Rd, Room 236, Piscataway, NJ 08854, (3) EOHSI, 170 Frelinghuysen Rd, Room 236, Piscataway, NJ 08854, (4) UMDNJ School of Public Health, 335 George Street, Liberty Plaza, Suite 2200, PO Box 2688, New Brunswick, NJ 08903-2688

SUC₂ES₂is a curriculum project for 2nd, 5th, and 7th grade that uses environmental health as a theme for learning. An active partnership among UMNDJ-SPH and EOHSI staff and faculty, and a school district in New Jersey was initiated to produce a teacher-driven curriculum. In this initial phase, the 2nd grade Curriculum Guide was created, implemented and evaluated. Teachers and administrators first enhanced their ability to develop curricular materials that integrate science, math, health and language arts lessons under the umbrella of environmental health through workshops. Teacher writing summits then resulted in a draft version of the SUC₂ES₂ Second Grade Curriculum Guide (CG), based upon an award-winning curriculum founded on a risk assessment framework, ToxRAP^TM(Toxicology, Risk Assessment & Pollution). The CG was pilot-tested in the Spring of 2002 by 12 teachers and 419 students from six schools. Pre- and post-tests were conducted on pilot-test students and a control group involving 11 teachers and 214 students from four schools. Results of the assessment indicated an overall improvement in student test scores as a result of using the Curriculum Guide (F=59.2, p=.003). Pre and post-test results of the 2nd grade test will be discussed, as well as the barriers and benefits of this innovative approach to improving environmental health literacy.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will be able to:
• 1.Describe the process used to develop an innovative environmental health curriculum.
• 2.Describe the methods used to assess 2nd grade curriculum environmental health learning objectives.
• 3.Describe results of the pre and post test results for a 2nd grade pilot test of an environmental health curriculum.

Keywords: Environmental Health, School-Based Programs

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: The curriculum was developed by the Environmental and Occupational Health Science Institute (EOHSI), that is linked to the UMDNJ-School of Public Health. No products will be promoted.
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employment