Recorded presentation

Liam R. O’Fallon, MA, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, PO Box 12233 (MD EC-21), Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, 919.541.7733, ofallon@niehs.nih.gov

The public has an increasing desire to understand the effects and risks to human health from exposure to physical and chemical agents. As the public is challenged to make decisions on the risk and benefits of agents which permeate society, there have been few, if any, programs which prepare the public to meet this task. For example, in the past few years there have been media reports concerning the hazards of electromagnetic radiation, chemicals in drinking water, and pesticides in food. This challenge arises during a time in which our students continue to under perform in science and math exams. To meet this need, the National Institute of Environmental Health Science (NIEHS) implemented its third and most innovative K-12 Science Education program, "Environmental Health Sciences as an Integrative Context for Learning," in 2000. The purpose is to improve overall academic performance as well as enhance students' comprehension of and interest in environmental health sciences. The program encourages partnerships among environmental health scientists, educators, and state departments of education with the goal of integrating environmental health sciences within a variety of subject areas (e.g. geography, history, math, art). NIEHS made 9 awards to within this new program. Now in their 4th year, these projects are showing some positive results. In this session, project leaders will discuss the outcomes to date, emphasizing impacts on students, school systems, teachers, community members and more.

Learning Objectives: At the end of this session, attendees will be able to

• Understand how integrating environmental health into other classroom subject areas (math, science, history, language arts) can be used to improve overall student academic performance.
• Understand why it’s important for students to learn about environmental health.

Keywords: Curricula, Environmental Health

Related Web page: www.niehs.nih.gov/translat/k12/ehsic.htm

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.

Recorded presentation