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Knowledge is power. Pretty much any student living in the Chesapeake Bay watershed can be empowered to identify with the environmental concerns that face our state – and pass on the knowledge to future generations. “The key is to tap into their enthusiasm to create an awareness for these students to form their own opinions on their role in Maryland’s environment,” said Environment Secretary Shari T. Wilson. “When they are properly educated and involved – they will create the ideas of the future for solutions to important environmental concerns.”
This is the exhibited strength of the Maryland Department of the Environment’s (MDE) Education and Outreach Program. By adopting Calverton Middle School in West Baltimore for the 2006-2007 school year, MDE and sixth grade science teams work with teaching staff to nurture the school’s environmental education programs.
Meeting Sixth Grade Curriculum for Environmental Science
For the first part of the program, the MDE team partnered with the Calverton team to identify opportunities. In sixth grade, the students study environmental science - an excellent fit for MDE’s programs. This creates excitement in both the MDE and Calverton staff to nurture students into the curriculum and begin teaching.
April is Environmental Education Month!
April is a very busy month for environmental awareness. With celebrations of Earth Day and Arbor Day, Calverton Middle School will be the focus of MDE activities to commemorate April as Environmental Education Month as declared by Governor Martin O’Malley. The students will learn about rocks and mining from Molly Edsall, a geologist in MDE’s Water Management Administration. Her presentation features mining and the importance of reclaiming land by replanting vegetation. Stewart Comstock, a water resources engineer in MDE’s Water Management Administration, will teach the students about stormwater and help them design a plan to enhance their courtyard.
“This partnership with MDE provides our students with access to hands-on activities that reinforce the curriculum objectives,” said Edgar Smith, the sixth grade literacy coach at Calverton Middle School. “After MDE’s presentation, the students told us they found science ‘interesting and fun’.”
Grime Crime
MDE will recognize Environmental Crimes Awareness Week by conducting “Grime Crime” activities at Calverton Middle School and Eastern Middle School in Silver Spring, Md., with MDE Secretary Wilson and Attorney General Doug Gansler to explore the investigation of environmental crimes.
In May, as part of Clean Air Month, Bob Maddox, public participation officer in MDE’s Air and Radiation Management Administration will teach the students about air quality and simple steps they can take to improve the air. Kara Schwenke, a natural resources planner in the Waste Management Administration, will teach the students how a landfill works and the importance of recycling.
Click here to learn more about MDE’s Environmental Education Programs.
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