Outreach: Youth Education

As part of the blog project, I've been trying to raise awareness about bees by using some of the information I have gained to educate. Last week, I taught a 6th grade class at a local middle school in Madison, WI called Spring Harbor Middle School about bees. Spring Harbor is a public school, but it is unique in that it accepts students from all of Dane County. As a result, the student body is composed of youth with a diverse range of multi-cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. In addition, classes are small and give special attention to environmentally related issues. 

During my class, I gave a simple lecture about bees, pollination, and the negative consequences of our current agricultural systems. Reflecting on the session, the students were very engaged and seemed excited to learn about the material. If I were to do this again, I would love to take a class out to an actual hive to show them how an actual colony operates. While teaching in a class from is an important first step, fieldwork is an even more powerful way to get kids involved with sustainability. 

Adding environmental education programs to our public schools is one of the greatest things we can do to strengthen our current education system. Sustainability is a topic that can be applied to every type of work force and discussed by any type of person. Being conscious of environmental issues is important regardless of differences in cultural, economic, and political backgrounds and I think making children aware of this is extremely important. In addition, exposing children to environmental education encourages community activism. Making strong environmental education programs is not only essential for developing skills in youth, but also for promoting community engagement. Many schools want to have stronger education programs, but the lack funding to do so. That being said, many schools welcome volunteers to teach students about environmental topics. If you are interested, ask your local schools if there is anyway to get involved.

6th grade class at Spring Harbor Middle School