1. Teaching Climate Science and Water Conservation to Urban Youth
Mike Haberland1, Sharon Kinsey1, Craig McGee3
1Rutgers University Cooperative Extension (haberland@njaes.rutgers.edu, kinsey@njaes.rutgers.edu),
2Camden County Soil Conservation District (craig.mcgee@camdenscd.org)
ABSTRACT
The Rutgers University Jersey Roots, Global Reach Climate Science Program conducted in Camden, NJ, introduces middle school students to the evidence,
impacts, and potential solutions to climate change. Funded by a 5-year USDA Children, Youth, and Families At-Risk grant, students learn the difference
between weather and climate, the carbon cycle and how increased amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere impact our planet, and utilize technology
as a means to measure and graph temperature. The students also plan service learning projects that focus on small changes in behavior that can improve
the environment. For their service learning project, students at the Charles Sumner School in Camden, New Jersey, helped install two rain gardens at the
school. Rain gardens are shallow landscaped depressions in the soil that can be installed at homes, parks, and schools and provide environmental benefits by
filtering and infiltrating stormwater runoff. The two rain gardens, combined, will treat 103,000 gallons of runoff annually. Rain gardens are created using
native plants, are aesthetically pleasing, and require minimal maintenance.
LEADERSHIP
 Students develop skills necessary to create and implement a service learning project
PROGRAM FORMAT / FUNDING
 Student plays active part in both the research as well as the application of their project
 Target Audience: elementary and middle school youth in Camden, NJ.  Students apply knowledge to a tangible project that benefits stakeholders of the
 Jersey Roots, Global Reach Climate Science Program is funded by a 5-year USDA school and community
Children, Youth, and Families At-Risk grant.  Students gain the skills necessary to become caring, competent citizens
 Program Objectives – students increase knowledge in climate science, demonstrate
skills in technology, and address local climate change issues through service learning projects.
 12 weeks of one-hour school enrichment lessons with 4th, 6th, and 7th graders at
two elementary schools and one middle school Climate Change Summit.
CURRICULUM
Scope and Sequence:
 Difference between weather and climate
 Measuring the Weather
 Weather Over Time
 Evidence of Climate Change
 Detecting CO2
 Tree Rings and Ice Cores
 Impacts of Climate Change
 How does Climate Change Impact Life on Earth?
 Ocean Acidification
 Potential Solutions – Service Learning Projects
 Rain Gardens and Tree Plantings
 Educational Events for the Community
IMPACT / OUTCOME
The program resulted in the following increases in subject knowledge:
 58% - How to measure weather
 54% - Earth atmosphere greenhouse effect
 44% - Earth history that created the weather/climate system
 42% - Ability to compare data used to recognize climate trends
Installation of two rain gardens totaling 880 sq ft. These gardens will collect, filter and
infiltrate an average of 103,000 gallons of stormwater annually. This water will no longer
enter the city’s combined sewer and storm drain system.