Outreach to Youth Ages K-12 Regarding Environmental Issues and Impact at Sandy Hook, New Jersey
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Ariana Galya
College:
The Dorothy and George Hennings College of Science, Mathematics, and Technology
Major:
Environmental Sciences
Faculty Research Advisor(s):
Jun Cheng
Abstract:
Outreach to Youth Ages K-12 Regarding Environmental Issues and Impact at Sandy Hook, New Jersey
Ariana Galya*, Jun Cheng
Department of Environmental & Sustainability Sciences, Kean University, Union, NJ. galyaa@kean.edu
This study will focus on the outreaching to youth ages k-12 on coastal environments and sustainability. Several issues about environments will be discussed including crucial factors that control beach erosion and flood protection, native plants and other natural vegetations on coastal dune (the importance of removing invasive species), and declining population of horseshoe crabs, whose eggs are a main food source for several coastal species including shore birds. It is important for K-12 students to understand these coastal environmental issues occurred at Sandy Hook, New Jersey.
To educate these K-12 students, there are several steps that can be taken. These students can take class trips to Sandy Hook, NJ where there are several programs ran through Sea Grant that supplies learning about these topics. Students can also be shown videos or have a special course added to their curriculum that will educate them about these matters. Another action that can be taken is to provide this as a homework assignment. Students can be given a handout and must read about these issues and reply with a summary of what they have learned. In the day of technology, it is quite easy to supply a handout that students must read and discuss what they’ve learned from it. It is important for the youth ages to learn and understand why these issues are important. By educating K-12 students, there is a chance that they will understand and respect the environment and eventually take initiative to help resolve these matters.