The Department of Environmental Protection’s Environmental Education and Information Center in Harrisburg was home base for two summer interns-- Sarah Cutshall from the University of Pittsburgh and Sarah Dropkin from Shippensburg University.

Here they share their summer experience takeaways from the most recent DEP Teaching Green newsletter--

Sarah Cutshall

My greatest takeaway from my internship at the DEP Environmental Education Center is learning how others learn and learning how to teach others about the environment.

By helping to develop workshop and program content, presenting that content, doing hands-on programs with students in different settings, helping with the Harrisburg falcon watch and rescue program, and helping organize and revitalize parts of the Environmental Education and Information Center, I’m confident I’ve improved my abilities to communicate and educate about the environment.

Knowing how to communicate effectively about conservation and the environment is becoming increasingly valuable not only in education, but in other professions.

People everywhere are facing local and global environmental issues. It’s important to instill a sense of responsibility for the environment so that we can continue to benefit from it in the future.

Sarah Dropkin

As an intern at the DEP Environmental Education and Information Center, I participated in several educational programs for kids, including building solar cars, identifying macroinvertebrates, and an interpretative hike.

As someone who was lucky enough to grow up appreciating nature, I was excited to make an impression, hopefully, on young students and get them interested in environmental stewardship.

I recently changed my major to sustainability, and this internship opportunity gave me a good idea of just how many job opportunities there are in the environmental field.

Since the Center oversees DEP’s Environmental Education Grants program, it was also uplifting to see how seriously the state government is taking climate change by helping to fund projects throughout the state that can have a positive impact for everyone.

Click Here to sign up for your own copy of DEP’s Teaching Green newsletter.

Visit DEP’s Teaching Green webpage for more environmental education resources.  Questions should be directed to Bert Myers, Director of DEP’s Environmental Education and Information Center, by sending email to: gimyers@pa.gov or calling 717-772-1828.

For more information on environmental programs in Pennsylvania, visit DEP’s website, Click Here to sign up for DEP’s monthly newsletter, sign up for DEP Connects events, sign up for DEP’s eNotice, visit DEP’s Blog,  Like DEP on Facebook, Follow DEP on Twitter and visit DEP’s YouTube Channel.

(Photos: Sarah Cutshall, Sarah Dropkin.)

NewsClips:

New Program Introduces Students To Energy, Oil Industry Careers In Susquehanna County

These Pesky Teenagers Are Planning A Global Climate Strike For Sept. 20

Related Articles This Week:

Carmichaels High School Envirothon Team Thanks Everyone Who Helped Them Achieve 3rd Place In International Envirothon Competition!

Pennsylvania Envirothon Team Takes 3rd Place In International Envirothon Competition!

Latest DEP Teaching Green Newsletter Now Available

Intern Stories Wanted!

Stories/Photos/Videos About Summer Interns Wanted! PA Environment Digest

Related Intern Articles:

Intern: Op-Ed: What's The Status Of Utility Scale Solar Energy In Pennsylvania?  By Georgia Mae Lively

Interns: Michael Gallagher, BioMost, Inc. Working On Mine Drainage Treatment

Interns: Bloomsburg Student Intern Justin Groshek With Natural Resources Conservation Service On Path To Success

Interns: Introducing Pike Conservation District Summer Intern Anton Adams

Interns: Sarah Sharp - From Intern To Brandywine Conservancy’s New Assistant Planner

DEP Our Common Wealth Blog: Falcon Watch Wrap-Up: 4 Young Peregrines Take To The Sky, With A Little Help From Volunteers, Interns

[Posted: August 9, 2019]

8/12/2019