The Pittsburgh-based Air & Waste Management Association is offering its award-winning Environmental Education Resource Guides and other environmental learning tools to K-12 classrooms -- a perfect science curriculum addition for Earth Week studies.

"Understanding the science behind environmental challenges is the first step to solving environmental problems," said Adrianne Carolla, A&WMA Executive Director. "We have invested our knowledge and expertise in these classroom tools, which are designed to inspire a new generation of environmental professionals."

Each EERG includes approximately 15 lessons with clearly stated educational objectives, background information, and activities that can be integrated into general science, language arts, math, social studies, and other classroom topics.

The series is designed to develop critical thinking skills including observation, comparison, analysis, and problem solving. Lesson plans were written and field-tested by classroom teachers. In addition, the content has been extensively reviewed for technical accuracy by A&WMA members and other leading experts.

In total, the award-winning series includes four modules each on air quality and non-point source pollution, organized by grade level. Air quality lessons for grades 6-8 are available in French and Spanish, and non-point source pollution for grades 6-8 is available in Spanish.

The Environmental Education Resource Guides are available online.

High School Essay Contest

As part of its centennial celebration, A&WMA is also sponsoring a high school essay contest for students in grades 9-12. Participants are asked to focus on the theme, "The Next 100 Years: Women's Contributions to Environmental Sustainability," choose a woman who has made a contribution to the environment, and compose an essay on how her work may benefit the environment in the next 100 years.

Three copies of each essay should be sent to A&WMA High School Essay Contest, c/o Pamela Heckel, 488 Compton Rd., Wyoming, OH 45215-4115, by May 4. Winners at each grade level will receive $100, to be awarded at a ceremony during A&WMA's annual meeting June 26-29 in Pittsburgh.

A&WMA also offers environmental tip calendars, information booklets and fact sheets.

3/23/2007