Students Learn They Can Change The World If They Just ‘Do It!’

By Larissa Lytwyn

Newtown Middle School’s seventh grade classes recently discovered that changing the world could be easier if one learns how to protect it.

“Students who have not been particularly passionate about science during the year really excelled at this activity,” said seventh grade science teacher Valerie Leone. “The ‘Do It’ Project enables students to utilize their learning style to pursue a passion of theirs that really makes a significant difference in our Newtown community and our global environment!”

While environmental issues can be dauntingly complex, both Ms Leone and seventh grade science instructor Judith Cantonese believe that the small, everyday choices we make can benefit — or harm — the environment. Students were asked to choose an environmental subject they were passionate about. After learning about the issues surrounding it, they were proscribed to take action that could really make a difference — for all of us.

While some students analyzed octane burners to determine the volume of pollution they produced, others performed trash cleanups at local lakes and parks, taught younger classes about conservation, began recycling campaigns, and even prepared to lobby the administration to consider replacing Styrofoam trays with more environmentally friendly materials.

“We do this project in lieu of a final exam,” said Ms Cantonese. “This activity is entirely self-directed, which means the students plan and execute the project on their own, demonstrating of the scientific process skills we emphasize throughout the year.”

“I found out that high-octane fuel not only causes more pollution, but also burns hotter than regular octane,” said Aaron Lengel, an avid dirt bike rider. Tyler Adams is soon preparing to send his letter requesting the replacement of Styrofoam trays with reusable, washable melamine ones to Superintendent of Schools Evan Pitkoff. “[Melamine] is a great alternative,” he said. In an effort to prevent potentially polluting run-off, Allen Hubbard worked with his father, an engineer, to build a filtering storm drain. Not all of the projects were experiments or lobbying efforts, however.

Several students, working independently or in pairs, chose to teach younger students about environmental safety and conservation. Many of these students had parents or younger siblings in the classes. “I taught a first grade class at Middle Gate Elementary School for two days,” said Emily Lockhart, whose mother teaches at Middle Gate. “It was a lot of fun.” Younger students did environmentally related arts and crafts projects and tested their knowledge of environmental issues through quizzes and other activities.

Kelsey Philips and Cate Waterhouse recycled cans and sold plants. They used the more than $30 they earned to maintain a garden. Casey Day began a battery recycling campaign at Newtown Middle School, Reed Intermediate School, and Hawley Elementary School. “One day I noticed this big box of batteries,” she said. “When I asked my mother about it, she said she was saving them to be recycled. That’s what gave me the idea to do this project.”

Laura Koscomb and Samantha Franze identified natural alternatives to pesticide. “One thing we learned,” said Samantha, “is that ants have a natural aversion to chalk!” Both girls said their families only use natural deterrents in the garden now.

Brian Carroll studied the effects of smoking from both a health and environmental standpoint. “I learned a lot of interesting statistics,” he said. The results of a survey he administered to his peers, he continued, were encouraging. “I found that not a whole lot of people’s parents smoke,” he said. “And fewer students smoke or plan to begin smoking in the future than in the past.”

Eva Cerreta studied a solar power plant that is used in Australia and even created a scale model of the plant.

Chelsea Fowler recruited several classmates to do a trash cleanup of Candlewood Lake. “At first, the area around the lake looks really clean,” she said. “But when you get closer, you can see all the garbage.” Chelsea said she filled two industrial-sized garbage bags with trash. Some pieces, she said were very old. “We found a beer can that had a design on it that they don’t use anymore,” she said. She estimated the can to be several years old, at least.

“We are always impressed and proud of the high quality work of all of our students’ projects,” said Ms Cantonese.