2024 Environmental Science, Health, and the Public Sphere Youth Training

Build your career/self development, communication, critical thinking, equity and inclusion, and leadership skills!

The 40-hour in-person youth training will covering the following areas

  1. Environmental Science and Health
  2. Environmental Biology
  3. Research Methodologies
  4. Soil and Water Quality and Atmospheric Dust
  5. Food Sovereignty
  6. Environmental Communication and Justice

The youth training is aligned with National Health Education, National Academy of Science, and Arizona Education Standards. Each area will consist of: (1) Introduction, (2) hands-on, inquiry-based activity, (3) documentation and reflection, (4) data sharing and visualization, and (5) public speaking and sharing observations/findings with the group.

After this training you will have the following job skills

  • Environmental science
  • Biodiversity
  • Environmental Data analysis
  • Environmental Interpretation
  • Environmental Ethics
  • Water
  • Water Resources
  • Air quality
  • Sediment Sampling
  • Soil Science
  • Environmental Contamination
  • Soil contamination
  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Plant Identification
  • Political Ecology
  • Nutrient cycling
  • Applied science
  • Community-Based Participatory Research

Outcomes

  1. We anticipate that after the training, youth will have an increased:
    1. Awareness, knowledge, and understanding of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) concepts, processes
    2. Interest in STEAM concepts, processes, and careers
    3. Understanding of the scientific process
    4. Skillset related to using instruments, following data collection protocol
    5. Ability to communicate environmental issues
    6. Ability to create data visualizations
  2. The training will build self-efficacy and confidence for learning, doing, and communicating science
  3. Youth participation will culminate in a photovoice project, the compilation of photographs and written interpretations of local environmental issues and projects
  4. Through the photovoice project, youths will apply knowledge and concepts discussed in the training to explain environmental public health and deepen engagement with their local community.
  5. Youths will be trained on how to engage their communities as leaders and how to cultivate strong partnerships around shared issues with adults, governmental and non-governmental organizations as well as other stakeholder groups.

Example Schedule*

* Schedule will vary slightly by location and is subject to change.

Micro-credential Topics  
Environmental Science and HealthEnvironmental BiologyResearch MethodologiesSoil and Water Quality and Atmospheric DustFood SovereigntyEnvironmental Communication and Justice
TimeDay 1
8:30 AMCheck in!
9-10AMScience Ice breaker
10-11:45PMIntroduction to environmental science, health and policy
11:45-12:30PMLunch!
12:30-1:30PMIntroduction to field sampling methods
1:30-3:30PMAir quality and atmospheric dust
3:30-5:00PMArt and Humanities
TimeDay 2
8:30 AMCheck in!
9-10AMIce breaker and water screening
10-11:45PMEnvironmental Justice
11:45-12:30PMLunch!
12:30-2:00PMEnvironmental Justice data visualization
2:00-2:30PMPoster Presentations
2:30-4:30PMEnvironmental Justice and social change
4:30-5:00PMEnvironmental monitoring check-in!
TimeDay 3
8:30 AMCheck in!
8:45-10:30AMBirding, wellness in nature/Sonoran desert ecology
11-11:45PMFood Sovereignty
11:45-12:30PMLunch!
12:30-2:30PMFood Sovereignty
2:30-3:00PMFood Gardening
3:00-3:30PMEnvironmental monitoring check-in!
3:30-5:00PMData interpretation and visualization
TimeDay 4
8:30 AMCheck in!
9-11:45PMSoil science
11:45-12:30PMLunch!
12:30-4:00PMWater Science
4:00-5:00PMEnvironmental monitoring check-in!
TimeDay 5
8:30 AMCheck in!
9-11:45PMEnvironmental Justice and social change
11:45-12:30PMLunch!
12:30-2:30PMSoil Screening
2:30-4:00PMData interpretation and visualization
4:00-5:00PMEnvironmental action and next steps
5:00-6:30PMPhotovoice Presentations and Certificate Ceremony with family!

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Check back soon for 2025 micro-credential training dates and locations!