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 Health Environmental Biology Research Methodologies Soil and Water Quality and Atmospheric Dust Food Sovereignty Environmental Communication and Justice
Time Day 1
8:30 AM Check in!
9-10AM Science Ice breaker
10-11:45PM Introduction to environmental science, health and policy
11:45-12:30PM Lunch!
12:30-1:30PM Introduction to field sampling methods
1:30-3:30PM Air quality and atmospheric dust
3:30-5:00PM Art and Humanities
Time Day 2
8:30 AM Check in!
9-10AM Ice breaker and water screening
10-11:45PM Environmental Justice
11:45-12:30PM Lunch!
12:30-2:00PM Environmental Justice data visualization
2:00-2:30PM Poster Presentations
2:30-4:30PM Environmental Justice and social change
4:30-5:00PM Environmental monitoring check-in!
Time Day 3
8:30 AM Check in!
8:45-10:30AM Birding, wellness in nature/Sonoran desert ecology
11-11:45PM Food Sovereignty
11:45-12:30PM Lunch!
12:30-2:30PM Food Sovereignty
2:30-3:00PM Food Gardening
3:00-3:30PM Environmental monitoring check-in!
3:30-5:00PM Data interpretation and visualization
Time Day 4
8:30 AM Check in!
9-11:45PM Soil science
11:45-12:30PM Lunch!
12:30-4:00PM Water Science
4:00-5:00PM Environmental monitoring check-in!
Time Day 5
8:30 AM Check in!
9-11:45PM Environmental Justice and social change
11:45-12:30PM Lunch!
12:30-2:30PM Soil Screening
2:30-4:00PM Data interpretation and visualization
4:00-5:00PM Environmental action and next steps
5:00-6:30PM Photovoice Presentations and Certificate Ceremony with family!

Youth Trainings

Superior, AZ

Date range: June 3-7
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Address: Leo's Community Development Center 52 N Pinal Ave, Superior, AZ

Location TBD

Date range: June 10-14
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Address: TBD

Globe, AZ

Date range: June 24-28
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Address: High Desert Middle School 4000 High Desert Dr, Globe, AZ

Register for a training now! 

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