Developing environmental awareness at Village School
By: Emily Craighead
It’s hard to imagine that one baby in disposable diapers could produce over a ton of non-biodegradable waste that will take 450 years to decompose.
And it’s surprising that an elementary school student would know this particular bit of trivia.
As one of his slightly disgusted, slightly awed classmates put it, "Oh my God, he knows about diapers!"
More important, though, this surprising fact and dozens of others highlighted the importance of environmental awareness for Village School students participating in an environmental game show during their lunch hours Wednesday and today. The school is in the West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District.
"The whole game-show approach is effective," helping students internalize the information they are learning, said resource teacher Alice Eckel, who coordinates the school’s character education program. Ms. Eckel organized the game show event, which was held for the first time last year and has been popular among students.
In this Earth Day event, four representatives from each homeroom showcased their knowledge about recycling, water conservation and energy conservation.
Earth Day, April 22, was first celebrated in 1970. Since then, this day of national environmental recognition has evolved into a worldwide campaign to protect the global environment.
Students line up on stage in the cafeteria with their hands poised over buzzers while Principal Brian Stevens, with his Alex Trebek-like moustache and hair, reads questions submitted by teachers, students and parents.
"How many trees are cut down each year for each American’s use of paper, wood and other products made from trees?" Mr. Stevens asked.
"Seven," one student replied without hesitation.
With each correct answer, children in the audience set down their juice boxes and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to clap and shout out encouragement.
The top scorers from Wednesday’s competition will return to the stage today for a challenge round of Village School’s environmental game show.