Learning some lessons about the perils of carbon monoxide

WW-P seventh-graders take on education project

By: Emily Craighead
   Six seventh-grade students came before the West Windsor-Plainsboro Board of Education on Tuesday with an important message: Carbon monoxide is deadly, but not enough people know what causes it or what to do in case of a carbon monoxide leak in their home.
   The students, who are in Eileen Chubik-Kwis’ social studies class at Community Middle School, made their presentation as part of Project Citizen.
   In this civic-education program, students begin by identifying and studying a public-policy issue, such as drunken driving, secondhand smoke, recycling or enhancing study skills.
   Thomas Hoge lobbied his classmates to take on the issue of carbon monoxide poisoning for a personal reason. He and his mother were rushed to the hospital after the carbon monoxide detector in his house went off last year. The detector warned them to get out in plenty of time, and everyone was safe.
   "I had no idea what it was until after my experience," Thomas said. Now he knows it is an odorless, colorless and tasteless gas, it causes flu-like symptoms, and it can lead to death.
   The students conducted a survey, confirming that many of their classmates knew little about the issue.
   "We found that students in our own school did not have enough education about carbon monoxide," Sanjana Manikandan said. According to a survey the students conducted, 36 percent of students surveyed did not know if there was a carbon monoxide detector in their home, or its location. Twenty-eight percent did not know the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning.
   So Sanjana and her classmates set out to gather more information and create an action plan. They interviewed the school’s custodial staff to learn about the ventilation system. From a Plainsboro fireman, they learned that you should get out of the house if the carbon monoxide alarm goes off, but not open windows because emergency responders won’t be able to trace the source of the carbon monoxide if it dissipates.
   The students also contacted Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein (D-Plainsboro), who in March introduced Assembly Bill 2724, requiring carbon monoxide detectors in all school buildings.
   "We told Linda Greenstein we supported her bill when she visited our school," Rishi Patel said.
   Installing carbon monoxide detectors throughout the middle school would cost several thousand dollars, the students learned.
   As part of their action plan, the students will produce a public service announcement to broadcast in the school, and they will seek to put an announcement on the high school radio station. They will also bring their message to the Parent Teacher Student Association, and they may host an activity night to raise funds in support of their campaign.
   Project Citizen, a nationwide initiative, was founded in 1987 to teach students that they can make a difference in their communities, develop a greater understanding of the complexity of public policy, develop a commitment to active citizenship and learn communication skills.
   "An excellent curriculum has an authentic component," said Victoria Kniewel, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. Project Citizen provides that component, engaging students and showing them how their work can have an impact.
   Thomas Klimek said he values the public speaking experience he gained through the project. He sometimes stutters, and he said the project helped him build his confidence.
   Shane Bradley and Anelyse Porreca also participated in Tuesday’s presentation to the Board of Education. On May 19 the students will present their project at the Project Citizen state competition at Rutgers University.