The inaugural year of the Earth Awareness Researchers for Tomorrow’s Habit, or E.A.R.T.H. Program, concludes Thursday, May 4, with a workshop at the K-State Research and Extension Office, 7001 W. 21st St. N., from 8:30 AM to 2 PM.
Middle school students who participated in the E.A.R.T.H. curriculum will be able to choose from over 30 hands-on activities, indoors and out, focusing on air, water, land and living resources. Volunteers from government agencies and local businesses are staffing the activities.
The event’s keynote presentation will be made by Peter McGugan, a speaker on environmental issues from California. Food and drinks for the event will be provided by Albertson’s, Godfather’s Pizza, Pepsi and Quizno’s.
The 1999-2000 school year was the E.A.R.T.H. Program’s pilot year in Sedgwick County. Over 600 area middle school students participated in the program, which is designed to make them aware of environmental issues and give them the tools to solve current environmental problems and prevent further ones.
The E.A.R.T.H. Program is a collaborative effort among several area organizations, including the City of Wichita; the Wichita-Sedgwick County Department of Community Health; K-State Research and Extension, Sedgwick County; Bothwell Environmental Services; Great Plains Nature Center; Derby USD 260; Catholic Diocese of Wichita; Wichita State University College of Education; Great Plains Earth Institute; and the City of Wichita Water and Sewer Department.