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Environmental Factor, August 2009, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

Community Support Aids Green Science Camp

By Laura Hall
August 2009

"Science is everywhere," said Sharon Beard, echoing a theme of the summer camp. Beard is chair of the Durham SEE and an NIEHS industrial hygienist in the Worker Education and Training Branch. (Photo by Laura Hall)

SEE campers posed for a group photo at the start of the fourth annual SEE Summer Camp. (Photo courtesy of Veronica Godfrey)

Joan Packenham, Ph.D., standing left, SEE Co-Chair and director of the NIEHS Office of Human Research Compliance and NIEHS Postdoctoral Fellow Undi Hoffler, Ph.D., standing center, explained principles of electricity and how to make batteries from fruits and vegetables. (Photo by Laura Hall)

Lauren Davis, Ph.D., right, taught sixth through eighth graders how to set up their solar ovens. Davis is an assistant professor in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. (Photo by Laura Hall)

Dick Sloane, NIEHS Employee Services Specialist, discussed the value of recycling. (Photo by Laura Hall)

Sandra White, left, poured liquid for parents Tammi Hayes, center, and Lisa Corbett to use in one of the adult science activities. (Photo by Laura Hall)

The Durham Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority provided a fun-filled day for children and adults with a focus on green science at the fourth annual Science and Everyday Experiences (SEE) day camp on July 11. Along with the sorority sisters and community volunteers, many NIEHS employees and retirees volunteered their time to assist in instructing thirty Durham Public School fourth- to eighth- grade children in science and math activities.

This year's camp activities focused on green issues, emphasizing alternative energy solutions. Dick Sloane of NIEHS gave a demonstration on recycling and composting. Walter Weathers of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) explained the operation of solar panels. The children learned about electric, solar and wind energy.

In some of their activities, the children made batteries using fruits and vegetables, fabricated solar ovens from pizza boxes to cook s'mores, engineered an anemometer from paper cups to measure wind speed and simulated air transportation by using balloons, fishing lines and straws to understand how the force of air can be used to propel a vehicle. The materials used in all the children's activities were everyday items that could be found at home.

Parents were also able to participate with an informational workshop and hands-on science activities. The adult program was organized by Marian Johnson-Thompson, Ph.D., who recently retired from her position as NIEHS director of Education and Biomedical Research Development and Sandra White, Ph.D., a North Carolina Central University (NCCU) professor and wife of former NIEHS Director Ken Olden, Ph.D.

In the parent workshop, the adults heard several speakers who informed them of the opportunities available to children interested in math and science. The talks covered special high school curricula programs available for North Carolina children within the local area and across the state, educational enrichment programs, and how to advocate for healthy food and exercise in schools.

The talks were well received by the parents in the audience. "Very interesting," remarked Tahra McLaughlin. "I wasn't expecting this wealth of knowledge." Participant Moses Best said the talks offered "very exciting information." The adults also had a tremendous time in their interactive science activities, making DNA necklaces and solving puzzles.

The camp was almost derailed by the theft (http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/1606541.html) of copper piping from the air conditioning units at the Durham Alumnae Delta House in Durham. As an alternative site for the camp, Rhonda Parker, director of Durham Parks and Recreation, offered the use of the W. D. Hill Recreation Center. Hedy Echard, one of the sorority members, commented that the offers for alternate sites were an example of "community support generated at the last moment."

The children barely noticed. They began their day with breakfast at the new site and a welcome by Deloris B. Hargrow, president of the Durham Alumnae Chapter, followed by a camp overview by Sharon Beard, NIEHS industrial hygienist. Then Shawn Jeter, an NIEHS technical information specialist who is also an aerobics instructor, led the children in physical exercises.

SEE (http://www.dst-durhamalumnae.org/seehome.htm) is a national initiative of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority (http://www.dst-durhamalumnae.org/index.html) to encourage African-American children to gain competency and interest in science, mathematics and technology, by involving them in hands-on science activities that are fun and thought provoking. These activities demonstrate to the children that people use science and math every day.

(Laura Hall is a biologist in the NIEHS Laboratory of Pharmacology currently on detail as a writer for the Environmental Factor.)

NIEHS volunteers at the 2009 SEE camp shown left to right are Joan Packenham, Marian Johnson-Thompson, Undi Hoffler, Elena Braithwaite, Danielle Watt, Milele Bynum, Mwenda Kudumu, and Sharon Beard. Not shown are NIEHS volunteers and supporters VeeVee Shropshire, Charletta Fowler, Dick Sloane, Shawn Jeter, Veronica Godfrey and Kimberly Gray. (Photo by Laura Hall)

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