SEARCH Takes on EARTH 2010
With heightened interest in environmental issues evident all across the world, fifth graders involved in the Huntington School District’s SEARCH program dove into a new unit this year called EARTH 2010.
“Each week the children conducted lab investigations to determine whether or not our Huntington water (rain as well as tap) was safe to drink,” said Maryann Daly, chairperson of SEARCH and a teacher in the program. The studies involved testing lead levels in ceramic plates, cups and even paint on the walls of the school, including the nurse’s office, classrooms and the cafeteria. Soil samples were taken from school, home and local neighborhoods for later testing.
The unit also took some surprise turns. “During this half-year unit, the news consistently highlighted the continuing controversy involving whether or not Charles Wang’s Lighthouse Project should be built on the site of the present Nassau Coliseum,” Mrs. Daly said. “Issues raised were the concern about the possible negative impact there would be on the surrounding environment. It seemed only logical to add lessons involving this topic to our unit.”
After viewing a website video of Mr. Wang’s proposed project, SEARCH students were given a role to play (neighbor down the street from the project, mayor of the town, local politician, small business owner, celebrity who might perform at the new site, senior citizen, etc.).
Students prepared arguments and pro and con posters and later made presentations during a mock town hall style meeting. “We then voted as a community and determined whose argument made the most sense to us,” Mrs. Daly said. “Some of the children had to present view opposite their own personal feelings, so as a follow-up, students were able to write their own comments and thoughts about the project.”
Mrs. Daly sent these comments directly to Mr. Wang and his staff members. When the public relations and community outreach coordinator at the Lighthouse Development Group e-mailed Mrs. Daly to thank her for her students’ thoughtful comments, the rep asked if the Lighthouse Group could come to Huntington and present their project to the students.
This spring Katrina Doell, representing Mr. Wang, came to deliver an hour long presentation to the SEARCH student groups. The session included a video clip and large visual display and a lengthy question and answer period.
“One child asked about the negative impact to the environment from construction and how the noise generated would affect the people living in the surrounding area,” Mrs. Daly said. “Another wanted to know where people would be able to park if the new plan was taking up all the empty parking lot space currently surrounding the Coliseum. A third wanted to know whether or not the public would be charged to enter the site and yet another wanted to know how long they had been planning to build this and why has it taken so long to be given the go ahead.”
After the conclusion of the presentation, many students had changed their initial opinion about the project, “not because Katrina swayed them her way but because she had answered their concerns so thoroughly,” Mrs. Daly said. “She told them that after Mr. Wang had read their comments, he had directed her to come and speak with them because he had a 10 year old son and felt young people should be included in these important and topical discussions.”
The SEARCH students were impressive in just how much information they had gathered about the project in advance of the visit, making the professional presentation even more meaningful. “This was a terrific representation of how children can be heard and taken seriously when they put the effort into learning about current events happening around them and actively taking part in it,” Mrs. Daly said.
When she was finished, Ms. Doell passed out Lighthouse Project baseball caps to the students. “They will remember this event for a long time because they realized that they can make a difference and people do listen,” Mrs. Daly said.
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