This March, Deb Valerio’s science club students from Windham-Ashland-Jewett (WAJ) once again returned to the
Agroforestry Resource Center to engage in hands on natural resource based education. Andrew Randazzo, an Environmental Educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene Counties worked with students to develop their understanding of groundwater.
Over half of the nation’s drinking supply comes from groundwater, making it a vital resource for youth to be aware of. The WAJ Science Club built model aquifers to help them better understand how ground water flows. The models served as an interactive experience for the club members to grasp the complexity of our earth’s natural systems.
In tandem with the aquifer experiment students planted bean seeds, some of which will be exposed to household cleaners over time. This experiment is designed to highlight the impacts of chemicals we often use on a daily basis, allowing students to consider ways to protect our drinking supply.
The WAJ Science Club would not be possible without the generous financial support of The Windham Foundation. The next session of the WAJ Science Club will take place in April.
Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities. The programs provided by this organization are partially funded by monies received from the Counties of Columbia and Greene.
4-H is New York’s only youth development program directly connected to the technological advances and the latest research at Cornell University. 4-H participants learn leadership, citizenship and life skills through hands-on projects in three primary program areas: science and technology; healthy living; and citizenship. To find out more about 4-H and youth programs in Columbia and Greene Counties, contact us at 518-828-3346 or Columbiagreene@cornell.edu or visit our website, www.ccecolumbiagreene.org . You can also “Like” us on Facebook…Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene Counties.