Mount Union Students, Faculty and Community Members Participate in Environmental Day at Local School

April 17, 2003

Mount Union College's Students for Environmental Awareness (SEA) sponsored "Environmental Day" at Marlington Middle School on Thursday, April 17. Aided by various campus and community organizations and volunteers, SEA hopes that the seventh graders involved left with a heightened awareness about the environment.

John Oliver, natural resources teacher at Marlington High School, shows the seventh graders how to dig a hole to plant a white oak tree.

 

April 17th was the last day of school for the Marlington students before spring break and usually a day reserved for some fun activities. "Environmental Day" was the brainchild of Mount Union senior Rebecca Hovanec of Canfield, a member of SEA, and a student teacher at Marlington Middle School.

"I think it is important to expose children to different issues, and this is the perfect opportunity for hands-on participation in environmental concerns," said Hovanec. "It is also a good way to get the community and parents involved with the school."

One of the students is seen planting a tree. Trees were provided by the Alliance Free Tree Program.

 

Some of the activities included a tree planting, a pond study, a plastic making activity, a landfill demonstration, and several other "stations" that the students rotated through.

Some of the sponsors and participants in "Environmental Day" included Alliance area Keep America Beautiful; the Alliance Wal-Mart, American Free Tree Program; Marlington Middle School administration, cafeteria workers, seventh grade teachers and parents; Stark Parks, and Waste Management Group.

From Mount Union College, the following participants were involved as sponsors or volunteers: Alpha Phi Omega, Blue Key, the education department faculty, the Huston-Brumbaugh Nature Center, Mount Union

The students were encouraged to come back when they graduate, and see how the trees they planted have grown.

 

Players, office of alumni and college activities, office of public affairs and marketing, Student National Education Association (SNEA), Student Senate and student teachers.

	A Marlington student plants a white oak tree.		The students were given a tree-climbing demonstration by a high school student who is involved in the agricultural and natural resources program.
	Mount Union College student Alexis Mohney, a biology major, helps the Marlington students with a "pond study."		The Marlington students examine a slide of a water sample taken from the nearby pond.
	Mount Union College student Leah Graham helps the students at a paper-making station.		Environmental Day at Marlington Middle School was a success, judging by the smile on the face of seventh grader Scott Wallace.