San Diego Environmental Education Program Teaches Kids to Cut Pollution

Local environmental nonprofit, I Love A Clean San Diego (ILACSD), is leading the charge to educate the next generation of environmental stewards. As the organization celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, it is using innovative classroom presentations to educate local youth about the importance of pollution prevention.

During the 2013-2014 school year, ILACSD reached 8,500 San Diego County middle and high school students from 61 schools through its signature Watershed Education Program. ILACSD educators conducted a total of 362 education presentations as part of this program, a 14 percent increase from the previous school year.

The purpose of these education presentations are to increase the student’s awareness of their environmental surroundings, reinforce the importance of keeping our waterways clean, and to encourage students to engage in everyday behaviors that will make a positive impact on the local environment. The presentations are conducted in partnership with the County of San Diego Watershed Protection Program, the City of San Diego Storm Water & Transportation Department – Think Blue, and the City of Chula Vista.

The presentations inspire environmental action by using engaging teaching mechanisms, such as hands-on learning, demonstrations, discussion, and technology including Google Earth virtual tours and videos to teach the curricula. Presentations include information on the following topics: watersheds, land and water pollution prevention, recycling, ocean conservation and provides opportunities to participate in community service activities such as volunteering at an upcoming ILACSD cleanup.

Impact of the presentations:

• Participating schools have reported seeing a decrease in litter on campus and classrooms in the weeks following the presentation as reported by multiple teachers.
• Participating schools have seen an increase in students showing engagement and potential to participate in upcoming ILACSD events.
• ILACSD has received numerous requests to speak at club meetings.

In order to gain valuable data regarding students’ behaviors and level of knowledge about their watershed, ILACSD begins each presentation with a pre-presentation survey. This survey asks students basic questions like, “What is a watershed?” and “In which watershed is your school located?” These questions are intended to provide a baseline to measure students’ knowledge prior to the presentation. Next, ILACSD educators conduct a 45-minute presentation using tactile learning, slides, and videos to give students a snapshot of their watershed and how their behaviors can impact their watershed.

After the presentation, ILACSD educators conduct a post-presentation survey, which includes the same questions posed to them at the beginning of the presentation. The results of these pre and post tests are tabulated and analyzed by Action Research, a local firm who interprets the data and provides suggestions for presentation modifications that will increase the students comprehension of these topics.

ILACSD has seen a positive response from the education presentation:

• Students showed an average 137 percent increase in knowledge after receiving the presentation (from analysis of pre-test scores and post-test scores).
• Students were 22 percent more likely to participate in a beach cleanup and 45 percent more likely to tell others about how to prevent storm water pollution.
• Students were relatively well informed about the negative effects of motor oil on local waterways, but less concerned about the impact of green waste like yard clippings. On average, students increased their awareness of lesser known sources of pollution, including cigarette butts litter (21% increase) and washing cars on the street (65% increase).

Parents and educators can learn more about ILACSD’s education programs online. To request an ILACSD education presentation, please contact ILACSD at education@cleansd.org.

About I Love A Clean San Diego (ILACSD)
Celebrating its 60th anniversary, I Love A Clean San Diego (ILACSD) is the go-to organization for programs that enhance and conserve San Diego County’s environment. Through recycling, education and cleanups of the region’s most beloved areas, ILACSD provides pollution prevention programs that pave the way for a cleaner and healthier San Diego right now, and for future generations.

In 2013, ILACSD with the support of 30,505 volunteers, removed 220 tons of debris from San Diego communities, conducted 219 cleanups and gave 600 education presentations reaching 31,000 people. ILACSD is an award-winning, environmental program innovator, with recent recognition from Keep America Beautiful. The organization’s innovative programs and initiatives prove ILACSD is a leader in the environmental movement. For more information, to volunteer or donate, visit www.cleansd.org or call (619) 291-0103. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.