Troy High Biology Students Learn & Share at Human Impact Learning Fair

Twenty-four Troy High biology classes participated in a biology learning fair that focused on how humans are impacting the earth and our environment. Students were asked to generate creative and actionable solutions including, but not limited to, Troy High School students, Troy community members, Michigan residents, and in some cases, those that live in the United States. Some of these solutions included an actionable or educational event, new programs, fundraisers, and grant proposals.

The problems addressed by students were plastic pollution, air pollution, water pollution deforestation, climate change, invasive species, economic impacts, natural disasters; negative effects on the environment caused by humans. The objectives of the Learning Fair were to have an audience for students to present to and show off their hard work, allowing them to learn from their peers, and pick up some additional information on things they can do to lessen the negative impact humans are causing on our environment.

This project was important to the students because as they continue throughout their lives, they can make small (or big) changes that can have a large impact on our environment. They could influence others to also make changes in the future. This project provided them with a purpose and the need to help our Earth. It also provided them with the experience of collaboration with other students, and an opportunity to use their critical research and thinking skills while being creative and developing an action plan to help solve their human impact. In addition, students practiced their communication skills and experienced a sense of community by participating in the Learning Fair. The projects were displayed creatively and beautifully on posters. Many students included “hypothetical” advertisements of the activities they planned that could one day become reality.

Approximately 500+ students (24 biology classes, 208 different groups) participated in the fair, with over 100+ attendees including parents, administrators, teachers, and other students from THS.

Teachers involved in the fair: Rachel Cervi, Amanda Chin, Meghan Sermo, Emily Zedan, Autumn Spiteri, Sydney Barosko, Alyssa Armstrong, Noelle Wald, and Jeff Forshey

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Photos courtesy of Troy Schools and Creative Guild Content Producer Thomas Butcher