Empowering Rural Students to Address Public and Climate Health Through Research

Posted on October 3, 2024

  • Project Description

    Project Narrative In the western US, climate change is leading to more frequent wildfires that produce smoke that adversely impacts millions of people each year. By educating middle school and high school students about climate change, wildfires, and public health through research, we hope to raise awareness about these emerging crises within rural communities, as well as increase students’ interest in STEM careers and research.

  • Abstract

    Project Summary / Abstract Climate change impacts are accelerating throughout the world. In the western US and Alaska, we are seeing significant increases in the frequency of wildfires, with smoke impacting our rural communities nearly every summer and fall. Children growing up these rural and medically underserved communities face unique challenges, and may not have straightforward access to educational experiences that cultivate knowledge and interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers. There is also a lack of educational opportunities related to the field of public health in our rural states, which are desperately needed as we address the emerging climate change crisis. Leveraging an existing network of 26 high schools located throughout rural areas of Montana, Idaho, and Alaska, we will add an additional 20 middle schools as we provide research opportunities for students to explore the topics of climate change, wildfires, and public health. With an evaluation plan consisting of a mixed method design, we will test the overall hypothesis that our program can be successfully utilized in rural, underserved areas to increase middle school and high school students’ interest in STEM careers and research. We will test this hypothesis through three Aims: Aim 1) facilitate remote learning and STEM research opportunities for students, Aim 2) facilitate student learning and career preparation through science communication practices, and Aim 3) provide teachers professional development to support their delivery of public and climate health curriculum. With SEPA funding, we intend to provide educational opportunities for a projected 1,200 students each year, with most of these students living in rural areas, including American Indian / Alaska Native communities.