Representing the Water Department at the Delaware Valley Earth Force summit at the Philadelphia Zoo. I spoke with students about the many professional careers that have something to do with water.
Family Programs
I developed, marketed and conducted seasonal family programs such as those publicized with the flyers below. They delivered water department themes about reducing polllution and involved hands-on activities for all ages.
Somerton Tanks Farm Water and Soil Program
I developed the Philadelphia Water Department's Water and Soil program based at Somerton Tanks Farm. Targeted to school students, the program teaches how land use affects water quality, environmental health and human health. See photos of a farm tour here. Read the Winter 2006 Somerton Tanks Farm newsletter here. Download the Soil and Water lesson description here.
"The Scoop on Poop": Managing Stormwater Runoff
I developed and delivered a stormwater runoff program in which students use a story in rebus form to work their way through the exhibit area of the Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center and learn about stormwater runoff. Teacher materials are here:
Download fwwic_stormwater_runoff_workbook_student_edition.doc
Download fwwic_stormwater_runoff_lesson_description_rev011005.doc
In addition, I developed additional materials for teachers to use to supplement the onsite activities: worksheets, links to interactive games and the like. INTERACTIVE WEB PAGES - CLICK HERE.
Programs on Floods
Since polluted stormwater runoff and floods are becoming more and more of a problem in urban and suburban areas under development pressure, I developed a family program about the issue. In these pictures and move, Ecologist John Munro demonstrates both natural stream meandering and erosion under different scenarios of stream side development, bridge and culvert design and construction, and rain events.
Boy Scouts Scientist Activity Badge
I have developed a program for the Water Department that Webelo Boy Scouts can use to earn, or nearly earn, their Scientist Activity Badge. Here are the modules in PowerPoint format that make up the program which is conducted in a laboratory: download here
See photos of the Merion Cub and Webelo Boy Scouts program at the Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center on January 20, 2007 here
Demonstrating Stormwater Runoff with the Enviroscape
Sometimes on outreaches to schools or fairs I take the Philadelphia Water Department "enviroscape" This one was custom-made for the Water Department and shows the Philadelphia skyline- City Hall, Liberty Place, the PSFS building and our rivers- the Schuylkill and Delaware. Below is a "science night" held at the Henry School in Mount Airy and organized by the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education.
More photos can be found here.
Here's a little movie of the enviroscape in action.
For more info, email info @ brianrudnick. com
Participation in American Cities Foundation Urban Environmental Summit
I brought along the Enviroscape to the American Cities Foundation Urban Environmental Summit at the School of the Future on Earth Day, April 21 and spoke briefly at the workshop on Environment and Economic Development on the Philadelphia Water Department's demonstration farm at Somerton Tanks. Pictured smiling below are some of the American Cities organizers of the day, Shelah, Gerald and Tiffany.
Delaware Estuary/PWD Drawing Contest
I participated in the judging of this contest. on February 28, 2007. Students from Philadelphia schools, grades K-12 created original artwork dealing with the issue of stormwater runoff. The winning drawings, 4 from each of 4 grade categories will appear in a calendar and the top winners will have their artwork posted in placards on SEPTA buses.
George Washington Carver Science Fair 2007
The George Washington Carver Science Fair in Philadelphia encourages youth to pursue careers in science. It is sponsored by Temple University, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the School District of Philadelphia and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and is open to public, charter, parochial, private and home schooled students residing in Philadelphia County. The fair has been chaired since its beginnings by Thomas Anderson, Jr.
George Washington Carver was born a slave but later became a noted botany researcher, inventor and humanitarian thus breaking negative stereotypes of African Americans.
I had the honor of acting as one of judges on February 27, 2007 for this competition among 4th to 6th graders, reviewing their posterboard presentations and conducting in-person interviews with them about their submissions. The work of these students was impressive. Photos of their posters can be found here
