Youth Global Climate Change Symposium
Hundreds of students participate in the 1st annual
On May 5, 2006, 275 students, 11 teachers, 12 community partners and dozens of parents participated in the 1st annual Youth Global Climate Change Symposium. It was amazing! Students shined while showing off their projects. Presentations ranged from science fair style presentations to project citizen policy recommendations presented to Truckee mayor, Beth Ingalls and others. If you ask students what their favorite part of the day was, most of them will tell you that they loved watching the model solar cars race. The fastest car at the end of the day was made by a group of Alder Creek MS students. Students from Forest Charter school gave an informative presentation about bio-diesel myths and facts. Truckee high students informed us about our household carbon footprint—did you know that the average amount of garbage dumped per household per year at the Cabin Creek transfer station is 6,130 lbs!!! All that trash ends up in Reno, at the 3rd largest landfill in the US! Oh my!
Our keynote speaker, Doug Stoup, gave a compelling presentation about his treks to the N and S poles and Antarctica. He has been traveling to the icy areas of the world for years and has been noting the changes over time to the ice. On his last trip (N. Pole), he and his team had to swim in parts due to unexpected breaks in the ice! Thanks to all who participated in this symposium!!
The Youth Global Climate Change Symposium and other SWEP activities are funded by the State Farm Service-Learning Initiative.