Frequently asked questions
- What will I learn at the Hazards on the Homefront teacher training workshop?
- What are the benefits of the teacher workshop?
- How will the topic of household hazardous products and waste fit into my curriculum?
- Is the workshop really free?
- Who can attend? Do I have to be a certified teacher?
- Why is the program only for grades 4-12?
- Who offers the clock hours or college credit?
- What is the format of the workshop?
- What are the requirements for earning the stipend?
- Do I need to take a workshop or can someone from King County present a lesson on HHW to my class?
- Can I receive a copy of your teacher guide without attending the workshop?
- What are some field trips relevant to the topic of HHW?
- How can I receive a grant for my HHW project?
- What types of projects does King County support?
1. What will I learn at the Hazards on the Homefront teacher training workshop?
The workshop provides background on how to identify hazardous household products, what their impact is on both the environment and human health, how we are exposed to them, how to limit use of them through safer alternatives, and how to dispose of them properly. During the workshop, the instructors model or demonstrate lessons in the teacher guide, so you will be able to return to the classroom and teach the same lessons.
2. What are the benefits of the teacher workshop?
By the end of the day, you will be able to
teach at least three lessons from the guide, complete with lesson overheads and student handouts.
sign up for project assistance and presentations and apply for a grant.
leave with a Green Cleaning Kit to supplement your teaching.
3. How will the topic of household hazardous products and waste fit into my curriculum?
This topic has a variety of applications.
Science: Household hazardous waste (HHW) ties into biology, chemistry, integrated physical science, earth science, and environmental science. Teachers have incorporated HHW issues into lessons on watersheds, soils, salmon, and general ecology. Lessons have also been adapted for the FOSS Environments Kits and the science WASL.
Health: Activities in the teacher guide help students determine their exposure to hazardous products, identify factors that affect their health, and understand how to reduce their risk by choosing less hazardous products. Students also learn about labels on personal care and other popular products.
Family and Consumer Science: HHW ties in well with making educated decisions about the products we purchase and use and their impact on family and pet health.
Technical and Career Education: Many of the most hazardous products we purchase are those used for woodworking, auto maintenance, and home repairs. Learning about the proper selection, use, and disposal of these products is important for health and safety.
Writing/Reading: All lessons in the guide include journal writing, reflection, and reading for information. The reading and writing skills practiced in these lessons will aid students as they make consumer decisions throughout their lives.
Art: In addition to teaching how to identify safer art materials, many of the lessons incorporate activities such as designing product labels, brochures, posters, and other creative pieces as a means of increasing student undertsanding of household hazardous products.
Social Studies: Students can learn about the multiple government agencies involved in regulating the different types of household hazardous products. They can practice communication skills such as reading, writing, and understanding advertising and product labels.
top of page
4. Is the workshop really free?
Yes, as long as you are a King County teacher.
5. Who can attend? Do I have to be a certified teacher?
The program is offered to all King County teachers of grades 4-12. Substitute and preservice teachers also may attend. The only requirement is that after the training you teach the material in some capacity, whether in a classroom or community setting.
6. Why is the program only for grades 4-12?
What makes a product hazardous varies and may involve many different and sometimes complex criteria. Younger students do not have the cognitive ability to grasp the subtleties in understanding what makes one product safer than another, nor are they involved in using most of these products.
7. Who offers the clock hours or college credit?
Clock hours are offered through the Puget Sound Educational Service District.
College credit, offered in the summer for 10-hour workshops, is provided through Seattle Pacific University.
top of page
8. What is the format of the workshop?
The workshop is a mix of presentation, hands-on lessons, and discussion. The goal is to expose teachers to most of the lessons of the guide by the end of the workshop.
9. What are the requirements for earning the stipend?
You must teach at least two lessons or concepts from the guide and complete an evaluation form.
10. Do I need to take a workshop or can someone from King County present a lesson on HHW to my class?
Classroom presentations are generally only available to teachers who take the workshop. A classroom presenter can work with you and your students on customizing a presentation to tie into your curriculum or on conducting a clasroom project.
11. Can I receive a copy of your teacher guide without attending the workshop?
Generally, we do not provide the guide directly to teachers who have not taken the workshop which provides important background information that will help in teaching this material to students. However, if you have a specific idea or lesson in mind, we can send you activities or lessons.
top of page
12. What are some field trips relevant to the topic of HHW?
Field trips that tie into this topic include
King County wastewater treatment plant
Cedar Hills Landfill
Cedar River Watershed Environmental Education Center
Find contact information at http://www.lhwmp.org/home/educators/fieldtrips.aspx.
13. How can I receive a grant for my HHW project?
Teachers who take the teacher workshop are eligible to receive up to $500 to conduct a project that encourages the education of others about this important topic.Read about previous grant recipients at http://your.kingcounty.gov/solidwaste/education/minigrants.asp
14. What types of projects does King County support?
Projects that have received funding include
producing videos or printing brochures about household hazardous products and safer alternatives.
planting native plants on school grounds.
conducting scientific research on the effects of hazardous products, and sharing that information with the community.
top of page
|
