During the month of July, the Youth Science Communication Workshop at Pitt will be hosting a series of events for middle schoolers interested in environmental science. These one-day workshops, held at various locations throughout Pittsburgh, aim to introduce students to environmental education and computer science. Through hands-on activities and nature outings, participants will investigate a topic, gather data, and utilize basic coding to communicate and share their findings. The programs will not only teach valuable methods for communicating science but also develop digital literacy skills.
Stephen Quigley, the program organizer and 2023-24 John C. Mascaro Faculty Lecturer in Sustainability, is particularly excited about the river health event on July 16 and the sustainable design event on July 25. Both events will take place at the Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation. Quigley expressed excitement about exploring sustainable design problems and solutions with middle schoolers, noting how their curiosity and creativity often lead to innovative approaches for understanding and communicating technical information about the built environment.
Students do not need any prior experience working with code in order to participate in these workshops. Quigley emphasized that the program is designed to make web coding accessible to all participants. Attendees will not only learn about nature and environmental science but also gain a foundational understanding of how code functions and what it can achieve.
The Youth Science Communication Workshop is generously funded by the John C. Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation and Pitt’s Year of Data and Society. Interested individuals can register online to participate in these engaging and educational events.
