Bristol, Pa.'s Watershed Kids

With concern and misinformation about West Nile Virus buzzing around their Bristol, Pa., community, the "Watershed Kids" of Roosevelt Middle School launched a powerful education campaign to deliver the facts to local residents.

Each year, the student group brainstorms on issues related to wetlands, watersheds, and environmental laws and regulations to identify actions it can take. Early in the 2002-03 school year, the Watershed Kids decided that numerous news stories about dead birds infected with the West Nile Virus warranted further investigation. The students wanted to know if the alarm was media hype or if there was genuine cause for concern in the community.

Their service-learning project began with an Internet investigation and grew to include partnerships with the Department of Health and the Delaware River Basin Commission, both of which provided extensive information on the subject. After reviewing and reflecting on their research, the students realized there was no way to eliminate the virus, but they could educate and rally the community to stop its spread.

The group launched a service-learning project to reach members of the community through brochures, presentations, school activities, and cable TV. The group surveyed students, community members, and public officials, assessing their knowledge of how West Nile spreads. That information led to the creation of "Back Yard Checklist," a brochure outlining ways to reduce the mosquito population. The brochure was distributed directly to local residents and at a nearby mall. They also created a PowerPoint presentation, which they used at engagements with community groups and schools and at a statewide environmental conference.

To reach younger children who, in turn, could educate their parents, the Watershed Kids developed fun, interactive lessons that were used in local elementary school classrooms. They collaborated with the local cable company to create a public service video, documenting their research, actions, and recommendations. The video aired on the community channel and is available to the public.