The Corporate Adopt-a-School Program is a means for corporations to support today's youth by providing critical environmental health curricula to schools nationwide. Through the Corporate Adopt-a-School Program, a partnership is formed between a school district, local corporation and the Resource Center of EOHSI. Corporate sponsors are kept informed of all activities throughout the program's implementation.

Corporate sponsors support a comprehensive program that may include: curricular materials, hands-on teacher training, ongoing support by training center staff, field trips, fact sheets, newsletters, a reference library and Internet access. All training initiatives are tailored to meet each district's specific needs.

Our teachers and students have always been extremely interested in the environment.  Through the Corporate Adopt-A-School Program, we now have access to new activities and resources to explore our world.  The teachers view the training as an opportunity to expand on their own educational growth process and a chance to establish comaraderie with their peers.  Their enthusiasm translated into a heightened appreciation of how their actions affect their world and what each of them can do to help the environment.  Catherine Danchak, Science Coordinator, Nutley Public School System, NJ This program is a huge success.  This is a belief we arrived at from the positive reactions of teachers.  By taking an active role, arranging for our own evaluation team to go into the schools, we have seen, first-hand, the impact of this program.  We recognize the substance of EOHSI's materials and the successful structure of its training.  Teachers are not alone as they learn about the environment.  Larry Mondschein, PhD, Manager of Chemical Information, Johnson & Johnson

Interactive television (ITV) employs state-of-the-art technology to link multiple locations throughout New Jersey and beyond. Teachers are able to see and speak to each other, enjoying immediate and personal interaction eventhough they are miles apart. Participating districts are required to have the ITV technology already in place. The schools involved in ITV work with EOHSI to set the training agenda. Together, we decide on which curriculum to focus and what grade-level teachers. Districts are involved in three training sessions during a school year:

• Curriculum overview
• Curriculum integration strategies; Field trip
• Program review; Sharing session

Increase your environmental health sciences knowledge.
Enjoy dialogues with scientists and professionals.
Receive free award-winning curricular materials.
Participate in hands-on learning activities.
Exchange ideas with colleagues.
Address the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards.
And much more - all at no charge!!

Each July, the Resource Center offers K-12th grade educators a unique opportunity to excite their students about learning. By attending the annual Environmental Health Sciences Summer Institute for Educators, teachers receive materials that help students experience science while focusing on environmental health issues relevant to their lives.

Our series of one- and two-day workshops held at the EOHSI building in Piscataway, NJ, help meet the education needs of teachers while promoting the use of the environment as a learning tool. Facilitated by EOHSI educators, scientists and classroom teachers, the workshops primarily focus on EOHSI’s curricula and are offered in small group settings. Sessions may emphasize investigative experiments, case studies, role plays, a tour of EOHSI, roundtable discussions with scientists and field trips.

A science background is not required. In fact, our goal is to assist teachers in enhancing their capacity to include science and math concepts in existing lessons. Participants receive training and materials - including lesson plans, student handouts, an oversized children’s book, games or a video - valued up to $95.00 - to help students develop critical thinking, problem solving and decision making skills.

Topics for the seventh annual Summer Institute include:

• Toxicology and Risk Assessment
• Ecology and Recycling
• Water Pollution
• Environmental Health Challenges for High School
• Environmental Resources on the Internet

We want YOUR DISTRICT/REGION to join the ToxRAP™ Network!

• Increase your personal knowledge of environmental issues
• Enhance your telecommunications proficiency
• Establish educational partnerships
• Enjoy dialogues with research scientists, medical experts and environmental professionals
• Discover methods to teach students decision making, critical thinking and problem solving skills
• Receive award-winning curricular materials
• Learn how ToxRAP™ modules address National Science Education Standards and the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards

This unique train-the-trainer initiative is offered by the Resource Center of EOHSI in collaboration with the Southwest Environmental Health Sciences Center (SWEHSC) at the University of Arizona. The training is based on ToxRAP™ (Toxicology, Risk Assessment and Pollution), EOHSI's innovative curricular series which introduces K-9th grade students to the principles of toxicology and the process of risk assessment.

Each year, EOHSI/SWEHSC accept ten school districts, five in the east and five in the west, into the program. To participate, your district must designate a leadership team, comprising at least one administrator and two teachers.

After the three-day training, leadership teams are responsible for implementing the curriculum into their classrooms and training 15-20 teachers per year in their district/region for a minimum of two years. Currently, Network participants can be found in Alaska, Arizona, California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania and South Carolina.

Our district's emphasis in science and health is to move towards a more inquiry-based approach.  We're pleased to see how well ToxRAP™ compliments our program.  ToxRAP™'s teacher prep workshop thoroughly covered the units and provided time and expertise to explore the exciting technological component.  Tucson Unified School District, AZ   Our group finds ToxRAP™ to be an excellent curriculum that is well put together and teacher freindly.  The benefits of using ToxRAP™ are that it teaches students skills that reach across disciplines and allows teachers to integrate these skills into all subject areas...  Students will gain knowledge of scientific and mathematical concepts and their relevance to everyday life.  Students will also learn collaborative skills that will allow them to share creativity in new situations...  ToxRAP™ provides a thematic curriculum for teachers to follow to which they can integrate with other required content and skills.  The SMILE Program, OR   We believe that ToxRAP™ will provide teachers and students with the learning experiences that foster scientific literacy.  Through these experiences [they] will be able to think critically about issues that directly affect them.  They will be encouraged to become informed citizens who understand their ability and responsibilty to impact the larger community through involvement and participation.  Little Egg Harbor School District , NJ

Is your school in search of in-service teacher training opportunities that explore environmental health, foster critical thinking and problem solving skills and address the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards and the National Science Education Standards?

If so, contact the Resource Center of EOHSI. Our wide variety of K-12th grade curricular materials are designed to enhance your school's science, math, health, social studies, computer and/or language arts lessons.

Focusing on EOHSI's inquiry-based curricula developed by scientists and professionals, our environmental health educators will come to your school and present workshops tailored to meet your specific needs. Workshops can delve into the "how's" and "why's" of air pollution, recycling, toxicology and risk assessment and occupational health - just to name a few!

Training workshops may include award-winning lesson plans, hands-on activities, fact sheets, videos, computer software, games and books, field trips, speakers, technology integration and access to scientists and professionals at EOHSI.

Fees depend on curriculum and length of presentation. Training is available throughout the year. Contact the Resource Center today for more information!