Recorded presentation

Barry Schlegel, EdD, CIH¹, Lynn M. Waishwell, PhD, CHES², Laura Hemminger, MPH, CHES³, L Weidner, PhD¹, and Audrey R. Gotsch, DrPH, CHES⁴. (1) Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute- Public Education and Risk Communication, The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey- School of Public Health, 170 Frelinghuysen Rd, Room 236, Piscataway, NJ 08854, 732-445-0220, schlegba@umdnj.edu, (2) School of Public Health, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, 683 Hoes Lane West, Room 309, P.O. Box 9, Piscataway, NJ 08854, (3) Resource Center PERC, Liberty Plaza, 335 Goerge Street, Suite 2200, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, (4) School of Public Health, Univeristy of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, 683 Hoes Lane West, P.O. Box 9, Piscataway, NJ 08854

Innovative environmental health curricula that integrate science, math, health and language arts for 2nd and 5th grades were developed collaboratively by the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-School of Public Health (SPH), the Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute (EOHSI) and the Woodbridge Township School District. These two innovative ten-week curricula were created by district teachers and administrators using a successful curriculum development model created by SPH/EOHSI. A qualitative research study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the model, looking at such factors as organizational structure and teacher involvement. The study also identified the most effective approaches within the model being used for developing the integrated curriculum and how the model could be improved for future curriculum development projects. A quasi-experimental research study using a pre-test/post-test design is being conducted to determine the effectiveness of the integrated curricula in increasing students’ environmental health literacy and improving overall academic performance. The 2nd grade curriculum has been pilot-tested and initial results showed the treatment group had a mean percent increase in test scores of 45% versus an increase of only 5% for the controls. The 2nd grade curriculum is being implemented in all of the 16 Woodbridge Township District elementary schools and the 5th grade curriculum is being pilot-tested by 11 district teachers. Results of the 2nd grade implementation and the 5th grade pilot-test will be discussed. The tools, including pre- and post-test assessments and performance-based assessments, that were used for documenting the effectiveness of the curriculum will also be featured.

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