2026 Environmental Science, Health, and the Public Sphere Youth Training

Grow your scientific, communication, critical thinking, and leadership skills while exploring the University of Arizona! 

 

Only 40 spots available each week! Register HERE! 

The 40-hour in-person youth training will cover the following areas through hands-on activities

  1. Environmental Biology
  2. Environmental Communication
  3. Environmental Science and Health
  4. Research Methodologies
  5. Professional Skill-Building
  6. Science through the Arts
  7. Soil and Water Quality and Atmospheric Dust

The youth training is aligned with National Health Education, National Academy of Science, and Arizona Education Standards. Each area will consist of: (1) Introduction, (2) hands-on, inquiry-based activity, (3) creation and reflection, (4) data sharing and visualization, and (5) public speaking and communicating science through the arts!

After this training, you will gain understanding in:

  • Air Quality
  • Applied Science
  • Biodiversity
  • Community-Based Participatory Research
  • Environmental Data Analysis
  • Environmental Contamination
  • Environmental Ethics
  • Environmental Health Literacy
  • Environmental Interpretation
  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Environmental Policy
  • Environmental Science
  • Fire Science
  • Nutrient Cycling
  • Outdoor Safety & Preparedness
  • Personal Wellness
  • Plant Identification
  • Poetry
  • Political Ecology
  • Pottery
  • Sediment Sampling
  • Soil Contamination
  • Soil Science
  • Undergraduate College Life
  • Water Science & Resources

Outcomes

  1. We anticipate that after the training, youth will have an increased:
    1. Awareness, knowledge, and understanding of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) concepts, processes
    2. Interest in STEAM concepts, processes, and careers
    3. Understanding of the scientific process
    4. Skillset related to using instruments, following data collection protocol
    5. Ability to communicate environmental issues
    6. Ability to create data visualizations
  2. The training will build self-efficacy and confidence for learning, doing, and communicating science
  3. Youth participation will culminate in a photovoice project, the compilation of photographs and written interpretations of local environmental issues and projects
  4. Through the photovoice project, youths will apply knowledge and concepts discussed in the training to explain environmental public health and deepen engagement with their local community.
  5. Youths will be trained on how to engage their communities as leaders and how to cultivate strong partnerships around shared issues with adults, governmental and non-governmental organizations as well as other stakeholder groups.

Example Schedule*

*Schedule will vary slightly by location and is subject to change.

*Light snack will be available during morning & afternoon work sessions

nature_peopleEnvironmental Science (ENVS) & Health
handymanSTEM Workshops
chatEnvironmental Communication (ENVComm)
query_statsResearch Methods & Practical Life Skill-Building
brushScience through the Arts
Time
PLACE-BASED PRE-TRAINING ORIENTATION
TBD

Soil Sampling Intro

nature_people handyman query_stats
 

Photovoice Intro

nature_people handyman chat query_stats brush
 

Water Sampling Intro

nature_people handyman query_stats
 
Opportunity for Particulate Matter and Settled Dust Monitoring nature_people handyman query_stats
Time
Sunday – Arrival, Orientation, & Introductions
3:00-4:30
Check in
4:30-5:00
Housing Orientation
5:00-6:30
Welcome Dinner and Training Orientation
6:30-8:00
STEM Workshop – Civil Engineering Challenge handyman chat query_stats brush
8:00-9:00
8 Dimensions of Wellness Introduction nature_people query_stats
Time
Monday – 1st Full Day
8:45-9:15
Breakfast
10:00-11:00
STEM Workshops: Water Testing nature_people handyman chat query_stats
Data Introductionnature_people chat query_stats
11:15-12:30
Visualize Water Sampling Data nature_people handyman chat query_stats brush
Introduce Connection to Communities - Educational Escape Roomnature_people chat query_stats
12:45-1:45
Lunch
2:00-4:15
ENVComm – Special Collections nature_people chat query_stats
Research Methodologies: UA Library Tour & Visit chat query_stats
4:30-6:00
STEM Workshop: CATalyst Tourhandyman
Connection to Communities – Educational Escape Room nature_people chat query_stats
6:15-7:00
Dinner
7:15-9:00
ENVComm through Poetry nature_people chat query_stats brush
Science through the Arts – Poetry Extension chat brush
Reflect on 1st Day, Introduce Day 2query_stats
Time
Tuesday – 2nd Full Day
8:45-9:15
Breakfast
10:00-12:30
STEM Workshop: Outdoor & Emergency First Aid with Kit Building nature_people handyman query_stats
12:45-1:45
Lunch
2:00-4:00
STEM Workshop: Dust with Air Quality Index nature_people handyman chat query_stats
5:00-6:00
Policy Case Study & Socratic Circle nature_people chat query_stats
6:15-7:00
Dinner
7:15-9:00
Soil Painting, Positionality Collage Making, Finish First Aid Kit Building if Needed chat query_stats brush
Reflect on Day 2, Introduce Day 3query_stats
Time
Wednesday – 3rd Full Day
8:45-9:15
Breakfast
9:30-10:00
Environmental Communication: Why Report Data Back? nature_people chat query_stats
10:00-11:30
STEM Workshop: Wildfires, Flash Floods, & Health Interactive Data Exploration & Review nature_people handyman chat query_stats brush
11:45-12:45
Data Report Back, Awareness, and/or Prevention Zine Making nature_people chat query_stats brush
12:45-1:45
Lunch
2:00-6:00
STEM Workshop: Fire Ecology Learning Lab (FELL) nature_people handyman chat query_stats
6:15-7:00
Dinner
7:15-9:00
Youth Voices: Power Mapping & Spheres of Influence nature_people chat query_stats
Data Report Back, Awareness, and/or Prevention Zine Making nature_people handyman chat query_stats brush
Reflect on Day 3, Introduce Day 4query_stats
Time
Thursday – 4th Full Day
8:45-9:15
Breakfast
9:30-10:45
STEM Workshop: Soil Workshop nature_people handyman chat query_stats
11:00-12:30
Policy Case Study Poster Development nature_people chat query_stats brush
12:45-1:45
Lunch
2:00-4:00
Pottery: Soil Lesson, Soil Texturing Activity, Clay Uses, & Pinch Pot Making nature_people handyman chat query_stats brush
4:00-6:00
Caption Photovoices nature_people chat query_stats brush
STEM Workshop: CATalyst handyman brush
6:15-7:00
Dinner
7:15-9:00
Share Activities from the Week & Practice Presentations if Presenting at Ceremonies chat query_stats brush
Reflect on Day 4, Introduce Day 5 query_stats
Time
Friday – Last Day!
8:30-10:30
Breakfast with College & Career Panel / Breakout Groups nature_people chat query_stats brush
10:45-11:00
Check-Out of Dorms
11:15-12:15
Policy Case Study Socratic Seminar nature_people chat query_stats
12:30-2:45
Lunch and Go to Final Celebration with Families!
3:00-6:00
Dinner Celebration & Presentations with Families!

Running into issues registering? Here are all the steps.

Check back soon for future micro-credential training dates and locations!