Students from Dallas and Fort Worth Can Academy schools attended the three-day Earth Day Texas celebration at Fair Park over the national Earth Day weekend. It was the culmination of an environmentally themed science fair week held at all Dallas and Fort Worth Can campuses. They brought a sample of the science fair projects from nine schools across Texas to display and explain the experiments to visitors that stopped by their table.
An environmental quiz and do-it-yourself terrariums were also part of the charter high school’s booth at Earth Day Texas. Guests were asked questions such as “How do you know whether an item can be recycled or not?” and “What are some ways that large cities can lower air pollution?” Correct answers were rewarded with small prizes and the students and teachers were happy to see most people knew the answers.
Making terrariums from recyclable plastic two liter bottles, juice containers and plastic cups was a very popular activity for those attending the outdoor festival. Students helped those who wanted to make their own terrarium fill their containers with soil, plants and rocks and then attach twine or ribbon to them so that they can be hung outside. While making the plant containers, principles of botany, water cycle, evaporation and photosynthesis were explained.
“We had an awesome opportunity as a science team to showcase some of our students’ environmental projects at Earth Day Texas this year,” said Denikwa Denson, Dallas Can Academy instructional specialist. “Our students were especially excited about their experience with the younger elementary students that stopped by the booth. We hope to continue to expose our students to ways that they can make Earth a better place to live.”
During the three-day event the students taught people who visited their exhibit how easy it is to make green choices in everyday living. The science fair exhibits made by their classmates proved hypothesis demonstrating that taking care of our environment also takes care of us by saving money, improving our health and safety.
Texans Can Academies are a unique network of 11 charter schools located in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio. The schools are tuition-free, open enrollment, public high schools of choice serving students who have struggled in a traditional high school setting. To date, more than 115,000 youth have been given a second chance at life with the opportunity to pursue their dreams by attending their schools. For more information, visit: www.texanscan.org.