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On Friday May 8th, EPA staff participated in Math and Science Day held at Six Flags – DC. Check the Year of Science Web site for local events where you can celebrate the role of science. Or you could work with others in your neighborhood to host your own Math and Science Day.

Photo ScrapbookFollow these links for images from the Math and Science Day 2009:

Pandy Pollution tests out the Lung Capacity kit

On Math and Science Day, signs reminded visitors to protect the planet with interesting facts, like this one: "An average family of 4 uses 400 gallons of water everyday!"

Kids asking the EPA staff about Sun Safety at the Sunwise table

Pandy Pollution joins kids learning about how bugs can be important indicators of water quality.

EPA Staff explaining to a group of kids (one who wears his love of lobsters on his head!) about water quality.

A young lady finding out her approximate lung capacity with the help of an EPA staffer

EPA staff explaining how run off can degrade a stream, impacting the water dwelling creatures.

EPA\'s Thirstin - a mascot for the drinking water team

At the start of the day - unpacking the brochures and educational items for the kids and teachers.

EPA staff testing out the lung capacity module

EPA Staff at the "Spin the Wheel" and "Trash Talk" table ready to teach kids about the importance of recycling!

EPA Staffer getting the "Get Bugged About Water Quality" table ready for the kids

The kids and teachers gathering for the opening of Math and Science Day. Lots of excited youngsters!

Kids enjoying one of the rides

Thirstin and a fan

EPA staff proudly showing their "Wetlands are wild" temporary tattoos

Pandy Pollution, surrounded by kids, was a big hit as the environmental ambassador

Pandy helping to direct kids to the Trash Talk table

EPA Staffer explaining the water cycle to a park visitor

EPA Staffer demonstrating pollution moving through the ground water system

The "Get Bugged about Water Quality" module

Pandy Pollution poses for a picture with a hardworking EPA staffer

Pandy Pollution poses with a friend from Six Flags

Pandy Pollution poses with another hardworking EPA staffer

ReflectionsThoughts from EPA Staffers who volunteered for Math and Science Day

Upon arrival to six flags, they were eager to play, not at first interested in learning. After playing for a while they came to realize that learning was essential to energize their day.

I learned 86% of household trash can be recycled. I think twice now before I throw anything away.

I was impresssed by the number of students that stopped by the booth and their interest in the water cycle and groundwater model.

Being at a very public event and interacting with so many kids from such a variety of communities and backgrounds proved to me once again how important environmental education is. More than one child said they had never planted a seed or heard about the good and the bad effects of sun rays.

From the "Managing Expectations" department: Much laughter as the park opened and hundreds of children appeared to be rushing our table, then whooshed by, to the Flying Carousel ride situated directly behind us. Once kids got a ride or two under their belt, though, they enjoyed our demonstration!

Math and Science Day was one of the most fun days I\'ve had since joining the EPA. Watching children (and adults!) having fun while learning a little about what we do reminds me of why I love science so much.

I enjoyed reaching out to our future scientist and educating them on the importance of taking care of the environment.

Although it didn\'t happen very often, the experience of having a kid come up to the booth and be totally engaged, asking questions that made ME think, especially when they could be on a ride made me realize that all the effort of the day was absolutely worth it.

I found it interesting that only the very young kids (1st grade and under) got the correct answer to the first ? on the waste wheel (deals with the "reduce" part of the 3Rs). It even stumped adults!

Tweets From the FieldWhile participating in Math and Science Day, we microblogged to Twitter from a mobile device. The log has been compiled below. Note the time stamps were set incorrectly for PST – we’ve adjusted here to EST.Today a team of EPA staff are teaching kids about environmental science - we're ready to go in!! 8:52 AM May 8th from TwitterBerrySetting up at six flags, very excited, we're pretty much ready - bring on the kids!! 9:45 AM May 8th from TwitterBerry Let the learning games begin. The park is filling up. 10:06 AM May 8th from TwitterBerry Overheard: the Earth is 97% water but only 3% is drinkable. Come check out our water cycle demo. Happy National drinking water week. 10:37 AM May 8th from TwitterBerry
Did you know that sunflowers always turn to face the sun? The UV index is climbing. It may be 5 by noon. Be sunwise and wear sunscreen. 11:01 AM May 8th from TwitterBerryPandy Pollution, EPA's panda mascot, just made an appearance to direct kids to the science demos- kids loved it!!! 11:27 AM May 8th from TwitterBerryLots of amusement parks hold special Math and Science days. Did you miss signing up for today's? Go to yearofscience.org to find more events 11:45 AM May 8th from TwitterBerry
Do you know what % of household trash can be recycled? 86%! A typical computer monitor has how much lead? 4 lbs. Recycling: a habit for life 12:11 PM May 8th from TwitterBerryOverheard at the "get bugged about water quality table" : Reutilice, reduzca y recicle (to keep trash out of the water!) Smart kids! 12:33 PM May 8th from TwitterBerryA teacher and student from Pyle middle school are voting for their favorite sunsafe poster - they have their hats on for shade! 1:22 PM May 8th from TwitterBerryQuick lunch break for some of us - great enthusiasm from the kids - keeping us energized! 1:30 PM May 8th from TwitterBerryGreat Q overheard at Pollution Prevention table: why is pollution worse in the summer? Sunlight speeds conversion of auto exhaust to ozone. 1:51 PM May 8th from TwitterBerrySee our groundwater model? Pollute it with red dye and watch the dye penetrate the system. It's clean in mins. Wish real life was this easy! 2:32 PM May 8th from TwitterBerryQ heard at the bug display: Whatdo large bugs indcate about the water quality of streams? The more you see, the beter the water quality. 2:59 PM May 8th from TwitterBerryAnother visit from Pandy Pollution - kids told him they will use the magnifier glasses to check out bugs in their local streams! 3:30 PM May 8th from TwitterBerryOur sunwise experts were gathering data all day! UV index high: 6.0 at 12:45 today 4:05 PM May 8th from TwitterBerry To learn more about reducing your carbon footprint visit: www.epa.gov/climateforaction 4:12 PM May 8th from TwitterBerrySchool buses are starting to roll out - we're packing up after an amazing day of sun, science and school kids! 4:09 PM May 8th from TwitterBerryFor more info on sunwise and being sunsafe visit: www.epa.gov/sunwise 4:10 PM May 8th from TwitterBerry To get bugged about water quality and learn more visit: www.epa.gov/waterscience/bi... 4:15 PM May 8th from TwitterBerryLast tweet from Math + Science day: check your local parks, museums and nature centers - get your kids excited abt the environment! 4:18 PM May 8th from TwitterBerry

Tweets From the Field

While participating in Math and Science Day, we microblogged to Twitter from a mobile device. The log has been compiled below. Note the time stamps were set incorrectly for PST – we’ve adjusted here to EST.

EPA volunteers staffed these booths:

Sunwise - Voting booth for the best State poster about sun safe behaviors plus demonstration about UV light and protecting yourself from sun exposure
"Getting Bugged about Water Quality" - critters can tell us a lot about the health of a water system see which bugs are indicators of a healthy waterway
Trash Talk and Spin the Wheel - get creative with common trash items and how you can put them to good use and spin the recycling question wheel and challenge your knowledge of "reduce, reuse and recycle"
Lung capacity - compete in the lung capacity challenge and learn how air quality impacts every breath we take.
Ground Water model - demonstration of how pollutants impact water ways and the water cycle. featuring an inflatable Thirstin
Pandy Pollution, EPA's environmental education mascot, joins forces with the EPA team at all special events to greet the young, and young at heart, and teach them about pollution prevention and protecting our earth. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Pandy has taught thousands of children and adults about the benefits of environmental awareness. Pandy has also traveled to our great Capital to spread the good word on "environmental awareness."