University Advancement

Public Relations and Strategic Communications

NEWS RELEASE

Local Junior High Schoolers to Join CSUN in Observing Earth Day

(NORTHRIDGE, Calif., March 28, 2007) — More than 200 junior high school students and community volunteers are expected at Cal State Northridge on Saturday, April 21, as the university’s Chemistry, Geology, Biology, and Physics Clubs join its Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers in hosting their first annual Earth Day event to promote the theme "Recycling—Chemistry Can."

Scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the event will convene in front of CSUN’s Oviatt Library near the center of the campus at 18111 Nordhoff St. in Northridge.

"The attending junior high school students…have a high interest in science and mathematics at this age," said event organizer Dorothy Nguyen-Graff, professor of chemistry and biochemistry. "However, they are usually neglected in science outreach programs. We want to tap into the students’ enthusiasm and help build on and sustain it through high school.

"Negative student attitudes about science and mathematics in high school and college correlate with the decreasing number of science majors in the universities," Nguyen-Graff added. "With a positive attitude about science and mathematics, students will not be afraid of the knowledge and will major in mathematics or one of the science fields."

Workshops will start at 10:30 a.m., following an opening speaker, and will include disciplines such as chemistry, geology, physics, math, biology and engineering.

Booths will feature hands-on activities in recycling, the environment and other math and science subjects, and tours of the campus and its science facilities will be offered. Activities related to "green" chemistry, global warming, plastics, hybrid cars, and materials chemistry are planned.

For more information, or to make donations or volunteer, call Nguyen-Graff at (818) 677-2473 or e-mail dng@csun.edu.