Fifth Annual Florida Green, Energy & Climate Conference/Expo Joined with The Palm Beach County School District to Present an Educational Program to Students
Students from the Palm Beach County School District were invited to participate in an environmental education program titled “Food For Thought” at the Florida Green, Energy & Climate Conference/Expo May 22, 2013 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. The program included experts in different areas of nutrition and sustainability who presented information to the students in a hands-on and interactive manner. This was very well received by all.
Schools that attended the program included: Jupiter High School, Jupiter Middle School, Roosevelt Middle School, Forest Hill High School, Palm Springs Middle School. Once the buses arrived at the convention center, students were directed to the Expo where they had a chance to visit the exhibitors and speak with them about their products and services. After this tour, they were brought to a main gathering room where the school program would be presented.
Marcia Batista of Nextera Energy, Lead Dietician of Nextera Health & Well Being, greeted the students. As they sat in small groups at round tables, educators began presenting educational topics in a fun and interactive manner. Placed on tables were all sorts of items such as unusual fruits, farm grown corn, food packages to read nutrition labels, videos presented on laptops and manure in plastic bags among other things. Presenters included: Jon Mayer, 4-H Agent; Michael O’Dell, Director of City of Wellington Equestrian Master Plan; Erica Whittfield, Project Coordinator for the RWJF Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities Grant; Rick Roth, Owner of Roth Farms; Alison Vela and Austin Daniels, Students at Jupiter High School’s Environmental Research & Field Studies Academy; Fred Barch, Principal of Pine Jog Elementary School with assistance from teachers Laurie Mecca and Linda Petuch. During the program, executive chef of the Palm Beach County Convention Center, Mark Aleks, presented a live demonstration. He created an easy, healthy lunch that students could make themselves at home.
The program also included an essay contest. Students were asked to write their thoughts on environmental issues and explain how young people can make a positive change in reducing the negative impact society makes towards the environment. The contest was run and judged by Missy Strauss, host of Our Greener World on Seaview Radio. Strauss encouraged the students to focus on water, energy, greenhouse gases and food supply. Winners would be allowed the opportunity to read their essays on her radio show. In addition, they would receive acknowledgment of their achievement and trophies in the ballroom at the Florida Green, Energy & Climate Conference within the “100 Cities Summit.”
This year’s winners of the essay contest included: Mark Whalen, Jupiter High School; Kat Mager, Jupiter High School; Willmar Escalante, Palm Springs Middle School; Prachi Bhavsar, Jupiter Middle School; Brett DeMarco , Forest Hill High School. Strauss noted that she was very surprised with of the quality essays this year. She was impressed with the higher level of thought, understanding and writing that she saw in the contestants’ work. All winners appeared happy to receive their trophies in a large forum with leaders in sustainability in attendance and applauding their accomplishments.
For more information about the Food For Thought Environmental Education Program, contact Kathy Roberts at 561.434.8923. For more information about the Florida Green, Energy & Climate Conference, visit www.floridagreenconference.com or contact Monica Kallas at 561.762.1713.
Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce
561.790.6200 * GreenConference@CPBChamber.com
Or Call Monica Kallas Direct – 561.762.1713 Visit www.floridagreenconference.com