Published: February 6, 2018

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For the past three years, Living on Earth has worked with inner-city and rural schools across the country teaching environmental radio journalism to high school students. Each year, students produce their own radio shows about the environmental issues that surround them. This week the LOE website will feature the work of Camden, New Jersey high school students who cover issues that affect them, their families, and their community such as high asthma rates, to a neighborhood butterfly garden.

Listen to the entire show

To find out more about how students with help from teachers and Living on Earth mentors learn radio writing and production from the ground up, click here.

The Children’s Garden

Four year’s ago, the Children’s Garden opened in Camden. Since then, thousands of people from the community have visited the park, where children can learn about gardening, science and math. Natalie Rodriguez reports that the butterfly garden is one of the most popular sites.

Air Pollution and Asthma

More African Americans and certain Hispanic populations have asthma than other Americans and the disease is more severe in urban settings. A Camden High School junior thinks a nearby factory is causing breathing problems among members of her family.

Cooper River

Thirty years ago, Camden County’s Cooper River was so polluted by sewage that fish and other wildlife had all but disappeared. Camden High School’s Lequisha Thomson reports that a new sewage plant is helping to change that.

Water Contamination

One of the biggest health issues in Camden public schools is lead contamination of the drinking water. Water in the city of Camden has the highest levels of lead in the state and families and schools are spending precious resources buying water, instead of things like books and food. Student Ben Steward has this commentary.

Also: A survey of students’ knowledge of water issues, including – how much water is used in a typical five-minute shower? Click here to find out. 

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