New program - summer 2006

Citycology
Youth Teach Youth about the Environment

press PLAY to hear Citycology chant

Citycology is a six-week program in which nine New Haven teens are hired and trained to deliver hands-on lessons about water and watersheds to school-aged children.

Youth Educators spend two days each week planning, preparing, and practicing their lessons, which have been adapted from existing curriculum in order to best reach urban youth. The other three days are spent teaching campers at Camp Farnum (Farnum Neighborhood House), Centro San Jose, and the New Haven YMCA about the properties of water, the water cycle, New Haven’s watershed, and water pollution. Youth Educators work in teams of two, and each team works with 4-8 students at each site, reaching 75 students in total.

Assistant Director Tia Baker (SY since '00) guides Youth Educators in a brainstorm during training

Citycology was designed to address the needs of New Haven youth. For teen participants, the program provides an opportunity to develop responsibility and leadership skills within a workplace environment. Youth Educators are also exposed to careers in the environment and education.

Younger Citycology participants have a rare opportunity to be taught by young people from their own communities. By sharing their own wonder and excitement, Youth Educators inspire interest in water and watersheds, helping students build an understanding of water as a vital resource. This learning is occurring at a time when there is a great need for educational enrichment outside of school.

Citycology is funded by

• Department of Environmental Protection’s Long Island Sound Fund
• National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Long Island Sound Futures Fund
• New Haven Public Schools Youth@Work Program, and
• Housing Authority of New Haven

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