Lauren

For my 2022 APES Advocacy Project, I went to Iditarod Elementary with my colleagues Melanie Edwards and Chloe Wolfenden to teach fourth grade students about the Tragedy of the Commons. I thought it would be a great idea to teach the younger generation about resource depletion because they are at the age where it is easier to be inspired to do something about the world, and we figured it would be an easier topic for them to grasp.

Overall, the project was a success. The students were super interested in the topic, and even started asking questions about the different laws and policies to prevent resource depletion. They were very engaged in the lab and were more attentive than the average fourth grade classroom.

This experience taught me that working with young kids is something that I would love as a career pathway. I love inspiring others and seeing people blossom and develop new interests. I also learned that the littlest things can get students interested in some of the biggest ideas.