WTAMU science organizations host Earth Day

Ryan Schaap • April 26, 2011

Earth Hour, courtesy of Finding Josephine on Flickr. Used with Creative Commons liscense.

On April 20th, WTAMU hosted an Earth Day event. The event, located at the Pedestrian Mall, had several booths where students learned about ways they can help the environment.

The most well-known method is recycling, but Patricia Rodriguez, a graduate student, said that reusing materials such as water bottles and grocery bags is better.

“Reducing how much plastic you use is better than recycling,” she said. Rodriguez was in charge of the Plastic and Environment booth. She said that ten percent of all plastic ends up in the ocean.

The Alternative Energy Institute was also present at the fair to teach people about the importance of saving energy.

Kenneth Starcher, associate director of the Alternate Energy Institute, is conducting research to find better alternative energy sources such as wind, solar energy, and biomass.

“We are looking for renewable resources by data sites all over the state where data is collected and can be viewed on the Internet,” he said.

Starcher listed the use of personal windmills which use about one-fifth to one-third of regular energy to power homes and businesses, as a prime example of renewable energy.

Another organization present at the fair was Circle K International. They have a program called the “Six Cents Initiative” where money donated goes into making oral rehydration salt packets. These packets mixed with eight ounces of water will rehydrate and restore electrolytes. Each packet only requires six cents to help children rehydrate in rural areas of the world.
“Our goal is to rehydrate the dehydrated,” Lauren Perkins, junior Commutations Disorders, said. At the fair, she informed students about general water facts, such as the importance of water and ways to save water.

The Panhandle Ground Water District also offered several ways to get involved. They have a children’s program called “Water Warriors.” This program teaches children how to conserve water. The district goes to 50 schools where fifth grade students take “The Water Warrior Pledge,” which states:

“I promise to always turn the faucet off when brushing my teeth, to take shorter showers, to always be conscious of water use. I will also teach my family and friends about the importance of saving water.”

Other booths at the fair featured useful information such as the reuses of coffee, endangered species and a water pong trivia risk game.