Grantee Research Project Results
Leveraging a Public School District and Schoolyard Spaces to Confront Climate Health Inequities in a Low-Income, Urban Community of Color
EPA Grant Number: R840486Title: Leveraging a Public School District and Schoolyard Spaces to Confront Climate Health Inequities in a Low-Income, Urban Community of Color
Investigators: Beyer, Kirsten
Institution: Medical College of Wisconsin , Milwaukee Public Schools
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: September 1, 2022 through May 2, 2025
Project Amount: $1,349,999
RFA: Cumulative Health Impacts at the Intersection of Climate Change, Environmental Justice, and Vulnerable Populations/Lifestages: Community-Based Research for Solutions (2021) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Endocrine Disruptors , Environmental Justice , Human Health , Watersheds
Objective:
The goal of our study is to leverage the Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) district personnel and facilities to generate scientific and community knowledge to build community resilience and reduce climate health inequities in Milwaukee and beyond. To achieve this goal, we propose two key objectives: (1) Engage MPS students, staff and families in a climate change and health curriculum and dialogue focused on the health impacts of global climate change, including in Milwaukee, and how MPS students, staff and families can support implementation of the Milwaukee Climate and Equity Plan in order to safeguard community health, and (2) Quantify the impact of MPS schoolyard greening as an effective community-based solution to mitigate climate impacts on heat exposure, air pollution, educational engagement and achievement, and mental/emotional health and well-being.
Approach:
- MPS will work with local nonprofit organizations and the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) faculty to develop a climate change and health equity curriculum for teachers and a series of listening sessions/dialogues for families. The curriculum will be implemented at schools across the district and will be evaluated by the MCW scientific team to quantify impacts on climate change and health equity knowledge and attitudes.
- MCW will measure key climate health related metrics prior to (spring 2023, 2024) and following (spring 2024, 2025) schoolyard greening at eight MPS schools. Heat (surface and ambient temperature, humidity), air pollution (PM 1, 2.5 and 10); mental health and well-being (surveys) and educational engagement and attainment (attendance, GPA, test scores) will be measured. We will also measure student demographics and examine the change in measures pre- and post-greening. This work aligns with the RFA focus on multiple vulnerabilities and impacts as well as community-based solutions.
Expected Results:
- An evidence-based curriculum to support teachers in teaching climate health equity in K-12 schools.
- Scientific evidence of the impact of schoolyard greening on climate health among low-income, urban children of color.
- Reports/manuscripts/presentations to share findings.
- A more informed citizenry.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 1 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC); pediatric; particulate matter; social-emotional learning; impervious surface; urban heat island; depression; anxiety; heat index; air quality index; urban nature; urban forestry; Environmental JusticeProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.