Classroom Spotlight: ITC Writing & the Environment

A group of seniors in the SUNY-ESF Writing and the Environment course are in the midst of their Environmental Racism unit. From the Midland Sewer Treatment Facility, I-81, Onondaga Lake, and more, students have each selected an issue impacting Syracuse and are researching to begin their formal research paper on the issue’s environmental impact.
 
The students are ITC seniors, gathered in a classroom in their high school. Upon completing the course, students earn three college credits; and, thanks to support from Say Yes to Education, the class is provided free of charge to students!
 
Cody Stazzone is interested in pursuing zoology or geology. He plans to attend OCC next year and then hopes to transfer to ESF or Cornell to complete his studies.
 
“This class has really helped prepare me,” Cody shared. “It has helped me get better at writing my thoughts and has allowed me to learn about environmental issues in our area. There are so many environmental problems – pollution, deforestation, invasive species. The class has opened my eyes to how one change to the environment impacts the entire ecosystem. We are responsible for taking care of the environment. If we make small changes now, we can ultimately make big changes and allow the planet to heal.”
 
Amelia Grimshaw is taking a variety of college courses offered through her high school as a way to ensure that she is prepared for the rigors of the college workload.
 
“This class has been a great way for me to freshen up my writing skills before college and have deep conversations with my peers about important topics in our world,” Amelia said. “I’m definitely getting college workload experience! Through this class, and SUPA Public Policy and SUPA Biology, I’ve learned how to break down complex information, I’ve learned life skills, and I’ve felt like I’m really achieving something.”
 
We’re proud of the #SCSDLearning happening within our classrooms each and every day!