September 25
Seattle Sites of the Day:

Justice and college science aren't related... or are they?

Trileigh Stroh, a geologist, directs Seattle University's Ecological Studies Program. In this article, Dr. Stroh discusses whether education in the natural or 'hard' sciences should include considerations of justice. This passage mentions service learning and field work in Seattle.

"If most students graduate from college with the idea that science and the scientific community need not deal with questions of justice, their potential contribution as citizens will be diminished. ...

"Many of our Ecological Studies majors have worked in the South Park area of Seattle.

"Currently, most of the area is zoned for heavy industry, and is characterized by a highly non white population and a median household income below Seattle's average.

"The lower Duwamish River area, including South Park, is recognized as one of the most polluted areas not only in Seattle but in the U.S.: along with numerous sites hosting toxic chemicals, the area contains two Superfund sites.

"Seattle University students have worked in South Park in a variety of ways. Several have completed internships with people working to clean up toxics in the neighborhood. Some have collaborated with the Community Coalition for Environmental Justice analyzing land-use and population data for South Park.

"Others have used phytoremediation techniques to clean up a creek feeding the Duwamish. In these projects, students come to understand toxicology, groundwater chemistry, salmon biology, and soil development. They also become passionate about their work...

"One of the most dangerous ideas about college education, in my opinion, is that it is not 'the real world.' The idea that the way we interact in college 'doesn't really count' means that students can leave our universities without experiencing a mutually accountable community."

Peter Bagge's Hate (and other Neat Stuff)

Peter Bagge is a Seattle cartoonist.

Xiphophorus

Ogg Vorbis

Ogg Vorbis is a high quality, high performance, free and open-source Internet streaming audio format, that is intended to replace MP3.

"... South Park. Contaminated sites are heavily concentrated in this area. We have been successful in calling attention to resident complaints about pollution and the non responsiveness of regulatory agencies to their concerns.

"We have initiated a health risk investigation near major sources of pollution in the neighborhood and inter-agency communication on major sources of pollution in the area. ...

"CCEJ has an environmental justice library with videos, books, newspaper articles, reports, and newsletters. Feel free to stop by when we are available to browse, borrow or copy information. ...

"If you would like a speaker or more information about environmental justice issues, please give us a call.

"CCEJ is working in partnership with the American Lung Association's Master Home Environmentalist Program and the Seattle Public Utilities to raise awareness about household hazardous waste, environmental justice, and air pollution.

"We provide 4-week trainings to residents of South Seattle neighborhoods. Trainees then conduct outreach in their communities to 'pass on' the information we've provided.

"If you would like to volunteer, please give us a call at (206) 720-0285.

"CCEJ is recruiting energetic individuals to join our board of directors. Youth, seniors, women, indigenous people, and people of color, are strongly encouraged to apply. We are especially seeking individuals who are active in communities of color on social justice issues and seek individuals with connections to funders."