Inquiry, Scientists and the Environment is one of many innovative programs offered 
to primary schools by The Ohio State University at Lima. The program gives  5th 
and 6th graders the opportunity to explore becoming scientists and learn about the 
various ways our decisions effect the ecosystem. Donning lab coats, the kids work 
in teams and are asked to solve real life problems concerning real environmental 
issues such as where to build a new school.

We study threatened and endangered plants and animals. They become scientists. 
What happens once they read some information, do some artwork, do some math, and 
so on, do a little social studies is there are five locations that are 
hypothetical that the students actually choose where to build the school.

You might pollute the air. Might pollute the air, excellent. What else?

I'm an environmental biologist.

Its unbelievable how thrilled they are to put their lab coat on and I truly think 
that it makes them think more like scientists and they want to get more involved 
in their readings. So I think that's, you know, that's what teaching's all about.

We can talk about ecosystems and read about them, but by doing this it makes them, 
gives them a fun way to learn. I don't know how many times a kid has said to me, 
"wow, this is what we were reading about last week and now it just really makes 
sense to me". And so its just a way to bring everything to life.

This one came out of a need to address environmental education in the community, 
because its an up and coming area in our science standards. And we like to bring 
our programs out to the community. And sometimes, in some instances we actually 
bring students with us, our students, who help on the programs on a day to day 
basis. And we also get our students out through service learning. And, again, that 
is mostly now in elementary schools where our students really begin to meet a 
community need by tutoring, mentoring, working with kids.