In 1999, with funding from EPA’s Great Lakes National Program Office, the University of Wisconsin Extension’s Solid and Hazardous Waste Education Center (SHWEC) developed a mercury in schools project. Key project activities included: creating and maintaining a basinwide clearinghouse for information relating to reducing mercury usage, increasing mercury recycling and improving mercury management in schools, and educating students and teachers about eliminating mercury; and conducting workshops for educators and agency staff based on a new mercury curriculum package.

In 2001 funding was provided to extend the mercury in schools education and outreach program to the rest of the country. Previously developed web site materials have been updated with the latest information on mercury sources, health advisories and reduction programs. The mercury in schools curriculum package has been revised and expanded to provide a national focus on the mercury issue. It includes information and activities on health issues, cultural uses, mercury in schools, mercury at home, mercury in the community, environmental impacts and the history of mercury use. Four new activities have been added—a Mercury I.Q.Test, Mercury in the Food Chain, Mercury in the Atmosphere and Mercury through the Ages. In addition, correlations to national education standards for science, social studies and health are provided.

Even though many teachers have attended our workshops over the last few years, addition outreach techniques were needed. This prompted the idea of creating an online course, including and expanding upon the materials presented in the educator workshops, and making them available to teachers via the Internet.

Two online classes on Mercury Education are now available from UW-Stevens Point. Both graduate level classes are one credit. If you are not familiar with mercury then Mercury in Schools is recommended. If you are familiar and would like to address mercury and other chemical issues in the community then Mercury Reduction for Educators is recommended. Please share this information with educators in your region.

The estimated cost of the graduate credit is $250. For further information on the spring classes, contact Al Stenstrup at: allen.stenstrup@dnr.state.wi.us or call (608) 264-6282.

Selected Topics in Natural Resources: Mercury in Schools
NRES 405/605 1 Credit
The goal of this online course is to provide middle and high school educators and technical assistance providers with a basic understanding of the environmental and health impacts of mercury to enable them to more effectively integrate mercury reduction and awareness activities into the existing curriculum. Learners will also gain an understanding of key educational principles, why mercury in schools is important, history and current usages of mercury, and how to deal with mercury in schools.

For more information, please visit http://www.uwsp.edu/extension/credit/schedule/credit.asp?dept=NRES&num=405%2F605&sec=881&semester=Spring&year=2003.

Selected Topics in Natural Resources: Mercury Reduction for Educators
NRES 605 1 Credit
The goal of this online course is to provide educators and technical assistance providers with an advanced understanding of issues affecting mercury reduction throughout society. Educators will learn how to apply lessons learned in the Mercury in Schools course to other key sectors of the economy. Learners will also gain an understanding of governmental approaches to reducing mercury usage, storage issues, other toxic waste reduction efforts within schools, and ways to apply life cycle analysis to product use and disposal.