COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND EDUCATION PROGRAM

DESCRIPTION

The Center's Community Outreach and Education Program (COEP) addresses environmental health issues and problems of greatest concern to Northern California, with a special focus on the health effects of agrochemicals and related xenobiotics. Through a wide variety of programs, the Center reaches out to Central Valley farmworker communities, Northern California native Americans, urban and rural elementary high school students and teachers, local clinics and physicians, and the general public. For a complete list of programs, see http://www.envtox.ucdavis.edu/cehs/outreach.htm.

COEP COORDINATOR

Rebecca Morrison
Outreach Coordinator and Program Manager
Department of Environmental Toxicology
University of California
One Shields Avenue
Davis, CA 95616
Phone: 530-752-2732
Fax: 530-752-3394
E-mail: rlmorrison@ucdavis.edu

OUTREACH WEB PAGE ADDRESS:

http://www.envtox.ucdavis.edu/cehs/outreach.htm

ORGANIZATIONS WITH WHOM THE CENTER IS CURRENTLY COLLABORATING

- UC Statewide Integrated Pest Management Pesticide Education Program
- NIOSH Agricultural Health and Safety Center at UC Davis
- UC Davis Department of Animal Science
- UC Davis Department of Environmental Toxicology
- UC Davis Employee Health Services
- California EPA Department of Pesticide Regulations Worker Health and Safety Branch
- California Department of Health Services
- Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner's Office
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- EPA Region 9
- U.S. Dept. of Agriculture
- Department of Labor
- EPA Office of Environmental Health Hazards Assessment
- California Department of Health and Human Services
- California County Agricultural Commissioner's Offices
- Rural Health Clinics of California
- University Extension (throughout the western states)
- Rural Health Advocacy Institute
- UC Berkeley University Health Services
- UC Berkeley Center for Occupational and Environmental Health
- UC Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory
- California Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board
- UC Davis Superfund Program
- Pacific EcoRisk Company
- UC Davis Bioregions Program
- Roseville Unified School District
- Sierra Foothill Laboratory
- UC Systemwide Ecotoxicology Program
- Wildlife History Foundation
- K-12 Science Alliance
- UC Davis Department of Human and Community Development (College of Agriculture)
- UC Davis University Extension
- Local High Schools including: Dixon, Davis, Woodland, Yolo (continuation school), Mira Loma (International baccalaureate), Laguna Creek, Adelante (continuation), Woodcreek, Placer
- Dry Creek Junior High School
- UC Davis Internship and Career Center
- UC Davis Junior Academic Science Research Achievement Program
- UC Davis Department of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology (School of Medicine)
- American Cancer Society
- Community Medical Centers, Inc., Stockton (formerly Agricultural Workers' Health Clinics)
- State of California Office of Migrant Services
- San Joaquin, Yolo, Solano and Colusa Housing Departments
- UC Division of Agricultural and Natural Resources Communications Office
- UC Cooperative Extension 4-H for San Joaquin County
- Dixon Family Practice
- Davis Community Clinic
- Solano County Health Department
- Saint Joseph's Hospital (Stockton)
- Del Norte Clinics (Colusa County)
- Colusa County Dept. of Health and Human Services, Public Health Division
- California State Dept. of Health Services Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program
- Solano/Yolo Community Partnership Agency;
- UC Davis Dept. of Biological and Agricultural Engineering (Bill Steinke, Prof.)
- Alliance Health Care Foundation
- Yolo County Public Health Office
- Yolo County Agriculture Commissioners Office
- UC Davis Public Service Research Program (Office of Research)
- UC Davis Inquiry Zone
- UC Davis Center for Biosystematics
- UC Statewide Toxic Substances Research and Teaching Program
- California Department of Fish and Game
- UC Davis Department of Civil Engineering (College of Engineering)
- D-Q American Indian University in Yolo County
- National Health Literacy Council

OUTREACH PROGRESS REPORTS

AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY OUTREACH AND TRAINING PROGRAM

Project Coordinators - Stephen Clark and Christopher Pincetich, UC Davis Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Cell Biology, capincetich@ucdavis.edu

The UC Davis Aquatic Toxicology Outreach and Training Program (ATOTP) was initiated in 1997 through funding from the UC Davis Center for Environmental Health Sciences. Continued funding was provided by the Center for the 1998-99 academic year. This report summarizes efforts undertaken during the 1998-99 academic year in the format requested by the Center.

What were the initial goals and background of the program?
The Aquatic Toxicology Outreach and Training Program was started with the goal of teaching a short lesson on how everyday activities can affect water quality in one's local watershed. This concept is reinforced through a 48-hour toxicity test using Ceriodaphnia dubia, a freshwater invertebrate species recommended by the US EPA for toxicity assessments. Several goals were set for the 1998-1999 academic year, including: (1) continued outreach to schools involved in the program during the 1997-1998 academic year with the objective of educating more teachers and students in environmental health sciences, (2) expansion of the outreach efforts to reach additional schools in Yolo and Sacramento County, (3) piloting the program in a junior high setting, (4) development of a "recipe-like format" for test protocols, (5) holding a student symposium during the spring, and (6) development an internship program at UC Davis which will provide teaching opportunities to undergraduate and graduate students interested in teaching and/or environmental sciences

Methods
1. What tasks/steps were performed to complete the goals? Several steps were undertaken to achieve the 1998-1999 program goals. Contacts were made with teachers from the schools that participated during the 1997-1998 academic year. When teachers had moved to different courses, new teachers were recruited into the program. Once scheduling was arranged, animal cultures were set up in each participating classroom, students were taught the test protocols, and testing was initiated. To reach additional schools in the Sacramento and Yolo County areas, teachers participation was solicited at Yolo High, Woodland High, and Mira Loma High. A collaborative K-12 articulation effort was undertaken between Adelante High and the UC Davis ATOTP to pilot the program in Dry Creek Junior High School. Students from Adelante High were trained in the test methods and assisted in teaching the students at Dry Creek Junior High. The protocol used in the program was condensed into a recipe-type format (e.g., step-by-step instruction) to facilitate more rapid understanding by the participating students. A student symposium was designed where students from each school involved in the program were required to present their findings to their peers and teachers. The symposium was held in April 24 at Laguna Creek High with approximately 80 participants. Lastly, the internship program was developed through the UC Davis Internship and Career Center. Interns were required to participate in the Environmental Health Sciences Rotating Exhibition course (funded through CEHS) held on Friday afternoons to increase their understanding of modern teaching methods and approaches (e.g., inquiry-based learning). Laboratory training was provided to each intern so they were proficient in the test protocols and teaching materials. Interns visited each school in teams and organized the class for toxicity testing. At the end of the quarter, students developed interactive displays on water quality and toxicity issues and presented them to the Davis community at the Teen Center.

Specifically, how was the research focus of the NIEHS Center at UC Davis incorporated into the program?
Agrochemicals are commonly found in the waterways of the Sacramento River Watershed due to prolific agricultural applications in the region, as well as from applications in urban settings by homeowners. Staff from the U.C. Davis Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory and the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board have implicated several agrochemicals in toxicity observed with freshwater organisms exposed to ambient water samples. These issues were incorporated in introductory seminars designed to provide the students and teachers from each school with information necessary to understand the reasoning behind utilizing bioassay to address health effects of agrochemicals on aquatic organisms.
In the discussion of the test results, the inputs of xenobiotics and their contributions to toxicity are discussed. Agrochemical run-off, both from urban and rural environments, has been demonstrated to be a contributing factor to toxicity in the student's water samples, and its impacts were discussed. Therefore, students often had first hand experience in the effects of agrochemicals (e.g., diazinon) on aquatic organisms.

What other sources of funding did the program receive? List agencies and dollar amounts.
The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board and the UC Davis Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory provided testing supplies worth approximately $1000 for use in the participating schools. One continuing school experienced equipment problems and no funds were available to replace the faulty equipment. The UC Davis Superfund Program contributed approximately $250 to support the school in their acquisition of replacement equipment. Pacific EcoRisk, an environmental consulting and testing firm in Martinez, provided approximately $400 toward food and drinks for the poster social at the Student Symposium. The UC Davis Bioregions Program provided $1000 to permit the inclusion of Woodland High School in the ATOTP. The Roseville Unified School District provided $1000 to Dry Creek Junior High School for the purchase of supplies and materials associated with the program. Sierra Foothill Laboratory, an aquatic toxicology consulting firm in Jackson, donated over $500 of Ceriodaphnia food and organisms to the program. The UC System-wide Ecotoxicology Program permitted a significant number of hours from Stephen Clark's Research Assistant position to be allocated toward management and training activities involved in the ATOTP. The Wildlife History Foundation is overseeing a grant to SPLASH, a watershed team including the UC Davis ATOTP, from Sacramento County to enhance environmental awareness in grades 5-12. The ATOTP has received approximately $13,000 to be used for expansion of the program into the Sacramento County area during the 1999 calendar year. Therefore, the ATOTP has received nearly $17,000 in funding and or contributions since September 1998.

Results
1. Who was the target audience?
The target audience for the ATOTP was local junior and senior high schools science students and teachers. Schools targeted for the program were within a 60-mile radius of the U.C. Davis campus and were either actively involved with environmental education or were interested in introducing the topic in their science classes. Of 14 teachers participating in the program this year, nine had not participated in the past. Furthermore, several of the targeted schools represented communities not previously reached by the (ATOTP), including under-represented students in environmental science (e.g., minorities), some of the regions brightest science students (e.g., international baccalaureate), and junior high school students.

The ATOTP also targeted UC Davis staff, and undergraduate students, and graduate students interested in improving their background in environmental sciences and increasing their public speaking skills through the teaching opportunities that the ATOTP provides.

An additional audience targeted by the ATOTP was new teachers and students for recruitment into the program in coming years. Stephen Clark and Chris Pincetich presented the methods utilized in the participating schools at the K-12 Science Alliance Summer Institute on Watershed Contamination at Sacramento State University on July 19-23, 1999. Fifteen teachers participated in the week long training and several expressed an interest in joining the program in the coming academic year. Chris Pincetich also presented a seminar on July 20, 1999 to students participating in the UC Davis JASRAP program. Stephen Clark has developed a University Extension course to be offered August 28, formatted as a workshop to provide regional junior and senior high school teachers to receive continuation education units (CEU) for training in the aquatic toxicology methods utilized in the participating classrooms.

How many people were reached?
Ten schools [Dixon High, Davis High, Woodland High, Yolo High (continuation
school), Mira Loma High (International baccalaureate), Laguna Creek High,
Adelante High (continuation), Woodcreek High, Dry Creek School (Junior High),
and Placer High] participated in the ATOTP this academic year. The result was 480
students and 14 teachers, nine of which were new and five were continuing with
the program, were trained in the methods and topics associated with environmental
health sciences.

Of 26 interns involved in the ATOTP Internship through the Internship and Career Center, 24 were undergraduates, one was a graduate student, and one was a post graduate researcher. Six students participated during the entire academic year and six more participated for two quarters; only one student opted to not continue with the program once one quarter of experience had been achieved.

Efforts to attract additional teachers for inclusion in the program resulted in 22 teachers trained in the protocol at the K-12 Science Alliance Summer Institute on Watershed Contamination Workshop. We expect to have 20 additional teachers participate in the University Extension course on August 28. Approximately 25 high school students in the JASRAP program were given a seminar and participated in a hands-on activity related to watershed contamination.
Over 300 Davis residents of all ages viewed and interacted with exhibits designed
by interns from the ATOTP and EHS Rotating Exhibit Program during the winter
and spring 1999 quarters.

What were the products, outcome/impact of the program (i.e., workshops provided, questionnaire developed, and publications?
A three-day scaled-down version of the EPA acute toxicity test with C. dubia was refined for use in high schools. This test was taught and performed approximately 30 times during this funding cycle. Results are currently being compiled into a report of high school water quality monitoring and will include data analysis and an assessment of QA/QC. Interns developed exhibits that will be displayed in the Environmental Toxicology Department the fall 1999 quarter. The workshops provided are detailed in sections 3-a and 3-b. A poster of the results from the program was presented at the UC Toxic Substances Research and Teaching Program 12th Annual Research Symposium on April 10, 1999. A platform session on the same topic has been accepted for presentation at the 20th Annual meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. We hope to have a publication outlining the program activities in the next year or so.

Specifically, which Center investigators were directly involved in the project?
Dr. David E. Hinton (CEHS Internal Advisory Committee member), through Stephen Clark and Chris Pincetich, was involved in the program.

How did this Center funding facilitate new collaborations with non-Center investigators? List names of other faculty/staff/departments/agencies involved in the project.
With the exception of working with Dr. Hinton through the Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory and Dr. Hammock through the Superfund Program, the ATOTP has had no other research collaborations with other Center investigators. However, Stephen Clark participated in the development of a NSF proposal for UC outreach on environmental toxicology with Dr. Marion Miller. The ATOTP has also served as a resource to others conducting scientific outreach activities by elaborating on the successes and shortcomings of the program activities. Included in this effort is Dr. Ernie Chang's outreach on a MTBE/water quality-teaching module and the University of Washington outreach program in Ecogenetics. The Student Symposium attracted representatives from SPLASH and reinforced collaboration and solidified future funding.

Were funds successfully solicited from other agencies as a result of the initial Center funding?
Additional funding was solicited from several organizations. Please see Section 2-b for a complete description.

Were there any slides, photos, handouts or other materials that were produced? Was there any publicity, articles, or announcements about your program?
Several items from the ATOTP may be of interest for display at the National meeting. Some, such as handouts, are easily transported. Others, such as the intern exhibits, are not easily transported long distances due to their size. Adelante High School put together a wonderful booklet on their activities. A copy is being generated for the Center. Several press releases resulted in publicity about the ATOTP. An article about the outreach and K-12 Articulation at Dry Creek High School was in the April 21 issue of the Roseville Press-Tribune. The Woodland Press Tribune had a full-page article, generated by high school students, on Davis High School's efforts monitoring Cache and Putah Creek. Center researchers were informed of the ATOTP activities through an article in the Center for Environmental Health Sciences Newsletter (Vol. 3:3). The UCD campus community were informed of the program through two articles in the California Aggie about the Community Exhibits and the Environmental Health Sciences Rotating Exhibition and ATOTP internship during the 1998-1999 academic year.

What are the future goals of the program? Several goals have been proposed for the future of the ATOTP. Improvement of the quality of test results produced by the participating schools is high on the list of goals on a scientific front. Continued expansion of the program to additional junior and senior high schools is expected to be a primary focus, with special attention directed toward working with ESL (English as a Second Language) students who are typically underrepresented in the field of environmental sciences. The program will focus on generating volunteer monitoring data on a more consistent temporal period with special attention directed toward monitoring during major storm events when contaminant effects are often observed. The culmination of these goals is to establish our program as a community based water quality monitoring program providing consistent and quality data on the toxicity in the Sacramento River Watershed.

INJURY PREVENTION EDUCATION PROGRAM

Project Coordinator - Martha Stiles, UC Davis Department of Human and Community Development, mcstiles@ucdavis.edu

We are conducting a face-to-face interviews with farm worker families, especially parents of young children. Interviews will be conducted at local migrant camps. We have recently collaborated with Faith Boucher of the UC Davis Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine who assisted in reviewing the field instrument and linked us with promotores at the Madison camp to field test the Spanish questionnaire.

What were the initial goals and background of the program?
The original goals of the program were to:
1. identify the information gaps related to pesticide, especially agrochemicals, and safety materials in rural counties
2. identify issues related to culture, work, and health/safety literacy and how it impacts farm worker family safety
3. identify how parents of young migrant children select potentially dangerous chemicals (i.e., home pesticides, bleach, etc.), how labels are used for selection and for mitigating harm to young children

METHODS:
What tasks/steps were performed to complete the goals?
1. a survey questionnaire was designed for rural counties and county Public Health and Ag Commissioners' Offices, Coop Extension Offices were call by phone. A telephone interview was conducted. (Results are available in a separate report.)
2. An extensive literature review include electronic documents were obtained, and reviewed to enlighten the question of how health literacy (i.e., level of knowledge about health and safety) impacts farm worker family health. (The extensive bibliography is available.)
3. Two questionnaires were developed (1 english and 1 spanish) to examine how farm worker families select chemicals and other toxics for use in the home, how labels are used to safely use products and to understand measures to take if someone is exposed. Several case study interviews are being conducted this month at labor camps.

Specifically, how was the research focus of the NIEHS Center at UC Davis incorporated into the program? The research focus is health effects of agrochemicals and related xenobiotics in the Northern California region.
The projects presented show areas where the Center could reduce adverse health effects of agrochemicals and related xenobiotics in California especially among farm workers. The needs assessment showed a clear gap where bilingual materials are concerned. Most agencies agreed that it should be a priority and there is a need to disseminate safety information to farm workers regarding agrochemicals and related xenobiotics. Public
health information is a first step in reducing the risk of exposed populations.
The bibliography also shows that not much work has been done in identifying
the levels of health/safety literacy among farm worker populations. Increasing literacy especially for specific purposes, i.e. identifying health/safety risks, learning mitigating behaviors, and teaching young workers will lead to a safer work force for California's ag industry.
Thirdly, by understanding how farm worker families make personal choices
about hazardous materials, how labels are read (or not) and understood (or not), and what role children may play in translating safety information are first steps toward devising culturally appropriate safety program. This also would help reduce the risk of agrochemical exposure.

Results
Who was the target audience?
County health and safety professionals
Migrant farm workers at camps

What were the products, outcome/impact of the program--i.e., workshops given, questionnaire developed, publications?
1. 3 questionnaires were developed
2. A needs assessment report of interviews conducted with county health departments,
etc. re pesticide safety materials.
3. A summary report and annotated bibliography on health and safety literacy as it relates to workers
4. Pilot interviews/qualitative data (in progress)

How did this Center funding facilitate new collaborations with non-Center investigators? List names of other faculty/staff/departments/agencies involved in the project.
The county health departments have been great collaborators especially in Yolo County. We also worked with PI Faith Boucher at the Madison Camp. The Promotores have agreed that this project is important and wish to participate further in interviews. I have also connected with the National Health Literacy Council re resources that may assist our special population.

What are the future goals for the program?
The primary focus will be on completing the pretest of the questionnaire at local migrant family camps. The premise is that most farm workers come to work with 6 years of education or less and over 90% are monolingual, Spanish only. These circumstances alone are cause for concern since most toxic substances, including agrochemicals, provide information only in English. Often a child is asked to translate and depending on the age of the child, proper translation may not occur. Understanding the sequence of how risky
materials are obtained, how and if they are identified as dangerous, and how and if the safety information on the substance is used would lend itself to reducing risk.
The research questions include: how do families (with children) make decisions about hazardous products; are labels used/read and understood; who assists in reading and understanding; are proper safety procedures known/understood in case of exposure; where is this safety information obtained.
Identifying farmworker parents' ability to understand safety information provided on labels and what to do in case of exposure is critical to the health/safety of children and young workers.
Project Goals: (1) to finalize the field instrument questionnaire with target worker population, (2) conduct interviews at local migrant camps, (3) produce a report with recommendation re developing materials for use buy the target population to reduce the risk of exposure.

ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ON HUMAN HEALTH - COMMUNITY SCIENCE EXHIBITIONS

Project Coordinators: Joyce Gutstein, Associate Director, UC Davis Public Service Research Program, jjgutstein@ucdavis.edu; Martin Smith, Director, Youth Development, UC Davis Veterinary Medicine Extension; Mike Denison, Professor, UC Davis Environmental Toxicology and faculty investigator for the NIEHS Center for Environmental Health Sciences

Introduction

The Science Education and Outreach Program was initiated in Winter 1998 with the first of two grants from the Center for Environmental Health Sciences. Requested by Joyce Gutstein, Lynn Kimsey and Jerry Last (Center investigator), this funding was catalytic in establishing a community outreach program based on the work of UCD students. The concept was to create a program which would bridge UC Davis research knowledge and community understanding, where student interns (primarily undergraduates) would be the link. The initial goal of the Science Education and Outreach Program was to connect university research on environmental effects on human health to community understanding of these issues through interactive exhibits and presentations developed and implemented by university students. From the start, the Science Education and Outreach Program had two entirely complementary objectives: a) community outreach about UCD research and knowledge, and b) student education on how to do outreach. The theme for this first iteration was environmental effects on human health, and UCD students created and presented interactive exhibits on a variety of related topics to two junior high school audiences in Yolo County. This was extremely well received by the schools, and the UC Davis interns were elated by their experiences. Continued funding was subsequently provided by the Center for 1998 - 1999 (this report).

Methods

Steps taken for the second year of the outreach program were slightly different, resulting in more work for students, but also more experience and a different audience. The mechanism was a group internship for UCD undergraduates, coordinated with the Internship and Career Center, in which students received two - three units of 192 credit in environmental toxicology and/or transcript notation. This was held during fall quarter 1998 and winter quarter 1999. Martin Smith, Director of Youth Development, Veterinary Medicine Extension, with extensive experience in informal science education and college teaching in environmental sciences, facilitated the fall internship. A 5th year student in nutrition, Deborah Studebaker-Hallman, after completing the internship with Martin in the Fall, became the facilitator for the winter section. Altogether 14 students participated; most were upper division majoring in environmental toxicology or the biological sciences.

Students and their course facilitator met twice a week for guest lectures, project design and development, implementation and evaluation. On Fridays, students attended a series of two hour presentations on science education methods, given by campus and community experts in science education and interactive exhibit development. During their second weekly meetings, students formed teams, chose environmental health topics which they were required to research, and subsequently developed an interactive activity and exhibit presentation that would engage their audiences in a thoughtful consideration of the topic. They presented related science activities in elementary schools and after school centers. The purpose of these visits was to give practice to the undergraduates while providing school age youth with positive learning experiences with university students. The UCD students worked in teams of 2-4 individuals to design and develop their projects. They presented them in classrooms, after school centers, and at community science events. In addition to developing and presenting a team project, students were required to individually write a paper covering the science topic, project development and an evaluation of the entire process, as well as submit a group photo journal.

A new development in this phase of CEHS funding for the Science Education and Outreach Program was to coordinate with the second year of the Aquatic Toxicology for Regional High School Program run by Stephen Clark from the Aquatic Toxicology Lab (also partially funded by CEHS). 14 interns from that program attended the Friday science education sessions, created group interactive displays on water quality and toxicity, and took part in the community science events. The purpose was to expose those students to communication skills, teaching methods, and inquiry based learning. New aquatic toxicology interns participated in the weekly Friday sessions during the spring quarter.

The inspiration and impetus for student projects came from Center and other UCD faculty and graduate students. Consultation with Professor Denison and other researchers gave students a research base from which to begin their project investigations; students were able to formulate topics and design informative exhibits and activities related to community health and the environment. Mike Denison was instrumental in steering the students towards their topics, helping them to brainstorm ideas from which they could develop captivating exhibits and activities. Guest lecturers in educational methodology and exhibit design inspired students to develop their projects for effective learning on the part of their audiences; they had to consider how to communicate clearly and engage their audience.

Announcement - Winter 1999: ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS on HUMAN HEALTH
This section focuses on community outreach on cutting edge university research in the environmental health sciences. Students choose a topic related to faculty research, interview the researchers, and develop an interactive exhibit that presents main ideas clearly and creatively. Topics include agrochemicals and reproduction; pesticides and cancer; air pollutants and lung disease; environmental justice health issues; neurotoxicant effects on health. Facilitator: Deborah Studebaker-Hallman, dstudebakerhallman@ucdavis.edu Credit: 2-3 units Etox 192, section 4, Denison, CRN# 63599. Sponsor: Center for Environmental Health Sciences.

Student Exhibit Topics

1. "What is Organic?" The effects of pesticide use and the definition of organic fruits and vegetables.
2. Natural Food Toxins.
3. Environmental Estrogens and their impact on Human Health. "What are Hormones?"
4. Human Health Hazards from Water Pollution ("Bathing in Poison"). Sources of pollution from homes, industry, and agriculture and what humans can do for prevention.
5. "Water Quality and Toxicity" a series of exhibits by the Aquatic Toxicology Outreach Program interns.

Audiences and Impact

The target audience was local K-12 students and their families. Students and their families were reached in various ways. Undergraduates in teams visited upper elementary classrooms and after school centers where they lead science activities and reached over 100 students. Schools visited in Davis were Birch Lane Elementary (60 students), Pioneer Elementary School's after school site (25 students), and, in Woodland, Dingle Elementary (30 students). The major outreach effort, however, was in the form of community science exhibitions. During the Fall quarter, two community science exhibitions were presented to the Davis community: at the Teen Center in Davis, and at Exploration Science Center. The teams of UCD students set up their exhibits at stations and the public moved through the exhibition. Audiences consisted primarily of youth and families. At the end of the winter quarter, a third community exhibition took place at the Teen Center in Davis. Combined community audiences were between 300 and 400 individuals. Environmental toxicology department chair Marion Miller arranged for the exhibits to go on display in Meyer Hall where they were viewed during Picnic Day. Lastly, the Aquatic Toxicology Outreach Program interns participated in the Spring 1999 community exhibition at the Davis Teen Center, and over 300 people attended. Announcements were made in the local newspapers, and flyers were circulated in regional schools, as well as on the UCD campus. Both the Davis Enterprise and the California Aggie covered the community exhibitions.

The exhibitions received high marks from the public as being both educational and enjoyable. The UC Davis students reported these experiences as inspiring and informative. For some, it solidified their desire to go into medicine and other health related professions, and for others it began or renewed a commitment to a career in education. Several students expressed interest in continuing community work and have joined related outreach projects. Students reported the "ask a research expert" phase of the course as most critical and educational, enabling them to better understand environmental science topics. The presenters from the fields of education and exhibit design had a very important effect on the quality of the teaching products students developed: the exhibits were attractive, well constructed, and interactive, engaging and interesting to both adult and school age audiences. We highly recommend the model of involving education and exhibit specialists in the development of research outreach, as exemplified in this project.

Center and non Center Investigators and Collaborators

Faculty Sponsor for Environmental Toxicology 192: Michael Denison, Environmental Toxicology.
Marion Miller, Environmental Toxicology, Chair, was an active promoter, and provided evaluation and resources for the project.
Fall 1998 Section Facilitator: Martin Smith, Veterinary Medicine Extension.
Winter 1999 Section Facilitator: Deborah Studebaker-Hallman, Nutrition.
Fall, Winter, Spring 1998, 1999 Aquatic Toxicology facilitator Stephen Clark, and assistant Chris Pincetich, both from the Aquatic Toxicology Lab.

Collaborations occurred with another section of the Science Education and Outreach Program, Watersheds and Bio-diversity, facilitated by education graduate student Carmia Feldman. Students from all sections attended Friday science education sessions and participated in the community science exhibitions, creating a larger university presence. Collaborating science educators who gave presentations included Division of Education faculty Maureen Mcmahon and Ann Cavallo and extension specialist Pam Castori, Dan Desmond (UC Cooperative Extension), Kathleen Socolofsky (UCD director of the Arboretum), Robert Frye (UCD assistant director Environmental Design Gallery), Alida Morzenti (UCD Avian Sciences), and Anne Hance (Davis City Exploration Science Center). In addition, Martin Smith gave presentations all three quarters. The internship was coordinated with the Internship and Career Center and the Department of Environmental Toxicology.

Other Contributions

Other sources of funding during 1998-99 were from UC Davis programs: Public Service Research Program (PSRP), Aquatic Toxicology Lab (aquatic toxicology section), and the John Muir Institute of the Environment (bio-diversity section). PSRP provided the administrative and coordinating support, plus office and meeting space. Other agencies have contributed to the Science Education and Outreach Program as a result of initial Center funding: At UC Davis, the John Muir Institute of the Environment, Veterinary Medicine Extension and Public Programs, and the UC Davis Superfund Program (Winter 2000). US EPA has funded a related environmental education project for $113,493 which includes funding for a new section (Putah Creek Explorations) in winter and spring 2000.

Future Goals

Future goals are to provide an "Environmental Effects of Human Health" section of the Science Education Outreach Program on a yearly basis. Community outreach events and school audiences served will differ over the years. For winter 2000 quarter, the section will be offered under the title "Health Hazards - Toxics in the Environment", with funding from the UC Davis Superfund Program. Mike Denison will be the faculty sponsor. Funding will be sought for the 2000-2001 academic year.

MIGRANT FARMWORKER 'CONSEJERAS' TRAINING PROGRAM

Project Coordinator - Faith Boucher, UCD Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, fkboucher@ucdavis.edu

1. What were the initial goals and background of the program?
We intended to increase farmworker knowledge of the health hazards represented by pesticides in the workplace, and of the steps that can be taken to protect ones' self and family from contact with them. The target population was the 300+ families living in the migrant housing centers in Dixon, Lodi, Williams, and Madison. We had previously recruited over 40 lay health advisors who were trained to give public health educational
sessions in the camps. At least one large meeting (20+ people) and several smaller meetings (5-10 people) were organized in each camp.

2. Methods:
a. What tasks/steps were performed to complete the goals?
We wrote an educational module of 1 hour in duration, which was presented to the promotores/as de salud at the above camps. We gave them a video on recognition of and first aid for pesticide illness, produced by Integrated Pest Management using the Dixon camp residents as actors. We also reproduced Spanish-language pamphlets and other materials of a suitable reading level for distribution at meetings.

b. Specifically how was the research focus of the NIEHS Center at UC Davis incorporated into the program?
In order to establish a population baseline for knowledge of and experience of pesticide illness to guide the production of an educational module on the subject, we administered a short questionnaire to 23 promotores/as de salud at the Lodi and Dixon camps. The results of this non-randomized survey of a convenience sample revealed that 1.) pesticide illness is rare among farmworkers; 2.) the majority of the pesticide illness episodes reported were transient in nature; 3.) farmworker attribution of symptoms to pesticides is based not on the nature of the symptoms but on episodes of known or supposed exposures to pesticides that occur before the symptoms occur. The time between the exposure and the appearance of symptoms may be as long as a year or more. This information helped us to concentrate on conveying information about unequivocal symptoms as well as recognition of the health effects of specific chemicals.

c. Other sources of funding - none

3. RESULTS
a. Who was the target audience? - population of the migrant housing centers in Dixon, Lodi, Madison, and Williams.

b. How many people were reached? The promotores/as de salud who completed the module prepared by staff numbered 38. Not all promotores/as de salud elected to do a special large presentation on pesticides, as the Williams group did it in conjunction with another presentation. We know how many people attended the presentations in each camp: Williams - 27, Dixon - 34, Lodi - 24, Madison - 19

There are many others who were shown the video by the promotores/as in their homes or learned of pesticide illness symptoms and first aid in informal, face-to-face interaction with the promotores/as.

c. What were the products, outcome/impact of the program - i.e., workshops given, questionnaire developed, publications?
The most important product of the program was the duplicated copies of the IPM video. We also determined that most of the pesticide information printed materials in Spanish were at much too high a reading level for the average farmworker who has 6 years or less of education. We also developed a questionnaire to test knowledge of and experience of pesticide illness, but much more refinement needs to be done in eliciting the symptoms that farmworkers associate with pesticide exposure.

No workshops for professionals came out of this project. But, about 30% of the entire adult population of these camps attended at least one presentation, and the promotores/as influence extends to families and beyond to neighbors. We believe that the majority of camp residents have heard of the major symptoms of pesticide illness, and the first aid
measures necessary.

d. Dr. Marc Schenker (Center investigator) was involved in this project from its inception.

e. How did this Center funding facilitate new collaborations with non-Center investigators?

Non-Center faculty and staff who were involved with us on this project include the cooperative extension agents in Yolo and San Joaquin County, who gave us advice on where to locate Spanish pamphlets. Jim Grieshop and his students explained to us about the game "La Loteria de Pesticidas" that they developed as a teaching tool. Bill Steinke and Barbara Meierhenry of the Dept. of Bio and Ag Engineering's Farm Safety Center helped to incorporate pesticide information into the children's safety curriculum developed for farmworker children, that ran concurrent with the promotores/as training and the public educational presentations in the camps.

f. Were funds successfully solicited from other agencies as a result? N/A.

g. Do you have any photos, slides, handouts or other materials?
We have photos, and we have examples of really bad information pamphlets in Spanish that should help others produce good ones.

4. What are the future goals for the program?

We would definitely like to extend the program for another year. Since this year we have new promotores/as de salud working, we would have the following objectives, for our goal of increasing farmworker knowledge of pesticide illness symptoms and first aid.

1.) To produce another educational module for the promotores/as on pesticide illness and first aid, including the IPM video.

2.) To duplicate our own educational pamphlets for pesticide illness, with clear pictures and suitable text, edited and revised by the promotores/as.

3.) To organize large and small educational sessions for promotores/as de salud to teach their friends and neighbors about pesticide illness and first aid.

RURAL HEALTH CLINIC OUTREACH PROJECT

Project Coordinators: Patrick O'Connor-Marer, UCD Integrated Pest Management Pesticide Education Office; Barry Wilson, UCD Environmental Toxicology and Center for Environmental Health Sciences; Jennifer Weber, UCD Integrated Pest Management Pesticide Education Office, jlweber@ucdavis.edu

Project Description and Initial Goals. This project explores ways to connect environmental health research information, resources, and training with practitioners working in California's rural health centers. This enables agricultural workers in California to benefit from better health treatment because practitioners will gain greater awareness and knowledge of environmental hazards and their consequences. In addition, rural health centers become foci for distributing information to agricultural workers about ways to avoid environmental hazards.

As this project progresses, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Center investigators will match their skills with the needs of the migrant health clinics' staffs. Investigators who can offer their expertise include Barry Wilson (pesticides and cholinesterase testing), Marc Schenker (respiratory diseases), Bill Lasley and Ellen Gold (reproduction), and Fumio Matsumura, Gino Cortopassi, and Michael Denison (carcinogens).

Interactions focus on developing prototype programs that link researchers and research findings with clinic practitioners. Examples of programs include:

(1) organizing and conducting train-the-trainer workshops where researchers participate in educational programs for key clinic staffótthese staff will then provide training to other clinic medical staff;

(2) developing CME-approved modules on specific environmental health hazards;

(3) publishing a newsletter to communicate important environmental health research information to clinic practitioners;

(4) serving as a clearinghouse for important and useful clinic resources available through the Internet, such as EXTOXNET and the Pesticide Use Database, and through other media; and

(5) establishing a "hotline" that connects clinic practitioners with appropriate researchers within the NIEHS Center

Background. For 50 consecutive years, California has been the number one agricultural state in the nation with nearly one-third (29 million) of California's 100 million acres of land devoted to agricultural production. Agriculture continues to be a vital part of California's economic future, providing more than 1,000,000 jobs on over 85,000 farms. Many of the people in the agricultural workforce are immigrants. Some are seasonal workers who migrate according to employment opportunities, while others have settled into rural communities where they have regular, often seasonal, employment. The majority of the migrant population comes from Mexico, although California also has settlements of Southeast Asian, Punjabi, and other migrant groups. In addition, there are an increasing number of small-scale family-owned or managed specialty crop farms appearing throughout the state. Many of these growers, representing a variety of languages and cultural backgrounds, are using pesticides for the first time and may not recognize the potential for health hazards if these pesticides are handled incorrectly.

Migrant health centers serve as the primary health care facilities for thousands of farmworkers throughout the state. These federally-funded health centers are located in rural areas, have bilingual staff, and offer a variety of services for farmworkers and their families.

Methods. A clinic outreach advisory committee was established to advise on ways to address the needs of rural clinic staff and their patients. After reviewing and discussing results of the 1997 needs analysis survey, the committee recommended that investigators conduct train-the-trainer workshops for representatives of various clinics. In addition, they encouraged finding and developing reference materials for use by clinic personnel, suggesting that both training and resources focus on pesticide toxicological information and pesticide illness reporting procedures. The committee also urged investigators to provide a forum for clinic staff to interact with pesticide regulators and enforcement agencies.

Investigators worked closely with the clinic outreach advisory committee to design this workshop. Many of the committee members also served as workshop instructors and provided broad experience and a variety of perspectives on the issues.

Instructors include Patrick J. O'Connor-Marer, Melanie Zavala, and Jennifer Weber, UC Statewide IPM Project's Pesticide Education program; Barry Wilson, UC Davis Departments of Animal Science and Environmental Toxicology; Michael O'Malley, UC Davis Employee Health Services and Department of Pesticide Regulationíss Worker Health and Safety Branch; Rupali Das, California Department of Health Services; and Maria Vidauri, Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner's office.

The workshop was modeled after the UC Statewide Integrated Pest Management Project's train-the-trainer workshops for instructors of pesticide handlers and agricultural fieldworkers. It provided key clinic personnel and others with information, resources, and training skills to help them train others in the recognition, diagnosis, and management of pesticide-related illnesses and injuries. Participants attended six interactive sessions. In these they received information on reporting requirements and pesticide use in California and were provided with reference materials for recognizing and treating pesticide illnesses and injuries. They were also given an overview of the latest tools for medical monitoring of pesticide exposure. Training techniques and hands-on activities were emphasized to help participants develop interesting and effective programs for training medical personnel.

The final session brought all of these elements together through a role-playing exercise. Three participants volunteered to portray patients suffering from symptoms that could have been caused by pesticide exposure. The remaining participants acted as health care providers trying to diagnose the situation using currently available resources.

Results. The train-the-trainer workshop was initially promoted as a course for health care providers interested in extending pesticide information and resources to other medical personnel. However, investigators were surprised to discover that the program also appealed to farmworker advocacy groups, growers, and workersí compensation insurance company representatives. This mix of diverse interest groups added an unique dynamic to the program and greatly contributed to the success of the training. This was the first time many of these organizations or individuals had interacted with the other groups.

The advantages of this interaction was particularly evident during the case study session. Each case study was based on a real situation and therefore paralleled situations and challenges that people face every day. Training participants experienced the difficulty in addressing these cases as they tried to diagnose the case, seek information about the exposure, and decide how to respond in the patients' best interest, while at the same time comply with the law.

The results of the session also contributed to good discussions following the session and enabled the participants to better understand the complicated issues associated with pesticides and human health. Discussion focused on concerns about legal issues, workers' rights, and what actually happens to farmworkers involved in these situations.

Investigators discovered that the train-the-trainer workshop model is an effective way to bring members of the community together to explore common concerns and contribute to ongoing efforts to solve important problems.

Collaboration. One of the most noteworthy achievements of this project has been the generation of interest, support, and collaboration among investigators and representatives from diverse community groups.

The train-the-trainer workshop was financed and sponsored by the UC Agricultural Health and Safety Center at Davis and the UC Davis Center for Environmental Health Sciences. However, the UC Davis Office of Continuing Medical Education, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation, the California Department of Health Services, and the UC Cooperative Extension and Agricultural Commissioner offices of Monterey County also cosponsored the workshop and assisted in promotion, and providing local resources.

Investigators have continued collaboration with representatives from NIOSH, the U.S. EPA, EPA region 9, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation, USDA, the Department of Labor, OEHHA, the California Department of Health and Human Services, County Agricultural Commissioners' offices, rural health clinics, farmworker advocacy groups, and University Extension throughout the western states.

Throughout the year, investigators have eagerly served as resources and guest speakers for others who are also providing pesticide illness and injury information to medical care providers.

In October 1998 all three project coordinators were asked to present sessions addressing such topics as pesticide use, protective equipment safety, and medical monitoring of pesticides at a conference entitled, Agricultural Pesticides & Health in California. More than 200 growers, agricultural industry representatives, regulatory personnel, farmworker advocates, health care providers, and outreach workers attended this two day conference. The event was sponsored by the Center for Occupational and Environmental Health at the University of California, Berkeley. Co-sponsors included California Department of Pesticide Regulation, U.S. EPA Region 9, UC Agricultural Health & Safety Center at Davis, and University Health Services of UC Berkeley.

In addition, O'Connor-Marer and Weber were invited to present a workshop at the Western Region Pesticide Meeting held in Scottsdale, Arizona, in May of 1999. This 90 minute workshop provided Cooperative Extension Pesticide Applicator Trainer (PAT) Coordinators from 17 western states and territories the opportunity to participate in interactions and discussions similar to those that took place during the earlier train-the trainer workshop. By the end of the workshop many new partnerships had been formed. Investigators plan to assist other PAT Coordinators with their efforts to offer similar programs throughout the western United States.

As mentioned in previous progress reports, the U.S. EPA, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Department of Labor convened a workshop on Pesticides and National Strategies for Health Care Providers. This workshop was held in Arlington, Virginia, in April 1998. The goal of the workshop was to identify strategies for educating health care providers to recognize, diagnose, manage, and prevent adverse health effects from pesticide exposures. A project investigator, Jennifer Weber, attended this workshop. The findings from our rural health clinic needs assessment were presented and incorporated into the published proceedings of the workshop (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1998).

As a result of this national workshop and the recommendations of the expert panel that was convened, three workgroups were formed to develop national strategic plans. Each workgroup is comprised of 15 to 29 representatives of key stakeholder organizations and institutions in the field, and is designed to reflect the multidisciplinary nature of the issue of pesticides and health. Participating federal agencies include: the U.S. EPA, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Labor, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The initiative is being coordinated by the National Environmental Education & Training Foundation.

The U.S. EPA appointed project investigator O'Connor-Marer to serve on the national workgroup to study and recommend ways medical care providers can be trained to manage pesticide-related illnesses and injuries. He is one of two Cooperative Extension representatives from the entire U.S. among the 78 participants working on these three different panels.

Other Sources of Funding. This project receives support from the UC Statewide IPM Project and the UC Agricultural Health and Safety Center at Davis. The activities that we have completed so far through CEHS and other funding sources have greatly contributed to the feasibility of developing grant proposals for other aspects of working with health care providers on pesticide illness and injury issues.

Future Program Goals. Investigators will continue to make concerted efforts to provide useful workshops and resources, and to develop links among medical personnel, farmworker advocacy groups, insurance companies, enforcement agencies, and others.

There is still a great need to identify barriers, issues, and informational gaps faced by health care providers and their patients. Investigators plan to continue their work with advisory committee members and clinic personnel to organize and present a series of train-the-trainer workshops for health care providers.

Improving the ability of health care providers to better diagnose, treat, report, and prevent pesticide-related illnesses and injuries will significantly contribute to the increased health and well-being of agricultural workers and their families. It will also improve the accuracy of information available to regulatory agencies so they can take appropriate regulatory action and, working with other agencies, develop effective interventions.

The transfer of the latest information to clinical laboratory personnel about pesticides and the new regulations for cholinesterase testing is assured by the inclusion of neurotoxicologist Barry Wilson and health physician Michael O'Malley who are active in setting and expediting such state agency safety measures.

By continuing the project, we will be able to conduct three additional train the-trainer workshops for extending pesticide illness and injury information and resources. Investigators have received requests to offer this program in Merced, San Luis Obispo, and Alameda Counties. These training sessions will also provide opportunities for CEHS investigators to interact with clinic personnel, growers, health outreach workers, worker's compensation insurance representatives, and farmworker advocates.

FRIENDS OF ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY

Project Coordinators: Rebecca Morrison, NIEHS Center for Environmental Health Sciences; Fumio Matsumura, Center Director and Professor, UCD Department Marion Miller, Center investigator and professor and chair of the UCD Department of Environmental Toxicology

1. What were the initial goals and background of the program?
The Friends of Environmental Toxicology Program at UC Davis was initiated in 1997 by a joint effort between the UC Davis Department of Environmental Toxicology and the NIEHS Center for Environmental Health Sciences at UC Davis with the goal of promoting outreach to Northern California constituencies interested in environmental health. "Friends" include Northern California farmworkers, growers, pesticide and chemical companies, schoolteachers and students, government agencies, environmental groups, alumni, concerned citizens and UC Davis faculty, staff and students.

2. What tasks/steps were performed to complete the goal?
1) Established the annual Friends of Environmental Toxicology Day that is held every year in a Saturday in May. Friends, alumni and UC Davis faculty, staff and students are invited to attend this event which includes guest speakers and panel discussions on a variety of environmental health topics. The topic for 1998 was MTBE and the topic for 1999 was Biotechnology and Biopesticides.

2) Established two listservers for the Friends of Environmental Toxicology serving approximately 1,000 people.

3) Established a Friends web site including many links and informational web pages. http://www.envtox.ucdavis.edu/friends

4) Established a Community Advisory Team consisting of alumni, representatives from local government agencies, a schoolteacher, an industry representative, a professor from an environmental program at another Northern California university, and an agricultural advocate. The Team meets once a year to provide guidance and direction to the Department of Environmental Toxicology, graduate/undergraduate programs, federally funded programs such as the Center for Environmental Health Sciences, and outreach programs.

5) Created an address database of 3000 Friends including Northern California farmworkers, growers, cooperative extension specialists, pesticide and chemical companies, schoolteachers and students, government agencies, environmental groups, alumni, concerned citizens and UC Davis faculty, staff and students.

6) Produce an annual Friends newsletter.

7) Set up a Friends mentor/networking database on the web as a resource for people seeking information on environmental toxicology topics and/or related subjects.

8) Established an electronic environmental health sciences job board for Friends to advertise environmentally related job vacancies.

9) Created two awards programs to recognize citizens who have contributed significantly to the field of environmental toxicology.

10) Host the annual Picnic Day event which highlights Department and Center activities, and provides hands-on environmental health exhibits for kids. Approximately 300 - 500 people attend this annual event.

11) Hosted two tours by local junior and high school kids of the Department and the Center.

12) Maintain an on-line calendar of environmental health-related seminars, meetings and other events.

13) Instituted a Fall Barbecue Welcome for Alumni and Friends to meet with Department and Center staff, students and faculty, and to help welcome new undergraduates to UC Davis.

3. How was the research focus of the NIEHS Center at UC Davis incorporated into the program?
The annual events all focus on health effects of agrochemicals and/or related xenobiotics.

4. What other sources of funding did the program receive? List agencies and dollar amounts.

The Friends Program has received $4,000 per year since 1997 from the Department of Environmental Toxicology, and has received approximately $2,000 from the sale of Friends T-shirts and event/conference fees.

6. Which Center investigators were directly involved?
All Center investigators are part of the Friends program and participate in the Friends events.

7. Future goals?
The Friends Program plans to continue its annual events and newsletters and will continue to work on defining and expanding its Northern California outreach constituency.

CEHS OFFICE OF THE OUTREACH COORDINATOR

Project Coordinators - Rebecca Morrison, CEHS Outreach Coordinator; Fumio Matsumura, Center Director; Valeria Lee, CEHS Student Assistant; Veronica Ortiz, CEHS Student Assistant

1. Initial Goals of the Program: 1) To translate research of the NIEHS Center for Environmental Health Sciences into knowledge that can be applied to public health; 2) To make the surrounding community (including UC Davis and Northern and Central California) aware of the existence of our Center and its availability as a resource; 3) To conduct outreach activities to disseminate information about CEHS research to communities in Northern and Central California; 4) Collaborate with existing programs such as Cooperative Extension Offices; 5) Involve CEHS investigators in outreach projects; 6) Incorporate Center theme in outreach projects.

2. What tasks/steps were performed to complete the goal?
1) Created an address database of 4000 people including Northern California farmworkers, growers, cooperative extension specialists, pesticide and chemical companies, schoolteachers and students, government agencies, environmental groups, alumni, concerned citizens and UC Davis faculty, staff and students. The database includes the following constituents:

A = Agricultural (farmers, growers, pesticide companies, regulators, coop extension, state agencies, academics specializing in ag)
B = Member of Northern California SETAC
C = CEHS Investigator
D = A&ES Dean's Advisory Committee
E = Environmental Justice Companies/Organizations - (includes list from Dr. Olden)
F = is on Friends mailing list
FF = Friend of Environmental Toxicology
G = Participants in the CEHS Symposium on Aging
H = Northern California High School Science Departments
I = NIEHS Center Directors around the nation
J = Environmental Toxicology Seminar List
K = K-12 Contacts
L = UCD Alumni
M = Medical Company and/or Health Agency and/or Doctor
N = NIH/NIEHS
O = Center Outreach
P = Alumni who graduated from Pharm/Tox Ph.D. Program
Q = UC Davis Graduate Groups
R = Alumni who graduated from ETOX Undergraduate Program
S = State Agency
T = Pharm/Tox Grad Group
U = Environmental Toxicology Community Advisory Team
V = Environmental Agencies/Companies
W = Current Graduate Student
X = External Advisory Committee (CEHS)
Y = Foreign Address
Z = 1999 Clean Air Act Advisory Committee (CAAC) MTBE Panel -12/1/98
1 = Picnic Day Attendees
2 = Ag & Env Chemistry Graduate Group - Professors Only
3 = GETA
4 = Publicity
5 = CEHS Fellows
6 = Environmental Toxicology Staff, Faculty and Students
7 = Current Undergraduate Students
8 = NIEHS Center Business Managers

2) Established a Center web site including many links and informational web pages. http://www.envtox.ucdavis.edu/cehs

3) Established the yearly environmental health sciences symposium which showcases Center research activities as well as complementary research by other national scientists. In 1997, the symposium was entitled, "Age-Related Disease: Prevention and the Environment." In 1999, the Center co-sponsored the "International Congress on Ecosystem Health" and held a town hall meeting entitled, "Environmental Health on the Ag/Urban Frontier."

4) Produce Center newsletters which contain interviews of Center investigators, outreach and symposium highlights, pilot project results, recent Center investigator publication citations, and Center research focus articles.

5) Established extensive connections with regional K-12 schools via direct outreach calls and in-person visits by Dr. Marion Miller, Center Investigator, and on-campus meetings with Cal EPA K-12 Outreach Coordinator, Susan Knadle, with WestEd K-12 Science Alliance, and local school teachers and administrators. Established database of K-12 contacts, and set up website of UC Davis and extramural resources for K-12 teachers at http://www.envtox.ucdavis.edu/cehs/OUTREACH/k-12.htm. Made connections with many UC Davis K-12 programs such as the California Science Implementation Network, and involve Center investigators whereever possible such as having Dr. Vulliet give an environmental health presentation to a Central Valley kindergarten class.

5) Prepared/collaborated in the following K-12 grant applications:

- Submitted October 1997 - Provided letter of support from Center Director for the NIH Science Education Partnership Award entitled, "Community Health Inquiry Project." $250,000. Richard Ponzio, PI, Department of Human and Community Development, UC Davis. Jerry Last, Center Investigator, Co-PI. Not funded.

- Submitted May 1999 - NSF Graduate Teaching Fellows in K-12 Education, PI Fumio Matsumura (Center Director). $1,500,000 direct costs for 3 years. Center investigators listed as supporting scientists. Not funded.

- Submitted December 1999 - NIEHS Environmental Health Science as an Integrative Context for Learning (ES-99-011). Marion Miller, PI (Center Investigator). Center investigators listed as supporting faculty. $1,562,892 direct costs for 7 years. Pending.

- Submit May 2000 - NSF Graduate Teaching Fellows in K-12 Education, PI Marion Miller (Center Investigator). $1,500,000 direct costs for 3 years. Center investigators listed as supporting scientists.

- Submit May 2000 - Provided letter of support from Center Director for the NIH Science Education Partnership Award entitled, "Gardening, Exercise, and Nutrition in Informal Educational Settings." $250,000. Richard Ponzio, PI, Department of Human and Community Development, UC Davis. Jerry Last, Center Investigator, Co-PI.

3. What other sources of funding did the program receive? List agencies and dollar amounts. The Friends Program has received $5,000 per year from the Department of Environmental Toxicology, and has received approximately $2,000 from the sale of Friends T-shirts and event/conference fees.

4. Recognition and Awards: The Outreach Coordinator, Rebecca Morrison, received a Departmental award in 1997 for establishing the successful Friends of Environmental Toxicology Outreach Program, and an award in 1999 for her contributions to K-12 outreach through creating the Picnic Day program and preparing UCD K-12 grant applications. Award total: $3800.

5. How was the research focus of the NIEHS Center at UC Davis incorporated into the program? The annual events, newsletters, web sites, etc., all focus on health effects of agrochemicals and/or related xenobiotics.

6. Which Center investigators were directly involved? All Center investigators are part of the Friends program and participate in the Friends events.

7. Future goals? The Friends Program plans to continue its annual events and newsletters and will continue to work on defining and expanding its Northern California outreach constituency.