The Future of Science Education http://www.futurewecreate.com/

Join a distinguished group of thought leaders as they explore how improvements in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education can generate greater workforce readiness in the United States.

Beginning with a video presentation, and followed by an online chat, The Future of Science Education: STEM and Workforce Readiness will both examine the broad set of issues facing STEM education and hone in on project-based learning models. From transforming graduation rates across the board to fostering engagement and interest in STEM subjects, project-based learning is proving its unique value.

Clean, Green and Healthy Schools Webinar Series

Hosted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 8, the webinars are designed for schools serving tribal communities but are OPEN TO ALL: school administrators, risk managers, educators, health and safety coordinators, school health professionals, environmental protection personnel, parents, communities, and EPA personnel.

Please register to attend. You may attend one or more presentations in the webinar series and there is no cost to attend.
   
Register at: www.epa.gov/region8/tribalschools
For additional information:  Matthew M. Langenfeld, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 8, 1595 Wynkoop Street, 8P-P3T, Denver, CO 80202, 303-312-6284, Langenfeld.matthew@epa.gov
  
Integrated Pest Management & Green Cleaning in Schools
Mike Daniels, Native Integrated Pest Management Consultant
North Central Integrated Pesticide Management
Marie Zanowick, EPA
2/1/2012 3:30 PM MST, 5:30 PM EST

Recycling, Composting & Gardening in Schools
Virginia Till, EPA
Diane Jourdan, Oneida and Stockbridge Tribe
2/8/2012 3:30 PM MST, 5:30 PM EST

Indoor Air in Schools
Mansel Nelson; Graylynn Jaysue Hudson, Northern Arizona
Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals
2/15/2012 3:30 PM, 5:30 PM EST

Energy & Water Conservation in Schools
Deenise Becenti, Navajo Tribal Utility Authority
2/22/2012 3:30 PM MST, 5:30 PM EST

Successful Strategies for Creating a Culture of Laboratory Safety
by Bryan Connors, M.S., C.I.H., H.E.M.

Felony charges have been filed against the University of California and a University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) chemistry professor in connection with a laboratory fire that killed a staff research assistant three years ago. The L.A. County district attorney’s office has filed criminal charges against the chemistry professor responsible for the training and supervision of the research assistant, and the regents of the University of California with three counts each of willfully violating occupational health and safety standards, resulting in the research assistant’s death. 

This tragedy has prompted universities and biotech facilities across the nation to scrutinize their own laboratory safety programs to ensure that they are adequately protecting employees from injury. EH&E manages environmental health and safety (EH&S) programs for several large research institutions in Boston and Cambridge, MA and understands these concerns. Similar incidents reported by the media have driven our staff to conduct internal reviews of our own programs to identify vulnerabilities and make improvements. This article offers insights from our internal reviews and resulting efforts on strategies we’ve found to be successful at improving safety program performance...

Continue reading here

 

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Environmental Health and Engineering Webinar

Best Practice Strategies for Laboratory Safety Programs 

2/7/12 EST   Pice: $0.00

Learn best practices and proven strategies for implementing, maximizing, and tracking the effectiveness of lab safety management programs. 

More information

Registration Deadline:  2/7/2012 10:00:00 AM 


Register Online

 

Safety task force will evaluate evacuation plan By Sarah Hite, Staff Writer  shite@timesleader.com   January 22  http://www.timesleader.com/TheDallasPost/news/Safety_task_force_will_evaluate_evacuation_plan_01-22-2012.html
Parents have demanded a specific evacuation plan tailored to a natural gas emergency for the Dallas School District, and district officials recently announced the creation of a safety task force, comprised of local first responders, board members and natural gas experts, to aid in the development of a plan.

The marker at the site of the 1937 Texas School Explosion.

March 18, 2012 is the 75th anniversary of the 1937 Texas School Explosion, a massive explosion that destroyed the New London Junior Senior High School killing an estimated 296 students and teachers. The subsequent deaths of victims from injuries sustained brought the final death count to 311(*). The explosion was attributed to the odorless gas leak beneath the school building. The memorial to victims of this explosion was erected in 1939. *Due to the mobility of the people in the oil industry and lack of records, we do not know the exact number that died. Today the estimate is 319. (Photo: Ellie Goldberg, 2005)

Got gas?

Rampant city gas leaks. 65 million American households use natural gas to heat and cook. And thanks to the mining technique known as hydraulic fracturing, supply is soaring and so is demand. But delivering on natural gas’s promise, and distributing trillions of cubic feet through a maze of millions of miles of pipelines is fraught with many potential problems and real dangers, including contributing to climate change. 
Living On Earth
http://www.loe.org/shows/segments.html?programID=12-P13-00002&segmentID=3

What to do if you smell gas?
Note from City of Newton website: Natural Gas

Only Your Nose Can Detect a Natural Gas Odor

Natural gas has no scent of its own. The natural gas "odor" is actually added for safety reasons to aid in the detection of a gas leak. The "rotten egg" smell helps you detect even the tiniest gas leak.

A natural gas leak can be extremely dangerous, so use the following advice when you smell natural gas.

Gas Leaks, Odors and Emergencies  (24 hours a day):    911 or 1-800-231-5325

If you smell a faint odor:

Look for the source.
Check pilot lights on your furnace, water heater or stove.
Re-light pilot lights only if you're familiar with the process; otherwise, call us at the number above.
Make sure the burners on your stove are completely turned off.
If you can't find the source of the odor, call the number above.

If you smell a strong odor:

Leave the home or building immediately and leave the door open behind you to allow air to enter.
Call the emergency number above using a neighbor's phone or a cellular phone.
If you detect an odor outdoors, leave the area immediately and call the number.
When leaving a home or building, do not use any electrical devices that might create spark, such as light switches, flashlights, telephones, and computers.