The lack of clean water, air and access to food for people worldwide were the focus of Shady Side Academy Middle School's fifth annual Global Action Day.
Students last month studied some of the world's most prevalent problems and learned ways to combat them.
Sixth-graders, having recently read the book, “A Long Walk to Water” by Linda Sue Park, talked about water issues across the globe and created informational posters for a gallery in the school's hallway. They also participated in an Iron Giraffe Challenge and hula hooping to raise money for the group, Water for South Sudan.
Seventh-graders spent the day learning about the history of Pittsburgh's air quality from guest speakers Thaddeus Popovich of Allegheny Clean Air Now and Aja Ellis, a doctoral. student at Carnegie Mellon University.
Students learned how to use monitors to analyze the air quality at the middle school campus in Fox Chapel, then worked in advisory groups to create public service announcements about pollutants.
Eighth-graders explored the issues of food access and waste. They participated in a learning exercise that involved planning a menu and grocery shopping at a grocery store on a poverty-level budget. Hana Uman of 412 Food Rescue was the guest speaker who told students that 40 percent of food produced is wasted. Uman's group redirects food from landfills to those who need it.
Students donated the food purchased that day.
Communications Director Jen Roupe said the goal of Global Action Day is to raise awareness and educate students about key issues while empowering them to impact change in their community. The annual service day is organized by social studies teacher Molly Braver.
Tawnya Panizzi is a staff writer for the Tribune-Review. Reach her at 412-782-2121, ext. 2, tpanizzi@tribweb.com or @tawnyatrib.
