The mission of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is to protect human health and the environment. EPA is headquartered in Washington DC, but the Research Triangle Park campus houses 15 EPA offices, including the major center for air pollution research and regulation and is the largest EPA facility outside of DC.
The EPA-RTP’s STEM program is unique to the agency and seeks STEM opportunities in schools and the community, recruits and trains employees to participate based on their expertise, interest, and availability. The program develops hands-on activities and interactive discussion to engage students in STEM learning and to promote environmental awareness.
Through EPA-RTP’s STEM program in RTP, 10% or more of EPA’S 2,100 employees annually participate in SMT education. In 2013, EPA-RTP employees collectively spent more than 2,000 hours visiting 12 NC counties and three states. They participated in events at 23 high schools, 19 middle schools, 28 elementary schools, and four K-12 schools.
In 2014, EPA hosted three national webinars to educate teachers on climate change and related classroom activities to engage their students. Additionally, each summer, EPA-RTP hosts a 2-day Air Quality Workshop for teachers and other non-formal educators.
