IN THE CLASSROOM:

Lawrence Winters’ usually frenetic eighth-grade social studies class sat in silence watching videos about global warming Thursday.

The TeWinkle Middle Schoolers’ silence didn’t last long.

“They recognized this is the world they are going to be living in,” Winters said.

The class was working with UCI undergraduate students from Global Connect, a university community and outreach program.

Students decided to do some environmental activism by writing letters and building posters to promote a “green” world, while educating themselves on the subject.

“We are the next generation of scholars and professors,” said 13-year-old Daniel Pfister. “If we have the knowledge at this age; whether it be global warming or crime, it will be easier to create awareness.

“[The campaign] is giving us that information that we need.”

The students wrote letters to the Daily Pilot advocating for a green column to raise awareness of global environmental issues. They also built a project board teeming with topics on green issues, which they will research and try to answer.

The point is to teach them about being educated citizens who take on an active role in the world and their communities.

“To me [activism] is an idea or theory you have heard, and if you agree with it you take action to help it happen,” Daniel said. “And if it is negative, you take action to solve it or prevent it.”

Ellen Schlosser, director of Global Connect, has been working with the program for six years and believes it gives children an unusual opportunity.

“They feel they can be a part of it, a part of a solution rather than throwing up their hands,” she said.

“The kids hold their own,” said Winters, who added the Global Connect program creates a college-type learning environment. “I see their responses and their eyes light up.”

DANIEL TEDFORD may be reached at (714) 966-4632 or at [email protected].