Cathy Orlando Environmental Stewardship Award Winner Announced
Congratulations to Dean Koucoulas, the winner of the Cathy Orlando Award for Environmental Stewardship! Dean is a Let’s Talk Science volunteer who has been doing amazing outreach on environmental issues.
The one time award was presented in recognition of long time Let’s Talk Science Outreach Coordinator Cathy Orlando. Orlando was extremely dedicated to the promotion of environmental activism and inspired many youth and volunteers. The environmental award showcases volunteers who have similar aspirations.
Let’s Talk Science Outreach volunteers who have created environmental science activities were encouraged to submit their activities with an explanation of how it created environmental awareness for the youth. Koucoulas is a volunteer from Let’s Talk Science Outreach at the University of Toronto, Scarborough campus.
Koucoulas created a dynamic and insightful activity concerning human interactions with the environment. Throughout this activity, 10-12 year old students investigate how humans are connected to habitat pollution. They follow-up the activity with a recycling project meant to last throughout the year in the classroom.
“I personally feel that the influence of Let’s Talk Science on children should not only last as long as the volunteers are present for the event. Rather, the effects should be maintained all year long to ensure that awareness of environmental issues is not forgotten,” explains Koucoulas.
We also have two honorable mentions for activities that stood out among the applications: Ocean Acidification by Beckie Granatstein of the University of Ottawa and Conservation Continuum by Joana Augusto, Katie Kowarski, Jade Atkins, Joseph Cullen, and Kristi O’Brien of Dalhousie University.
The activities submitted will be made available to all of our outreach volunteers, to continue to encourage environmental stewardship across Canada.
For more information about the award click here
