SEM Link Hosts World Water Day for Metro Atlanta Elementary Students with a Local Soil Scientist

ATLANTA - March 27, 2019 - PRLog -- In celebration of World Water Day 2019, SEM Link hosted an event that connected volunteer Metro Atlanta geoscientists with students in grades 3-5 from Fulton County Public Schools.  The event, led by Tokiwa T. Smith, Founder and Executive Director of SEM Link, was carried out with the support of the American Geophysical Union (AGU)'S Celebrate 100 Grants program (https://centennial.agu.org/celebrate-100-grant-winners/), which provides funding for grassroots engagement activities that promote the value of Earth and space science.

SEM Link's World Water Day celebration was the kick-off of SEM Link's program initiatives that engage Metro Atlanta students in hands-on STEM and career exploration activities in Earth and Spaces Sciences.  This project was executed in collaboration with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and Southern Red Dirt (a private company) and with Fulton County Public Schools. This project supports 2 Fulton County Schools; Stonewall Tell Elementary and Tri-Cities High School. Both schools will receive a small grant award of $250 and curriculum resources to assist the school with the implementation of lesson plans in the states Earth and Space Science curriculum standards and activities in the school garden.  "We were so excited to host a World Water Day Celebration and kick-off this initiative on World Water Day.  Water is truly life and impacts so much of our daily lives, focusing on water allows us to make real-world connections of Earth and Space science for the students. Our goal is that making those real world connections will get students excited about these fields and spark an interest in some for pursuing careers in these fields" States Ms. Tokiwa T. Smith, SEM Link Founder and Executive Director.

On World Water Day, March 22, Stephon Thomas, a soil scientist with Southern Red Dirt and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), coordinated by Stonewall Tell Elementary School STEAM coordinator visited 3 classrooms; a 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th grade class. These classes were selected because they are currently studying topics on soil and water. In his time with the students Mr. Thomas spoke with the students about what made him interested in soil science as child, his career journey to become a soil scientist and what he does every day as a soil scientist. He also gave a brief lesson on soil science and hydrology, taught the students about the urban water cycle and the connections between soil and water. After the brief lesson on social science and hydrology, Mr. Thomas and the students collected soil samples on the school site. A soil sample was collected for each grade level and the samples will be sent off to the lab to test for pH and other factors to indicate soil health; the test results will be shared with the students.  "This activity helped us expose our students to STEM professionals that are not easily accessible and get first-hand experience in those careers. This is such an invaluable experience" states Mrs. Adero Carter, STEAM Coach, Stonewall Tell Elementary.

About [SEM Link ]:

Science, Engineering and Mathematics Link, Inc. (SEM Link), a tax-exempt national nonprofit organization, founded in 2005 by Ms. Tokiwa T. Smith in Atlanta, Georgia on the premise that exposure to members of the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) communities is critical to student achievement and career exploration in math and science.  Our two core programs, Experimental Design Program and Math and Science Career Academy, enhance the STEM educational experience for K-12 students by providing them with opportunities to engage in hands-on STEM activities, explore STEM careers and learn about real-world applications of STEM. Since our inception we have served thousands of youth in Atlanta, the San Francisco Bay Area and the DMV (DC, Maryland and Virginia). SEM Link currently offers programs in Atlanta and the DMV.  Like SEM Link on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/semlinkinc) and follow @semlink on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/semlink) or @semlink on Instagram (http://instagram.com/semlink). For more information about SEM Link visit our website at www.semsuccess.org or email us at info@semsuccess.org.

About AGU:
The American Geophysical Union (http://www.agu.org/) is dedicated to advancing the Earth and space sciences for the benefit of humanity through its scholarly publications, conferences, and outreach programs. AGU is a not-for-profit, professional, scientific organization representing more than 60,000 members in 139 countries. Join the conversation on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/AmericanGeophysicalUnion), Twitter (https://twitter.com/theAGU), LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/american-geophysical-union?trk=top_nav_home), YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/user/AGUvideos), and our other social media channels (http://about.agu.org/get-social/) and be sure to follow #AGU100.  To apply for a Celebrate 100 Grant, visit centennial.agu.org Contact agucentennial@agu.org with any questions.