ToxRAP Network

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ToxRAP Network: Toxicology, Risk Assessment, & Pollution
(K-9 teachers)

What is ToxRAP? ToxRAP is an innovative, hands-on curriculum series designed to teach students in grades K-9 how to evaluate an environmental health problem. It uses a framework that draws upon concepts from toxicology, environmental health risk assessment and risk management. ToxRAP is divided into three modules, each centered around a case study adapted from real-life situations. In each module, students role play environmental scientists and are introduced to careers in toxicology, epidemiology, industrial hygiene and medicine. Through age-appropriate, hands-on, investigative science and math activities, students learn to recognize, evaluate and, when necessary, control contaminants.	For more information on ToxRAP visit their homepage. Teacher Development Program By the Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute at The State University of New Jersey Rutgers ToxRAP - EOHSI Programs
	The Case of the Green Feathers (Grades K-3) Students use the ToxRAP Framework and Map to explain how natural air contaminants, such as pollen, can cause allergic and asthmatic reactions. Students read an illustrated oversized children's book that tells the story of Chick Chock, a baby chick who awakens from a nap sneezing and covered with green dust. What is Wrong with the Johnson Family? (Grades 3-6) Students become environmental health scientists and use the ToxRAP Framework and Map to conduct an investigation into the Johnson family's unexplained health problems. Activities and games help students to solve the mystery -- carbon monoxide is leaking from a furnace that has a blocked chimney. Mystery Illness Strikes the Sanchez Household (Grades 6-9) Students assume the role of environmental health scientists to help the Sanchez family discover the cause of their health problems. A simulated health hazard investigation following the ToxRAP Framework and Map guides students to an explanation -- lead-based paint dust was released during renovation work.

As a result using ToxRAP, students are able to describe the impact that environmental hazards have on human health and experience first-hand the processes and tools scientists use to solve environmental problems. The skills gained using ToxRAP are readily transferable to other critical environmental health issues.
The curriculum series is indexed to the national science standards and is being adopted in schools nationwide. ToxRAP received a 1997 National Environmental Education Achievement Award from the National Environmental Education and Training Foundation (NEETF).
In August 2000, we completed the 4-year ToxRAP Network. Through this partnership over 730 teachers in 27 school districts/organizations in 11 states were trained to use the ToxRAP (Toxicology, Risk Assessment, & Pollution) curriculum.	Developed in conjunction with the Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute (EOHSI) at the State University of New Jersey. The network is continuing through the EH-STEP program.

SWEHSC Center for Toxicology University of Arizona TOP

Southwest Environmental Health Sciences Center University of Arizona College of Pharmacy, Room 244 PO Box 210207, Tucson, AZ, USA 85721-0207 swehsc-info@pharmacy.arizona.edu 520-626-5594 520-626-6944(FAX)	*Funded by NIEHS grant # ES06694*

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