Tuesday, April 30, 2002

UNCW Unveils Educator’s Resource Web Site on Smart Growth



WILMINGTON, NC – UNCW and John T. Hoggard High School today unveiled an educational Web site that is a supplement to the television documentary Paving the American Dream: Southern Cities Shores & Sprawl.

Paving the American Dream: Southern Cities Shores & Sprawl is a production of UNCW that aired on public television stations in North and South Carolina last year. It explores issues and possible solutions to traffic congestion, water quality, air pollution, green space depletion, urban sprawl and diminishing quality of life from Maryland to Florida.

The site, www.uncwil.edu/smartgrowth, was designed and developed as a resource tool to engage students in hands-on activities that enhance their understanding of the environmental impact issues and human values that will drive smart growth throughout the Southeast in the next 10 to 25 years. The site is full of learning activities geared for students in grades six through twelve, a time during students’ lives when their curriculum includes the study of environmental sciences and related subjects. The Web site engages students in hands-on exploration and activities that further their understanding of both the natural systems and human history of the industrialization and development of southern cities, suburbs, industrial centers and coastal areas.

The Web site was designed for UNCW by Michelle Conger, education coordinator, and Kathy O'Rourke, designer, with assistance from educational professionals, Suzanne Micallef, Hoggard High School English teacher, and Kristen Miller, North Carolina special educator.

Representing UNCW at the web site unveiling were Chancellor James R. Leutze; Elaine Penn, director of special projects and executive producer of the documentary; and Barbie Cowan, research coordinator for special projects. Also attending were representatives from the documentary title sponsors: Weyerhaeuser Company Foundation, Sprint PCS, and Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort at Wrightsville Beach.

For additional information, contact Elaine Penn at 910/962-2657.