With all the talk about American teens lagging behind their international peers regarding knowledge of science and technology, the Garden City-based Cradle of Aviation has addressed this intellectual gap by hosting Green Teens, a hands-on science camp the past six summers that teaches high school students about myriad environmental topics. Thanks in part to a $150,000 grant from National Grid, the museum has become a certified Nature Explore Classroom and among the subjects these eco-warriors in training have learned about are hydropower and conservation. Groups are small and run to about 10 in number with 10-minute one-on-one instruction being the method of choice. The manner in which this knowledge is conveyed varies. It goes from simple and straightforward instruction to using crafts to get a point across. By taking these complex topics and breaking them down in a manner that makes them more easily understood, not only are these teen science lovers leveling the intellectual playing field with kids in other countries, but raising awareness about climate change, arguably one of the most controversial and important global issues of the day.
— Dave Gil de Rubio
