Kate Chilson ’07 wants you to take a hike. Literally. The Environmental Policy and Science and Philosophy double major did just that one snowy January morning with a group of 25 kindergarteners from The Green School of Baltimore. She watched intently as they played in the snow, picked up leaves and talked about their surroundings.

“These kids are learning how things affect the environment,” says Chilson of her experience in Baltimore. “Young people want to learn about the world around them.”

The hike and observations are part of Chilson’s senior Capstone project, in which she compares environmental education in elementary schools and nature centers in Baltimore; Lake Placid, N.Y. and Austin, Texas. The cities and programs were chosen because of their focus on environmental education.

This May Chilson, Michelle Mullen ’07 and Anna Kulow ’07 will become the first students to graduate with the Environmental Policy and Science major, established in 2005.

For her Capstone, Kulow ’07 is examining how endocrine disruptors, chemicals found in low doses in the water that have been found to alter the sex of fish, impact the behavior of beta fish.

Mullen is measuring the transfer of carbon dioxide from the soil to the atmosphere. She is examining how adding nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorous affect that amount.

 “I've really enjoyed the courses that have been offered for the major such as Environmental Chemistry and Conservation Biology, because they allowed us to get into the field for laboratory work,” says Mullen.

Through her Capstone, Mullen hopes to show how the addition of nutrients to the soil increases the release of carbon dioxide from the soil. Meanwhile, Chilson is planning to use her fieldwork to develop an environmental curriculum for elementary students.

“Kate is concerned that once students start college, it is too late for them to change their beliefs and habits about the environment,” says Kevin Harrison, assistant professor of Environmental Policy and Science. “But if they can get interested earlier, that interest will compound over time.”

After graduation, Chilson plans to volunteer in South Africa and is interested in finding a graduate school with projects in environmental sustainability. Mullen, who is also looking at graduate opportunities, hopes to work in environmental consulting or at a state agency like the Maryland Department of Natural Resources or Department of the Environment. Kulow also intends to consult in the area of environmental policy.