UTAH AIR QUALITY THE TOPIC AT A POPULAR
STATEWIDE EDUCATIONAL
CONFERENCE
SALT LAKE CITY (January 24, 2008) -
Close to 500 Utah teachers and students from grades four through nine will
meet at Mt. Jordan Middle School in Sandy, Utah this Saturday,
January 26th, 2008
to learn about air quality from various experts. The participants in this year's
conference represent a portion of the anticipated 9,000 or more students preparing
to research this year's debate resolutions, which are as follows:
Policy Resolution
“ Resolved: THAT THE STATE OF UTAH SHOULD ESTABLISH A PROGRAM TO
SUBSTANTIALLY
IMPROVE ITS AIR QUALITY.”
Lincoln-Douglas Resolutions
“ Resolved: THAT THE IMPROVEMENT OF UTAH AIR QUALITY MUST TAKE
PRIORITY
OVER PERSONAL CONCERNS.”
The half day conference features Jodi Saeland, Meteorologist, KSTU Fox 13
News, as Keynote Speaker and a mock debate performed by Morningside Elementary
Students in the general session. Students and teachers then visit breakout
sessions and booths that include representatives from Utah Division of Air
Quality, The University of Utah, Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment,
Lehi High School, Utah Moms For Clean Air, The Institute for Clean and Secure
Energy, Utah State University, Utah Chapter Sierra Club, Wasatch Front Regional
Council, National Energy Foundation, Western Resource Advocates, SLC Corporation,
Utah Transit Authority, Questar Gas, Utah Clean Cities, Kennecott Companies,
Utah Department of Environmental Quality, Utah State Parks and Recreation,
Utah Department of Health and Rocky Mountain Power.
Participants in Saturday's conference will take information obtained at this
conference and share with other student debaters in their respective schools
as they prepare their arguments in support of their position on the debate
resolutions. The debaters will participate in competitions within their schools,
districts and finally at an April 2003 State Debate Competition.
The Utah Debate Program is in its 18th consecutive year under the leadership
of the National Energy Foundation. Students along the Wasatch Front, from Davis
to Washington County, and also from Tooele to Park City will be researching
the air quality situation in Utah. The program is a voluntary curriculum tool,
which provides another outstanding avenue in which students may develop their
thinking, reading, writing, listening, decision-making and public speaking
skills.
National Energy Foundation is a unique 501
(c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and cultivating
an energy literate society through educational programs. NEF
recognizes the importance and contribution of natural resources
to our economy, national security, environment and quality
of life. Visit www.nef1.org to
find out more about NEF.
