OHIO graduate’s book on environmental stewardship available in STEM Academy Lesson

Protecting the environment isn’t exactly child’s play, but an OHIO graduate and celebrated children’s literature author has taken a unique approach to helping youth understand the importance of preserving nature for themselves and generations to come.

Artie Knapp, whose resume includes more than 40 published books, videos, stories and poems, has teamed up with the George V. Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service by offering the use of one of his stories for faculty to incorporate into STEM programming for younger students.

In “Thurman Goes Green: A Turtle's Guide to a Cleaner Planet,” the title character takes it upon himself to tackle litter prevention with the help of area students after downstream trash spoils his sister’s wedding. The original edition was a shortlist finalist for the Green Earth Award.

“Dumping garbage where they didn’t live was bad enough, but Thurman was surprised to see people living in it,” an excerpt from the book reads. “There was garbage in their water. It littered the streets where they drove their automobiles and it was even where children played.”

Thurman, whose head gets stuck in a bottle, is rescued by the students, who get a lesson on the dangers of litter and other pollution.

Knapp’s goal was to partner with OHIO by using Thurman's story to reach kids on the importance of anti-littering and environmentalism.

That goal was realized when the story was included in the kindergarten-grade 4 resources offered through the Appalachian STEM Enrichment Academy (ASEA). The story is available for download in the Explain section of the Intro to Sustainability K-4 lesson.

“By offering the story digitally to schools for free, as well as using Thurman as an environmental ambassador, I believe this will be a great way to connect with kids on important issues,” Knapp said.

OHIO’s ASEA team developed the plan to incorporate a read-aloud section in the new lesson. “Thurman Goes Green,” is now an option for learners to choose as an activity from the interactive elements of the lesson.

“The student-led and staff-assisted development of the Introduction to Sustainability lessons were an educational component of the Appalachian Ohio Climate Literacy Network project, which was supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency," said Nicole Kirchner, senior project manager at the Voinovich School.

“’Thurman Goes Green,’ enhances both the environmental and literacy elements of the K-4 ASEA lesson. The addition of this thoughtful digital story allows ASEA to provide greater access to online resources for young readers, which significantly decreased after COVID-19,” Kirchner said.

Knapp is a 2004 graduate from OHIO and a proud second-generation Bobcat, having followed in the footsteps of his father Dean (Class of 1972).