Become Part of the Environmental and Climate Justice Academy!

What Is ECJA?

The ECJ is a super cool, free grant-funded program just for middle and high school students that lasts all year! It's all about ECSI (Environmental Crime Scene Investigation), climate change, environmental science, and hands-on STEM projects at an urban farm. You’ll get to:

Ohio EPA Testing Kit

  • Conduct an ECSI (Environmental Crime Scene Investigation)

  • Create indoor and outdoor air quality, water potability, and soil sampling devices

  • Receive a complete Environmental Testing kit like the one to the left!

  • Discover awesome green job opportunities in our Community

  • Meet Ohio Department of Education STEM requirements by participating and completing the training!

  • Do you have questions?

Learn More About ECJA

Training Dates

  • September Cohort has been canceled.

  • October trainings will take place at Mezzacello Urban Farm on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, from 4:00 - 7:00 PM.

    There will be THREE Required Trainings offered twice a week.

    Air Quality Management and Data Entry Testing:

    • Tuesday, Oct 8 OR Wednesday, Oct 9.

    • Both are offered from 4:00 - 7:00 PM

    Water Quality Management and Data Entry Testing:

    • Tuesday, Oct 15 OR Wednesday, Oct 16.

    • Both are offered from 4:00 - 7:00 PM

    Soil Quality Management and Data Entry Testing:

    • Tuesday, Oct 22 OR Wednesday, Oct 23.

    • Both are offered from 4:00 - 7:00 PM

  • The Mentorship track is designed for both middle school or high school kids who are really interested in leadership.

    The ECJA encourages our young people to be curious and active scientists.

    The mentor ship track has specific requirements:

    • Complete all three Trainings (Air, Water, Soil)

    • Take an online course on the basics of data entry and database management via zoom

    • Test out of the Air, Water, Soil, and data testing with a score of mastery

    • Successful candidates will be eligible to teach the October cohort, and will be in line for internships as they arise

    • Be advised internship placement is subject to availability and in some cases age restrictions

    • If you think you'd make a good intern, Contact Jim Bruner at Mezzacello.org

  • The zoom Virtual Data Training will be held in November for both the September and October cohorts.

    This training is MANDATORY.

    It will be held on Tuesday, Nov 12 OR Wednesday, Nov 13

    Both sessions are virtual on zoom.

    Both sessions will be from 4:00 - 7:00

  • Each member of the cohorts is required to conduct a complete field study using their ECJA Crime Scene Investigation Kit.

    That data MUST be entered into the Airatble Database in order to qualify for certification and credits.

    Stay tuned for more details here!

Mezzacello Urban Farm

A 21st Century Urban Farm in the Heart of Downtown Columbus, OH

  • Mezzacello Urban Farm is located at 33 North 20th Street Columbus, OH 43203.

  • It is just off East Broad Street between the Columbus Museum of Art and Franklin Park Conservatory and Gardens

  • Mezzacello Urban Farm is accessible by COTA Bus lines 10 and 7.

ECJA October Cohort Dates

(Offered Tuesday or Wednesday)

We are offering a variety of flexible scheduling options. You can select All three sessions (AIR, WATER, SOIL) for October in one sign up, or you can select either a Tuesday or Wednesday date for each (AIR, WATER, SOIL).

Please note, there is also a MANDATORY virtual training via zoom in November.

ECJA October Cohort

ECJA November Data Cohort

 FAQs

  • Yes. This project is funded by a grant provided by Ohio EPA. In partnership with Ohio Sickle Cell Health Association, The Lance and Aileen Porter Foundation, Mezzacello Urban Farm, and Ohio Institute of Communities of Color.

  • Yes. The kit is part of the project. In the kit are sensors and tests for ascertaining the health and safety of the atmosphere (internal and external air), the potability and safety of water resources, and the basics of strong, healthy soil. Additionally there are lab testing kits and a portable battery as well as a backpack.

  • Middle School to High School - aged kids. The minimum age is 10 - or fifth grade.

  • In all, 20 spots. 10 for the September cohort, and 10 for the October Cohort.

  • Each cohort meets three times on a Tuesday and a Wednesday during the months of September and October. Mastery with each environmental testing tool and sensor MUST be shown. Students must also a ttend a data collection training session via zoom. Finally, in March, 2025, students will be asked to provide a complete Environmental Crime Scene Assesment in the field. When that data is submitted and reviewed, Certification will be issued.

  • When mastery has been shown and the field site data is complete, the STEM Credits will transfer to the students.

  • Yes. The September and October cohorts are unique. That is why we are offering two days after school each week in both September and October. Failure to attend will result in a cancellation of the certificate and STEM credit.

  • Yes, but only in each month. September cohort cannot complete their training in October. November data collection training is MANDATORY and online. The field ECSI data is also mandatory.

  • Your child must complete all three trainings in the September cohort, and take an exam showing basic mastery of each sensor and protocol. Your child will then become eligible to work as an intern or mentor in October.

  • Yes.

  • 33 North 20th Street, Columbus, OH 43203

    Mezzacello is just off East Broad Street between the Columbus Museum of Art an Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.

    Mezzacello Urban Farm is also on the COTA #10 and #7 Bus routes.

  • See the link below. Choose a cohort and fill in the required data. You will receive an email when the cohort begins and then your child just needs to be at Mezzacello at the designated time.