The Problem
Venomous snakebite, especially among children is a serious problem in the Southwest United States. Between 5,000-9,000 envenomations occur annually, with a significant number of these medical emergencies involving children. Through educational programs with school-aged children, our goal is to mitigate the number of these snakebites by equipping children with not only snake awareness, but also how their own actions can protect themselves against these unfortunate events.
Our Plan
Our project will involve educational talks concerning “commonly encountered snakes of Texas and their ecological role and personal safety measures”. With our final target behavior being, “If you find a snake, keep a safe distance from it”. We will further reinforce the message with a fun and interactive activity. Along with the educational program itself, we plan to create a takeaway item, in this case a sticker with the slogan “I’m Safe To Stay- 3 Steps Away” as a reminder to not only protect themselves but to also empower the kids to spread this message to other children and families. In closing, the participants will be invited to sign a take home pledge to confirm their commitment.