Posted: March 18, 2024
The Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Susquehanna County teach students to practice poison prevention throughout the year and participate in National Poison Prevention Week during March.
Mr. Yuk stickers. Photo credit: Melissa Wright
In partnership with Penn State Extension's Pesticide Education Program, Master Gardeners statewide visit first-grade classrooms to teach an important lesson to mitigate the risk of childhood poisoning.
Master Gardener volunteers Nancy Burkett, Louise Guszick, Catherine Herne, Maureen Hoover, and Carol MacNamara delivered the Mr. Yuk Poison Prevention Program to 470 first-grade students in Susquehanna County during February and March. The Master Gardeners visited each of the county's seven public elementary schools, one private school, and one homeschool cooperative. The 30-minute lesson instructed the students about pests, integrated pest management, poison safety, and signal words "caution," "warning," and "danger." Each student was provided a Mr. Yuk take-home packet to share with a caretaker. The packets included a letter to caretakers, an activity sheet, and Mr. Yuk stickers to use at home.
