Students Investigating Exposure to Wireless Radiation in School

Like most of us, students at Dearcroft/West Wind Montessori School are being exposed to wireless radiation, and they want to know how it is affecting them.

Grade seven and eight students from the Oakville Montessori School are leading a project to learn about wireless radiation from everyday devices, such as smartphones and laptops. Students conducted an investigation of their school, measuring the amount of radiation that they are typically exposed to on a daily basis. Students and teachers are working with members of a local community group, Citizens 4 Safe Technology (C4ST), to develop a plan to reduce their exposure to harmful wireless radiation.

To see the effects of devices in their own school, Dearcroft/West Wind Montessori students used hand-held radiation detection meters to investigate where radiation was strongest in their school. With an EMR technician on hand leading the exercise, students and staff alike were shocked to learn that their everyday devices like computers, cell phones, televisions, and even Wi-Fi internet, expose them to wireless radiation emissions. Jay G., one of the students at the presentation, said he found it was “quite surprising about the radiation levels and how they can come from everyday devices.” Another student, Rory G., remarked that it was interesting how he was one of only four students in the class of seventeen who didn’t own cell phones.

In addition to helping with the investigation, C4ST was on hand to further educate Dearcroft/West Wind students about the risks of excess exposure to wireless radiation. Today’s presenter, Rob Metzinger, President of Safe Living Technologies, Inc., said: “Those of us who are adults went half our lives with little wireless exposure – children will have higher exposure in these modern times. Never before has a generation inherited a world where exposure to radiation is so prolific and pervasive.”

Dearcroft/West Wind students will also tour their neighborhood to measure radiation from cell towers. Students will then put together a plan to reduce their exposure to radiation in their school and their community. Gord Phippen, Director of Dearcroft/West Wind Montessori Schools said: “We are pleased to be learning along with the students about the inherent safety issues of cellular technology and environmental exposure to wireless radiation. We look forward to taking steps to reduce voluntary exposure in our daily lives.”

 

C4ST is a not-for-profit, volunteer-based organization that is concerned about the health and safety risks of wireless radiation. Its coalition, led by a team of citizens, parents and experts, seeks to educate and inform Canadians about the danger of exposure to unsafe levels of radiation from technology. C4ST’s objective is to work with all levels of government to create healthier communities for children and families from coast to coast.

Celebrating its 15th year, Dearcroft/West Wind Montessori School is a two-year model that prepares students for success in high school and the world beyond. Inspired by the life work of Maria Montessori, the program provides an integrated, experience-based curriculum intended to stimulate students’ minds. While drawing on diverse educational experiences, the program also meets or exceeds the key expectations of the Ontario Government Curriculum Outline for grade seven and eight, with emphasis on preparation for high school. Collaborative and motivated, students emerge from West Wind Junior High with a strong academic foundation and a genuine strength of character.