Marco Hanna, 11, focused his climate change research on deforestation, noting that one of the biggest causes of forest loss is agriculture. In regions like the Amazon rain forest, small farmers burn trees to clear patches where they can work the land. Forest burning is doubly bad for the Earth. First, forest fires send copious amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. At the same time, there are fewer trees to suck carbon out of the air and replace it with oxygen.

In addition, Marco pointed out, “Without trees, the animals have no habitat to live.” Nearly 140 species go extinct each day, he explained. “That’s 50,000 a year,” he said, a tinge of astonishment in his voice.

Lisa Jose and Jadyn Hakin, both 11, created what they called the “Skeptics Board,” a display to counter the arguments of the so-called “climate skeptics,” those who say climate change isn’t real or that it’s caused not by human activities but by the planet’s natural warming and cooling cycles.

“People say it’s a hoax. It’s real,” insisted Jadyn. “The hottest day today is going to be the coldest day in 50 years.”

Matthew Rockensies, 12, focused his exhibit on solutions to reduce deforestation:
n Substitute a dry erase board for a piece of paper, an e-book for a book.
n Many conservationists concerned with deforestation suggest that bamboo is an excellent substitute for trees.
n And so on.

North Merrick Superintendent David Feller stopped by the museum and had high praise for Leavin and her work with the WINGS program. “Talk about someone who is passionate about what she does,” he said.

“It’s one of the greatest joys of my life to work with these kids,” said Leavin, smiling.