Team Introduction
We are the Green Team, we are three Penn State Berks students in Environmental Science. Our project was located at glenside elementary school. We worked outside of the school on the gardens and flower beds. Our main goal was to clean up all of the trash and dead plants, and then plant new flowers for the school. We wanted to make sure that the school had a nice look on the outside for when they reopen it after the construction was done. Our group members were Ethan (Left ), a freshman majoring in Business. Scott (Middle) a freshman majoring in education. Dalton (Right) a freshman majoring in finance. Together the green team is looking to improve the earth one step at a time.
Green Team Service
For our service project, we assisted in the transformation of Glenside Elementary School. In order to get an idea of how we could help, we first met with Mrs. Fisher toured the property with a focus on how we could improve the landscaping. We looked at the flowerbeds, garden area, and looked to restore the scenery around a previously painted memorial. With Dalton’s previous experience working as a landscaper, we were able to identify what needed to be done in order to get started. Once we began, we realized this project was going to be more work than we thought. Over the winter, the harsh conditions stripped away any previous greenery, and months of a lack of maintenance led to a trash buildup which needed to be taken care of. We pulled weeds and trimmed back the remains of dead bushes. We raked out the garden area and tried to clean it up the best we could. We ended up collecting a lot of trash that was more than likely caused by the construction going on at the school. We improved the garden by planting flowers out by the front of the school. The school was nice enough to buy us the flowers and supplies we needed for this project. They purchased around 32 pansies for us to use. They also allowed us access to the tools and garden equipment in their shed which was greatly appreciated. Over all the project went really well and we are very thankful that the school helped us out a provided the supplies we needed.
Secondary Research Conducted
Our group performed research on the effects of nuclear fall out. Although our research did not have a lot to do with our actual project it was still very interesting to learn. We researched in general what fallout is and found that it is the radioactive particles that are in the earth’s atmosphere and on the earth’s surface after the explosion. The effects that this radiation can cause on the environment as well as the life in it is devastating. The effects to humans include radiation sickness and burns which can kill in a short period of time. The main longer lasting effect is a major increased risk of cancer. There are two main causes of fallout that can occur. This includes the detonation of a nuclear weapon or a nuclear reactor meltdown. The world saw examples of each of these and how its effects were felt for years after. In August of 1945, two nuclear bombs were dropped on Japan in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Those two bombs alone killed almost 200,000 people, now that technology has increased since then there is no telling how much worse it would be now. We also saw what happens when a power plant melts down. In April of 1986 a power plant called Chernobyl in Ukraine melted down. Many people died from the explosion but many more were killed by the effects that the radiation had on the first responders who were attempting to put out the fire. A large area surrounding the melted down plant is still deemed uninhabitable to this day. Overall we learned how dangerous nuclear fall out is and that it should be prevented at all costs.
Service video
Brochure 
Team reflection
Our group was very appreciative for the opportunity that Dr Kazempour and Mrs Fisher presented us with. It was nice to have this opportunity to give back to the community that we live in and make up for the stress we put on our environment. Overall the project was very fun and we were happy to get the type of project that fitted us best. We all enjoyed being in the outdoors and putting in some physical work which made the project very enjoyable. We all learned a lot and were happy to give back while learning as well.