We are PUDDLE PATROL!
Introductions:
(Left to Right) Karen, Ruhaan, Colin
Karen: Hello! I’m a second-year student majoring in Accounting. I’m from Reading, PA and I commute to campus. I am a cat mom to a 1-year-old girl calico!
Ruhaan: Hi, I am a Second Year Student intending to graduate in Finance.
Colin: Hey, I’m a second-year student and I am majoring in IST.
Our Research Issue:
Our research project focused on the widespread issue of microplastics, tiny plastic particles less than 5 millimeters in size that result from the breakdown of larger plastics. These particles are found globally, from the deepest ocean trenches to local waterways, including all 53 sampled streams in Pennsylvania. Microplastics pose significant risks to aquatic ecosystems, where they are ingested by marine life, and to human health, as they carry harmful toxins into the food chain. Their persistence in the environment highlights the urgent need for solutions to reduce their impact on water quality, biodiversity, and public health.
Our Service Project:
Our service project focused on creating a Qualtrics survey for the residents who use and live near Pendora Park to gather feedback on their experiences, concerns, and ideas for improvement. Drawing on Dr. Park-Martinez’s insights and our own observations of the park, we developed two versions of the survey to better understand its usage, frequency, and gather recommendations from the area’s diverse demographics. The surveys were made available in both English and Spanish, with identical structure and content to ensure consistent data collection. This feedback will help guide future improvements and ensure the park continues to meet the needs of the community.
Our Reflection:
Visiting Pendora Park, a lesser-known space in the area, was an insightful experience that showed us how the park is used and by whom, and allowed us to discover the park through this project. The EACAP for Pendora Park has been rewarding, but it’s just the beginning of what could be a transformative project for the park and the community. Our team worked hard to create a bilingual survey in English and Spanish to gather feedback from the diverse residents of Reading. Although we didn’t have the chance to complete the survey, this project has been a valuable learning experience, especially in connecting classroom knowledge with real-world community involvement.
The best part of this project was knowing that we are helping set the stage for future changes that will empower the community to take pride in their park. While we couldn’t finish the survey, designing it and learning how to frame questions to address community concerns was an important step. I hope the next team will continue this work by gathering and analyzing the survey responses. This feedback will help identify what the community values most and what improvements they want to see, such as updating the park’s amenities, beautifying the space, and creating more community events. This project is about more than just improving a physical space; it’s about creating a place that brings people together. Future teams and community members can build on this work to make Pendora Park a welcoming and vibrant place for everyone!