Research:
For our research, we decided to look at the issue of Food Waste Impact on Climate Change and Greenhouse Gases at the State level. We identified that the transportation and disposal of food are primary issues that lead to higher levels of greenhouse gases. All levels of our food chain from primary production to the consumer are flawed with differentiating levels of food waste resulting in carbon emissions. Transportation and landfills are the largest percentages of food waste state-wide. As a team, we were able to investigate and discover possible solutions to this environmental issue. Please view our presentation to learn more
Service:
We intended to perform community service for Glenside Elementary School. However, due to some complications, the project was switched to SouthWest Middle School in Reading PA. The service we provided took place in the school’s courtyard. There they had garden beds and potted plants for students to learn about nature and take part in activities. Our time was dedicated to cleaning up and adding new features to the courtyard. This was to help enable the students to have a better learning environment. It was dirty work but we felt it was worth the cause as in order to spread awareness for environmental science. We need to provide greater influence to the younger generations.
Summary/ Reflection:
The EACAP project was an eye-opening experience. Not only does this project allow students to work as a team, but we also get the privilege to collaborate with schools from other countries. PSU Berks partnered with MSU to create new experiences, but to also use our skills of teamwork, time management, communication skills, etc. to complete this project. Alongside working with the MSU team from Russia, we got to help our community by giving our services to them. We partnered with Southwest Middle School, located in the city of Reading. As a team, we were excited to see the progress we’d been making every time we went to the school to help them with their garden. Out in the courtyard where the garden is located, there were tasks of cleaning the flowerbeds and putting in new, clean soil for the summer so new flowers and other plants can successfully grow. Leaves, rocks, and other unnecessary rubbish were piled up to then be thrown away. We were fulfilled to know that we helped in some way. We realized our duties took some stress off the janitors when we cleaned outside the school to make it look presentable, but we also made it fun and educational for the children to look at something they can take pride in because it is a part of their school.
In this, our team gained knowledge of what it’s like to be tasked with something so rewarding. Community service is time-filling, but it is something to take pride in. Our team had a great time in the garden and making it look presentable. Gardening is a lot of work and it does take a lot of teamwork for some things to get done, which is why this project was so appreciable for us as a team.
Collaborating with a team from another country does come with some challenges, but with those challenges come learning experiences. Our team learned how to navigate inconveniences with the use of technology or the time change for a different country. But, this was also a learning experience for both teams involved. We also gained knowledge from each other because of the difference in where we come from.
We hope others can step forward into community service and help their community because it is rewarding to know that we made someone’s day better, or an organization and be proud of what they have to offer. There is a stereotype of the word “community service”. A lot of people think it is work, and even though it is, there are still a lot of fun parts about the service that people miss viewing. Whenever there’s a chance to get involved, people of the community should step forth and be proud to serve. In this case, The Southwest Middle School can now have their students learn about the environmental aspect of the world and enjoy their garden. The children can take an interest and hopefully spark a new generation of scientists!
