Category Archives: Fall 2023 Project Teams

No comments

The Go Go Girls & Birdhouses!

  By Dahlya Livingston • November 29, 2023 , ,

Introduction:

Hi, I am Nathalie Del Rosario. I am a first year student. My major is Criminal Justice and I want to be a detective. My favorite color is blue. I am from New York City. 10 years from now I see myself with my dream job and having my own house traveling. Hi, I am Dahlya Livingston. My favorite color is blue. My major is middle level education. I Am from Atlanta, Georgia. In 10 years I see myself being a principal of a Middle School. Hi, My name is Nakiyah White. I am a 3rd year student studying Psychology. I am from Philadelphia, PA, I love to travel. In 10 years I see myself rich and in my #1 dream car. We Work with Northeast middle school. 

Research: 

The research topic that we are exploring as a group is land pollution. Land pollution is the destruction or a decline in the quality of the earth’s surface as a result of human actions.

Service:

In order to support our research topic we have teamed up with Northeast Middle School to create a learning space for the young growing minds. During our service component we have power washed and weeded the surrounding areas. Painted different beautiful bird houses, also painted a bird tray and provided bird seeds inside the bird tray. This will be beneficial to the students at Northeast Middle School, students get a closer look to wildlife behavior. While also seeing how human causes have consequences to wildlife.

Click HERE view our video!

 

 

 

 

No comments

Team TMNT & Turtle Rescue

  By jjb7077 • November 29, 2023 , ,

Hi we are team TMNT! Our team consists of Jamaal Bokhari, Diana Pon, Krish Bhandary, and Willie Wilson. We are here to help save turtles by building an inexpensive worm farm to feed off of. 

Team Introductions

Hi we are TMNT and we are very excited to share with you what we as a group worked on all semester. Here’s a little bit more about our group members:

Hi, my name is Jamaal, I am a senior currently studying cyber security. My interests are basketball and listening to music. I was the team liaison in this project. 

Hi, my name is Diana and I am a sophomore majoring in finance and play soccer as well as work at cyber cafe.

Hi, my name is Krish, I am a sophomore studying actuarial science, and I lift weights and play the guitar. I like turtles.

Hi, my name is Willie and I am a sophomore majoring in film production. I come from Philadelphia. 

Research Description

The research issue we chose was the decline of turtle populations worldwide due to

unsustainable hunting practices and pollution devastating the ocean. We were looking at the 

Human impact on turtles and the consequences posed by continuing with the same trajectory 

in terms of total turtle populations left.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGRVrEHjLaE

Service Description

We first got a rough idea of a worm farm before getting a tour and layout of Rock Hollow to see what we need to adjust and fix. Most of our pictures consist of the turtle enclosure and the spot we intended to put the worm farm. This allowed us to visualize what the inexpensive, yet effective worm farm will look like in the end. Also in the pictures, we have used many supplies including two plastic bins for the foundation of the worm farm. The first bin is used as the housing for the worms as it includes the dirt, newspaper, and cardboard which make up the bedding for the worms. The second bin is for the worms as well, but is used for drainage instead. Once the worms are done housing themselves in the first bin, they will move to the second bin where there will be the bedding as well. The lid will be there as well including holes for the worms to breathe.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7KfO58jbM4

Reflection

The EACAP project as a whole was very informative and allowed us as a group to see the world through a different lens. One of the components we gained from doing this project is awareness. I have become more aware of preserving areas where there would be wildlife depending on it. Worms are given an area where it is safe for them to live and eat their food while having sun and water available to them. Another component we learned as a group from doing this project was sustainability. Sustainability means keeping our environment clean and avoiding littering. Often, people do not think about marine life, but it affects mammals when you litter in their ocean. Turtles, for example, are already a dying species so littering in the ocean and contributing to toxic and unhealthy ocean life is not good. We as a group learned this and will continue to practice this going forward by doing simple things like recycling and avoiding littering. Our message to youths and individuals globally is to treat your environment, the way you would want to be treated. Treat it with care and purpose and make the world a better place. 

Poster session

Additional Pictures

No comments

The Blue Marsh Boys take on Invasive Species!

  By Jayden Meincke-stoltzfus • October 23, 2023 , ,

The Blue Marsh Boys 

Members (left to right): 

Peter Myers (Sophomore, IST Major)

Jayden Meincke-Stoltzfus (Sophomore, CAS Major)

Jase Graybill (Senior, Criminal Justice Major)

Omar Youssef (Senior, Cyber Security Major)

Service: 

Our team worked with Blue Marsh Lake, northwest of Reading PA to spread awareness on the invasive species that inhabit and are damaging the area. The several invasive species found at Blue Marsh create a complex problem, not only for the ecosystem and its native species, but also for the team there that expends copious time and resources into their removal. This negates the park’s ability to put their energy towards improving the park and recreation there as well as fostering healthy habitats for Pennsylvania’s natural species.

The four species we decided to focus on were the Multiflora Rose, the Amur Honeysuckle, the Eurasian Watermilfoil and the Rusty Crayfish.

Research: 

For the research portion of our EACAP project, our team decided to veer away and choose a completely different topic then we had for our service. We took an immediate interest in the nuclear weapons topic and therefore, decided to research that. In our research we learned about the various ways that nuclear weapons can cause environmental degradation, even if they are not detonated. Things like nuclear weapon production as well as dissolution and dismantling of nuclear facilities all contribute to released radioactivity. In this video we summarize the problem of nuclear weapons, describe their effects on the environment, and finally pose some solutions for dealing with their usage.

Watch our narrated research presentation by clicking on the image below!

Poster Session:

On November 29th, 2023 our team presented our research and service alongside our classmates in the MPR2 in the Perkins building. We had a great time presenting our info, urging other to take preventative action against invasive species, and looking at our classmates’ projects as well!

Reflection:

We were happy to work with Blue Marsh to spread awareness about some of the local invasive species that are wreaking havoc on native ecosystems. Our team had a great time touring the park and researching both the invasive species and our research topic of nuclear weapons. We hope our work will inspire other to take preventative action against dangerous invasive species!

No comments

Team Climate Crusaders Aims to Eliminate Plastic Pollution

Link

  By ess5537 • October 16, 2023

Welcome to our EACAP Project!

Hello everyone, We are the Climate Crusaders! Our team members include Shay Miller, Eli Segal, Caroline Martinez, and Nick Schafer. We are currently working with Blue Marsh Lake to minimize plastic pollution. 

Eli Segal: Hey! Welcome to our project, I am a second year at Penn State Berks and I am majoring in Finance. I am looking forward to helping our environment and I think it is important to ensure that the world remains clean for future generations. 

Shay Miller: I am a sophomore, majoring in Agriculture Sciences. For my future career, I hope to become an Agriculture Educator.

Caroline Martinez: I’m a freshman, from New Jersey, majoring in Risk Management. This project is helping me further my knowledge on the plastic pollution issue we face.

Nick: Hello, this is my second semester at berks, I’m a business administration major hoping to also minor in communications. This project has really shown me how much people don’t care about the environment and how much trash people just leave around.

What is the issue?

Our research was focused around plastic pollution. It’s found throughout oceans, lakes, rivers, soils and sediments, even in the atmosphere. The production of plastic is only increasing, meaning the non biodegradable plastic is going to continue to pile up. This issue will eventually outweigh all fish in the sea. It threatens human health and results in a myriad of hidden costs for the economy. It alters habitats and natural processes, it even reduces the ecosystems ability to adapt to climate change. Therefore, something has to been done to combat this terrible issue.

CLICK OUR VIDEO LINK: Research Video Link

 

Our Service

To combat this terrible issue, we chose shoreline and roadway cleanup along Blue Marsh Lake and surrounding roads for our service ours. During our 8+ hours of service, we aimed to fill garbage bags with various trash items and clean parking areas, roadways, shorelines, and trails. As a result of our efforts, we collected over 120 pounds of trash. 

 

CLICK OUR VIDEO LINK: Service Video Link

 

Reflection

Participating in the Blue Marsh Lake Shoreline and Roadway Cleanup EACAP project focused on tackling plastic pollution. Cleaning up trash has been an eye-opening and impactful experience. Working collaboratively to clean up areas littered with trash not only highlighted the alarming extent of plastic pollution but also instilled a sense of responsibility and urgency within our team. Witnessing the detrimental effects of plastic waste on our ecosystems firsthand has strengthened our resolve to advocate for sustainable practices and raise awareness about the pressing need for reducing, reusing, and recycling. It has become increasingly evident that collective efforts are imperative to curb plastic pollution and preserve our planet’s fragile ecosystems for future generations. This project has inspired us to continue advocating for environmentally conscious choices and to play an active role in combating plastic pollution for a cleaner and healthier environment.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR BLUE MARSH INFOGRAPHIC: Blue Marsh Infographic

Pictures!

 

No comments

GREEN BEANS TO THE RESCURE OF THE ENVIRONMENT!!!

  By Matias Lozada • October 16, 2023 ,

The Green Beans

ABOUT US

Matias – Born in Puerto Rico, but raised in Lima, Peru, I am a sophomore at Penn State Berks majoring in Management. 

Joey – I am from Long Island, New York, and I am in my sophomore year at Penn State Berks, majoring in Supply chain management.

Tifany – Originally from Long Island, NY, but moved to PA four years ago. I am a sophomore at Penn State Berks and majoring in Business. Team Liaison.

Pedro –  Born in the Dominican Republic, but have lived in PA for 10+ years. I am a junior at Penn State Berks majoring in Criminal Justice.  

Research/Narrated Presentation

Our team has been dedicated to the research of microplastics and pollution in the water. We focused on the main causes of this issue, as well as the consequences on the environment that it had. Lastly, solutions were proposed in order to tackle this problem and hopefully build a healthier environment and water.

In addition, we found out that our topic and focused research involved the following Sustainable Development Goals:

  • 3 Good Health and Well-Being
  • 6 Clean Water and Sanitation
  • 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • 12 Responsible Consumption and Production
  • 14 Life Below Water

Service

The Green Beans worked alongside Berks Nature to help the environment in every way possible. We first went and planted trees in the Cacoosing Creek. Later, we did some water quality testing in the Rock Hollow Woods, where we tested the water’s pH, nitrogen, and minerals. We found out that the water had a great quality and that was one of the main reasons why we saw marine life and organisms living around the area.

Reflection

We are grateful to work alongside Berks Nature to try and solve this problem that is affecting us in many different ways. Even though we’ve done our part for just four months, we still recognize that there is a lot to be done. We encourage everyone to try and help us to eradicate the issue of microplastics and pollution in water. It was really an eye-opening experience for the Green Beans and we’ve promised ourselves to not stop here because more work needs to be done, and we will continue to do so until we’ve made a significant change.

                         
No comments

Team Anti-Pollution Creates a Berks Nature Video!

  By cmf6391 • October 16, 2023 , ,

Hello everyone, we are Team Anti-Pollution!

Left to Right: Sophia, Andrew, Jason, Cullen

Introduction

Our team members are Sophia, a senior majoring in Elementary and Childhood Education; Cullen, a sophomore majoring in Marketing; Jason, and Andrew.

We are all very passionate about conservation and wanted to take the opportunity to educate others about environmental stewardship, so we jumped at the opportunity to work with Berks Nature to produce some insightful videos and slides for their half-decade assessment of the environmental health within Berks County. 

Research Component

Deforestation applies to SDG 1, 9, 12, 13, and 15

For our research project, we chose to investigate deforestation. We explored many aspects of the issue such as where deforestation occurs, its roots that lie in increasing consumerism, its perpetration by foreign businesses, and what we can do as citizens to help reduce or eliminate the increasingly common problem.

To learn more, click the image below:

Service Component

As mentioned previously, we had the privilege of working with Berks Nature to create pieces of media to inform the citizens of Berks County about responsible personal vehicle use and provide information about public transportation options for those that felt inspired or convinced to curb their own personal vehicle use. These videos followed the findings of Berks Nature’s “State of the Environment” report that revealed Berks residents utilize public transportation resources less than other PA counties.

To view our video, click the image below!

To view our interview with a representative of Commuter PA and learn more about the services they provide, click the image below!

Reflection

Overall, our EACAP Project was a very enriching and educational experience for our team. It was such a gratifying opportunity to be able to put something out into the community that has the chance to make a material difference in Berks’ environmental health. Additionally, we learned a lot about the resources available to the public that promote green or public transportation, the dangers and consequences of excessive consumption, as well as learning how to maintain relations with entities and people outside of the school community and the positive impacts that volunteering time in a community can have. We had such a great time working with our organization and on our research this fall, but we wouldn’t want our efforts to go to waste. That’s why Team Anti-Pollution encourages you to forgo convenience for an upcoming trip and consider trying public transportation, or if you value the privacy and convenience of operating your own vehicle, try biking to cover short distances or organize carpools with others traveling to the same location!

 

Progress Pictures

 

 

No comments

Flower Power- Enhancing different water qualities

  By gyc5148 • October 16, 2023 ,

Berks Nature: Water Testing – Flower Power

Team Liaison: Nive Anand; Team Leader(s): Erin Shaffert and Gigi Chiponis; Track Leader: Adilen Pena.

 

Who We Are:

(from left to right)

Adilen Pena: 

Freshmen at Penn State Berks majoring in Business

Gianna “Gigi” Chiponis:

Sophomore at Penn State Berks majoring in Hospitality Management

Erin Shaffert: 

Sophomore at Penn State Berks majoring in Hospitality Management

Nive Anand:

Sophomore at Penn State Berks majoring in Marketing  

Research Issue/Our Focus

For our service component, we are collaborating with Berks Nature to conduct water testing at three distinct locations. Our initial site is Northkill Creek on the Sand Spring Trail, which serves as a control for our other tests. Secondly, we examined the water quality at Northkill Farm. Lastly, we conducted tests at Plum Creek, a confluence of two downstream rivers.

Water testing in action

Our Service

Throughout our service project we went to 3 different streams, at Northkill (near Sand Spring trail), Northkill Boundary Road, and Plum Creek downstream (Reber’s Bridge). One being a very clean stream, one being near a farm, and the last one being downstream from a wastewater treatment plant, in order to get a variety with our data results. We worked with Steve, Marilyn, and Jane from Berk’s Nature to test the water quality of these streams. In order to test the water quality of the streams, we did a multitude of tests that included testing: dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, phosphate, nitrate, transparency, chloride, air temperature, and water temperature. Throughout this experience we learned a lot about the importance of water quality, and how not only do these tests, but water organisms are a reflection of the quality of water.

Reflection

Working with Berks Nature and conducting water testing has been a real learning experience. It’s not just about the practical stuff but understanding how what we do affects the health of our water. A huge thanks to Marilyn and Steve for guiding us and showing how teamwork is crucial for looking after our environment. Checking water quality at different spots, like Northkill Creek and Plum Creek, gave us insights into the local variations and how our actions impact water. This project has opened our eyes to our role in keeping water clean. Now, we’re extra mindful of our daily habits, making sure we’re doing our part to protect this important resource.

Poster Session


On November 29, 2023 our BISC 3 class gathered in Perkins MPR2 to present our service projects to the students and community.  
No comments

Clean Green

Image

  By Kameron Uffner • October 16, 2023 ,

Clean Green

Team Members: Kameron Uffner, Evan Dragone , William Pepper, and Evan Krapohl
Kameron Uffner – 2nd Year, Elementary Education Major
Evan Dragone – 2nd Year, History Major
William Pepper – 2nd Year, Hospitality Major
Evan Krapohl – 2nd Year, Hospitality Major

What did we Research?:      Our research topic was deforestation and it’s detrimental affects on the environment around it. The SDG’s that relate to our research and service are SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 13: Climate Action, and SDG 15: Life on Land.

Organization:      Berks Nature and Penn State Berks Greenhouse
What was our service?:      Our service consisted of helping out Berks Nature with tree planting in multiple different locations. Next we did water testing at Bob’s Nature Preserve and a creek cleanup in the creek behind the Berks Nature Place. Our final service was to help out at the Penn State Berks Greenhouse doing multiple tasks such as pulling weeds and trimming roots.

 

Summary:      The projects that we were fortunate enough to work with these organizations on have taught us a lot about our local environment. The tree planting helps counteract both deforestation and climate change, both which are rising global concerns. Our water testing and creek clean up services had taught us all that our local drinking water is not as safe as we would have thought as runoff pollution from heavy use of fertilizers is a common pollutant. Climate change is going to be a global concern for many years to come, up until it is way too late to save our planet. In order to combat climate change now, we must act against now and continue to act against it in the upcoming future.

 

Click the photo below to watch our service video! :

 

Click the photo below to watch our research presentation! :

 

Enjoy these photos from our different service acts!

 

No comments

Team Keepin’ It Clean Keeps Reading Clean!

  By mrs7124 • October 16, 2023 ,

Team Members (From Left to Right)

Emily Rivera – 1st year – Business Marketing

Madeline Leib – 2nd year – Marketing

Madelyn Sofranko – 1st year – Business Management

Mackenzie Sikora – 1st year – Elementary and Early Education

We all attend Penn State Berks! We are!

Our team is researching farm pollution of manmade farms and how using pesticides or other weed killers affect the water in surrounding areas. More specifically, we are researching how the natural-running water that we filter to drink is affected before, during, and after the process of filtering from freshwater to bottled water. Our goal is to educate ourselves on the importance of understanding how groundwater pollution affects our drinking water, and learn ways how we can work towards improving water quality one step and a time!

For our service project, we are helping a local middle school – The Northeast Middle School in Reading, PA – fix up their learning garden as well as helping their environmental club increase their awareness about local and global environmental issues. One of our activities with the students was creating a bat cave using scratch paper as they colored in stencils of bats. Another was a presentation about the process of photosynthesis. The students then planted seeds in little cups, and they will see them grow as time goes on!

Above are three photos from the presentation that a representative from the Pennsylvania Bat Rescue located in Reading, PA, gave to the students about their program and the importance of bats in our environment. They provide rehabilitation, care, and education for the conservation of the bat species. Keeping sufficient biodiversity is another important topic that everyone should be educated about, even children!
The middle photo above is a photo of us giving our presentation about the process of photosynthesis to the students. The others are photos of the students with their plants from our plant activity. We got natural soil without fertilizers or other harmful pesticides and allowed them to plant their own seeds and water their plants. We also took one home to track their progress.
This is a photo of the plant we took home, and what their plants should look like now!

Below is are links to our research presentation and service video. If you’d like to learn more about our research on groundwater pollution, give it a look!

Research Presentation:

Service Video:

Reflection:

Overall, this was a fantastic experience. We have a much better understanding of how our drinking water affects our lives. If our drinking water is contaminated, we won’t have any clean water to drink which will eventually lead to our downfall. Working with the students was an amazing opportunity and we learned a lot from the bat presentation. We were glad to see a bat in real life as well! We learned so much about how students view pollution and biodiversity as issues. Most of them didn’t even know what groundwater pollution was! The main thing that we concluded from this experience was that we need to conserve our drinking water as much as possible and farms need to refrain from using disastrous pesticides and fertilizers to grow their plants. We are very grateful to have had this opportunity to work together to educate ourselves about an incredibly important environmental and ecological issue.