Hello, we are The Green Alps! Our group is made up of four students named Josiah, Cameron, Ben, and Alp. Josiah is majoring in Business Analytics and is a sophomore. He enjoys playing baseball, lifting, and cooking.Ben is majoring in Workforce Education and is a freshman He enjoys Working on cars, building and Camping/off roading. Cameron is majoring in Finance. He is a freshman. His hobbies are magic gathering, dungeons and dragons, and cars. Alp is majoring in Business (Marketing) major. He is a sophomore. He enjoys playing soccer, skiing, playing tennis and cooking.

Research

Our group conducted research on the topic of nuclear power, examining its history, challenges, and global impact. We explored how nuclear power has been used as a source of energy since the 1950s, contributing to nearly 20% of electricity in the United States. Pennsylvania has a significant history with nuclear power, as it is home to Shippingport Atomic Power Station, the nation’s first commercial plant, and produces over a third of the state’s electricity through nuclear energy. Our research highlighted the major challenges associated with nuclear power, including the high costs of construction, safety concerns arising from incidents like Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania, and the complexities of managing radioactive waste. By analyzing these issues, we gained a deeper understanding of how nuclear energy fits into both the national and global energy landscape. We used our research to make a narrated presentation to educate others. 

Service

For our service portion of the project we partnered with the Campus Sustainability Council to help improve the campus grounds. We were assigned three main tasks: raking out dead brush near the electric fence, cleaning up two overgrown flower beds, and mulching one of them in preparation for the next planting season. These areas had been neglected and were overgrown, so our goal was to clean them up to make the campus more inviting and sustainable. Clearing the brush near the electric fence was the first and one of the most challenging parts of the project. The area was covered with dead leaves, branches, and thick weeds, creating not only an eyesore but also a potential fire hazard. We worked to remove the debris using rakes and clippers while staying cautious of the electric fence. After finishing with the brush, we moved on to the flower beds, which were similarly overrun with weeds and debris, preventing healthy plant growth. Once we pulled out the weeds and cleared the debris, we applied a thick layer of mulch to help retain moisture and suppress future weed growth, ensuring the flower bed would be ready for the next planting season. Attached is a link to our video on the picture below.

Outcome

As a team, The Green Alps worked well together and enjoyed every aspect of this project. Coordinating our schedules to meet and work was sometimes challenging, but we were able to make it work and were able to complete the tasks we were asked to. Clearing the brush, cleaning the flower beds, and mulching were all demanding but rewarding parts of the project. It was fulfilling to see the transformation of the areas we worked on and know that our efforts would contribute to the campus’s sustainability and overall appearance. The experience was both enjoyable and meaningful, allowing us to get better with our teamwork and giving us the opportunity to make a positive impact on our community.