And just like that the semester is over. Since our last post we have presented our project to Penn State Berks, presented our research and outfall net options to the City of Reading, and presented our semester’s worth of work to our Bisci class. These recent events saw us finishing up our work and showing several different audiences the dangers of water pollution and how outfall nets can help solve this problem.

This semester, our team has learned a lot as a group, but also as individuals. Here are some of our thoughts on our work. Dillon Giadosh: I think it was interesting to work on a project of this scale. I have been a part of a lot of projects throughout the past few years through my time in Scouts and in college, but this one was definitely different. It was intriguing to figure out all the details required for our project, and how we progressed throughout the semester was fun to be a part of. There were a lot of elements involved and something new to always be found throughout the process. It all comes down to the fact that we could do something so small, yet so big to help the environment by just researching possibilities. I enjoyed working with my group and doing something different than the typical grind of classes and tests we all face throughout each semester. I would certainly be interested in finding out if our research warrants a project to come in the fall semester. Ryan Wentzel: For me this project was interesting because it shows how a simple project can help solve world problems. Usually, environmental issues feel like they are global problems and that there is little local communities can make to help solve world crises. However, from the research we conducted and the city officials we talked too, I now see the impact local projects can make. Companies like StormX and StormTrap prove that local projects to protect streams with outflows can collect hundreds of pounds of trash per year and this significantly cuts down on local water pollution and helps reduce ocean pollution as a whole. All in all, everyone needs to do their part to help the environment. Alfonso Rivera: This project was really insightful in regards to just learning and monitoring the amount of trash there is in distinctive area and working on a project that will directly affect the environment for the better on a long run. I gained a lot of perspective and awareness through this project, as we were tasked to create a net that will capture trash and gross pollutants of all shapes and sizes, and one wouldn’t really think that the littlest of trash matters, but it all piles up at some point. My message to the youth would be just for them to be mindful of your trash as the smallest negative contribution to the environment goes a long way, but the same thing can be said when doing something positive for the environment so play your part and the net will become lighter. Forrest Willman: I am thankful that I participated in a college class that is dedicated to preserving our local environment. We often overlook the negative impacts that we make on our community. We choose to value comfort and productivity over sustainable practices. EACAP has taught me about the current state of the earth and I realize now that we must globally come together to protect the remaining ecosystems from extinction. Our community project involved researching outfall nets in hopes that we would capture trash from the streets of Reading. This project posed many challenges that required creativity and problem solving to accomplish our goals. At the end of our presentation, a city official commended us on our efforts and appreciated the do-it-yourself model. I realize now that many community projects are hard to complete without the necessary funding. I hope that they fabricate a do-it-yourself outfall net in the fall semester. Eventually this idea could be implemented onto other outfalls in Reading and beyond, allowing for an affordable solution to water pollution.

All in all, this semester has been very insightful and worthwhile for our whole team. We hope our work can inspire future students and help the City of Reading cut down on pollution.