About Us
Hi, we’re GEGI, short for Greenhouse Girls! We worked with Penn State Berk’s Campus Greenhouse and Agricultural Center and conducted research on overgrazing.
My name is Kayla, I’m a second-year student majoring in psychology. I enjoy reading, hiking and swimming.
My name is Jenny. I’m a second-year student majoring in Communication Arts and Sciences. I enjoy astrology, dancing, and singing.
My name is Chitvat, I’m a first-year student majoring in Mechanical Engineering. I enjoy playing volleyball, going to the lake, and listening to music.
Research and SDG’s
Our research was about overgrazing and how it damages land. Overgrazing happens with animals eating too much grass which doesn’t allow it to grow back. This leads to poor soil and less plant life. This is connected to SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and many more. It harms the environment and makes climate problems worse. Our team looked at ways to stop/minimize overgrazing. In our presentation we shared the causes of overgrazing and how we can protect the land for the future.
Service
We worked at the campus greenhouse for our service project. We potted plants, cut overgrown plants, and moved some plants from the freezer to outside to allow them to have proper nourishment and allow them to grow and flourish. Along with working with plants we also had to do some chores such as washing dishes and cleaning up dead leaves and twigs. Overall, it was a great experience, and we learned a lot.
Reflection
After completing the community service, we all deeply felt the importance and influence of the environment on our quality of life. In the process of community service, we interacted with various plant species and became familiar with many that we had not known before. While engaging with these plants, we also discovered that a significant part of the reason we can live carefree lives comes from nature—the gifts provided to us by these plants and flowers. Because of them, our quality of life can always be maintained at a good level. Therefore, as users and caregivers of these plants, we have the responsibility to care for, cherish, and protect this seemingly infinite but finite nature. In addition, we should be aware that as we stand at the top of the natural chain, we should take the utmost responsibility and not waste natural resources for personal gain or financial temptation. Instead, we need to learn how to cherish the abundance of these resources while using them.
“Have we ever loved or cherished everything that nature has given us?”
Our team has deeply realized and found the answer to this question in the process of community service.
