Friday, April 8, 2016

Fava Beans, No Chianti

Students germinated and planted Fava Beans in one aquaponics system, and created a temporary shade for them.

Making a Filter for Clay Pellets
Setting Up Pump

Germinated Fava Beans

First Step into the Grow Bed
Fava Bean Root System


Fava Bean Plants are separated and planted




Temporary Shade Erected







Testing the Siphon


Shade Holding Strong
UPDATE: One day later




UPDATE 2:  Two days later....

Uh Oh


New Temporary Shade

180 view





Thursday, March 24, 2016

Pummel the Plastic Campaign Blastoff

Science Club with Honors Physics, Honors Research, Honors Biology students launched the Pummel the Plastic Campaign with a bang, with the ping pong vacuum cannon that they built.

The campaign launch included:

1)  knocking a plastic water bottle into a plastic bottle recycling can using the ping pong vacuum cannon
2) 8 bottle recycling cans with individualized "Recycle because..." signs
3) Recycling relay race (Freshmen vs. Seniors) where teams raced to place various trash items into the correct cans.



The campaign includes:

1) Reduce the use of plastic disposable water bottles, by creating reusable Alverno Nalgene bottles with wide mouth and Alverno logo.

2) Address need for clean, cool water by retrofitting existing cooling fountain to a refill station style fountain, and adding a new wall-mounted refill station.





































Campus Trash Audit

Honors Biology Students conducted a trash audit of the trashcan and dumpsters.  They found that plastic water bottles, cans, styrofoam, and food waste comprised the most of the trash.
Following the audit, students have made several plans to reduce and recycle.

1) Reduce the use of plastic disposable water bottles, by creating reusable Alverno Nalgene bottles with wide mouth and Alverno logo.

2) Address need for clean, cool water by retrofitting existing cooling fountain to a refill station style fountain, and adding a new wall-mounted refill station.

3) Organize an e-waste collection as a service to the community of Sierra Madre

4) Educate students about the use of recycling cans to make sure that only recyclables go into the blue bins and all other trash, including food waste goes into the trash bins.

5) Encourage the use of reusable plates, cups, and cutlery.



Trash, Recyclables, and Green waste mixed together
Mostly disposable food containers




Honors Bio students document trash in dumpsters
Even the faculty lounge




Coconuts and cream cheese don't belong in the recycle bin

Team auditing


Mr Sifter's trash bins get reviewed







Who left their lunch trash out??