WV Rivers Meets Next Generation of Environmental Advocates
Greenbrier East High School students in Mr. Hodge’s 9th Grade Earth Science class recently completed projects that centered around the United Nation Sustainable Development Goals. WV Rivers’ staff scientist, Autumn Crowe, had the honor of helping evaluate the projects in a fashion similar to the popular TV show “Shark Tank”. The students approached their sustainability projects as if they were searching for funding to launch their ideas.
Clean water, plastic pollution, renewable energy, agriculture, and human rights emerged as the re-occurring themes for the various projects. One group found a way to generate electricity by installing kinetic plates in the school’s stairwell. Another group fashioned a low cost water purifier out of a pop bottle, coffee filters, sand and charcoal. Several teams attempted to solve the problem of plastic pollution and marine debris. One talented young lady created a low cost air filtration device to combat increasing air pollution. Renewable energy projects included models of wind turbines, hydroelectric dams, and even a combined wind-solar-hydrogen powered water purifier!
Autumn was very impressed with the students’ ingenuity and shared, “Our future is in good hands. These students are very passionate about the environment and how our actions are impacting the world around us. I am inspired to see the next generation of budding scientists and problem solvers tackle the important issues facing our society and come up with viable solutions!”
Are you a teacher or involved with a youth organization? WV Rivers is interested in partnering with you! Email ktyner@wvrivers.org, and let’s see how we can collaborate.
