Academics

Spring Campus and Community Sustainability Expo scheduled for April 23

Students discuss a poster at the 2017 Campus and Community Sustainability Expo. Credit: Kevin Sliman / Penn StateCreative Commons

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State students will present their semester-long projects at the Campus and Community Sustainability Expo from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, April 23 at the State College Municipal Building. Throughout the spring semester, students from diverse disciplines have collaborated with local government and organizations to research solutions to sustainability challenges in the surrounding communities. The event is free and open to the public.

“The Campus and Community Sustainability Expo is a celebration of local efforts to make our community more sustainable,” said Michele Halsell, assistant director of Penn State’s Sustainability Institute and interim director of the Sustainable Communities Collaborative. “No one can do it alone. It takes local elected officials, municipal staff, nonprofit leaders, the private sector and educational institutions working together to make sure that our community thrives.”

Approximately 25 student projects that directly address sustainability issues in the Centre Region area will be showcased. The projects explore a range of topics including stormwater management, recycling and composting, public safety and sustainability-focused behavior and policies. Student organizations, like the Student Farm, will also present at the event.

“Students and faculty from Penn State play an important role by applying their skills and expertise to local issues,” Halsell said. “They bring new ideas and insights that help local leaders broaden their choice of solutions.”

All members of the community are invited to explore the poster session and learn about the projects from the students. The posters will be assessed by a panel of professionals and judged on factors such as sustainability content, visual appeal and organization. Winners will be announced during the event.

Speakers will include representatives from the Borough of State College, a sustainability advocate and an undergraduate student representative. Locally sourced refreshments will be provided.

The expo is supported by the Borough of State College and Penn State’s Sustainability Institute.

For more event details, contact Ilona Ballreich at ixb20@psu.edu. For further information about other sustainability efforts at Penn State, visit sustainability.psu.edu.

Last Updated March 22, 2018