Penn State students will showcase their semester-long projects at the Campus and Community Sustainability Expo from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 7, at the State College Municipal Building. During the fall semester, these students partnered with local government and community organizations to research and propose sustainable solutions addressing various needs in the surrounding communities. This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided.
Eighteen student projects and six previews will be showcased that directly address sustainability challenges unique to Bellefonte, State College and Huntingdon boroughs; the Centre Region Council of Governments; the Spring Creek Watershed; and human resource professionals.
These projects address the sustainability challenges of water quality, resiliency planning, workforce recruitment, climate messaging, greenhouse gas inventory, waste and recycling, local foods and community gardening.
“The expo is an opportunity to celebrate the work that local governments and non-profits are doing to make our community more sustainable,” said Michele Halsell, director of the Sustainable Communities Collaborative. “It is also an opportunity to recognize the contributions of Penn State students in creating a more sustainable future.”
The general public is invited to explore the poster session and learn more about the projects from the students. In the days leading up to the expo, a panel of judges will select three exceptional posters based on factors such as content, organization and visual appeal. The winning posters will be announced during the event.
Speakers will include:
- Tom Fountaine, manager, State College Borough
- Paul Shrivastava, chief sustainability officer, Penn State, and director, Sustainability Institute
- Haley Banashefski, student representative, LER 460
- Jeannine Lozier, community outreach coordinator, Mount Nittany Health
- Michele Halsell, assistant director, Sustainability Institute and interim director, Sustainable Communities Collaborative
The expo is an effort supported by Sustainable Communities Collaborative and the Student Farm at Penn State.
For event details, contact Ilona Ballreich at ixb20@psu.edu or 814-865-2291. For information about sustainability efforts at Penn State, visit sustainability.psu.edu.