2-day Camp for High School Students

Students will gain a fundamental understanding of sustainability, solid waste management and recycling, carbon emissions and infrastructure.

Students will be able to describe materials origins, generation, materials characteristics, and identify issues of several common solid wastes such as plastics and glasses.

Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of various recycling issues locally, including the collection of solid waste, processing capacity, and the final destination of the recycled materials.

Students will have the opportunity to engage with the recycling center manager, technicians, and volunteers to learn about the solid waste recycling process.

Students will learn what concrete is and how to incorporate recycled plastics and glass into its production to embrace recycling and sustainability.

Students will engage in a hands-on activity involving the batching and fabrication of concrete cylinders, including dense-graded and pervious concrete.

Students will gain an understanding of the severity and consequences of plastic pollution, including microplastics and nanoplastics, on human health and the marine environment.

Students will have the opportunity to gain practical experience in detecting and removing microplastics from wastewater in an Environmental Laboratory.

Students will have the opportunity to visit the state-of-the-art glass studio on campus, know the basics of glass, and explore the potential of utilizing recycled glass in visual arts.

Students will engage in a hands-on activity where they can create a piece of art using waste glass.

Students will measure the strength of the 1-day cured concrete they have fabricated, which integrates recycled glass and plastics.

Students will evaluate the quality of their production and gain an understanding of the significance of consistency and quality control in sustainable engineering practices.

Students will collaborate as a small team with college students to brainstorm and propose solutions to a local community recycling issue. 

Students will also design an engaging poster, present it to the judges, receive feedback, and compete.