The Environmental Finance Center (EFC) at Syracuse University and the Virgin Islands Recycling Partnership (VIRP) seek university students interested in assisting with developing and delivering a sustainable organics materials management education program for K-12 schools and other organizations in the V.I. during the fall 2012 through spring 2013 school year. This program will focus on waste reduction, reuse and recycling, with a special focus on organics management (green waste, food discards, etc.). during the internship, university students from across the territory will receive training on organics management and composting methods, develop K-12 curriculum, then deliver these programs to schools across the islands. Program participants will work on the project from October 2012 to May 2013. They will receive free training in the beginning of the fall semester. The program will take approximately 50-75 hours to complete over the course of the school year. Students will work with the EFC, VIRP Organics Team, US EPA Virgin Islands office and V.I Waste Management Authority.
Sustainable Organics Materials Management Education Program Timeline
Training (Sept. – Oct. 2012: Participants will be trained on the following topics:
1. Sustainable Materials Management – Waste Reduction, Reuse, Recycling and Organics Management
2. Organic Materials Management 101 – “The Low Hanging Fruit”
3. Composting Techniques for Small to Medium Scale Composting Systems
4. Tools for Teaching Sustainable Materials and Organics Materials Management to Youth
Curriculum Development (Oct. 2012): Participants will work in teams to develop K-12 curriculum.
School Outreach and Teaching Youth (Oct. 2012 – May 2013): Teams will connect with local schools and participants will travel to teach classrooms the curriculum that has been developed.
Outreach and Assistance to Other Organizations (Oct. 2012 – May 2013): Teams will connect with other organizations, such as resorts, government institutions and restaurants and promote sustainable organics materials management options.
Follow-up on Established Organics Materials Management Systems (Jan. 2013 – May 2013): Teams will check in with classrooms and other organizations they have educated on their progress and success with sustainable organics materials management projects.
Final Report (May 2013): Students report on lessons learned and best practices for bringing sustainable organics materials management education into classrooms and other organizations.
Students majoring in sciences or education are preferred, though all students are encouraged to apply. A small number of paid postitions may be made available. Students are encouraged to use the program to receive college credit. To apply, please send the following information to Ana V. Arache at avarache@syr.edu by Monday, Sept. 15, 2012.
Resume, including contact information; if you are planning on receiving college credit; two brief paragraphs on why you are interested.