WYOMISSING, Pa. — Over the last year, Penn State Berks students partnered with local organizations to address a variety of issues centered around sustainability. Under the instruction of Mahsa Kazempour, associate professor of science education, who teaches the Environmental Science course, students worked in small groups for the Environmental Awareness and Community Action Project (EACAP), a community-based, service-learning initiative that has been incorporated into the course by Kazempour since 2011.
During the fall 2021 and spring 2022 semesters, a total of 36 teams — more than 130 students — joined forces with a multitude of community partners.
One group of students worked with the City of Reading Public Works to create public service announcements on a variety of issues, including illegal dumping, proper waste disposal and overall sustainability initiatives. Spreading awareness did not end with public service announcements — another team partnered with the City of Reading to research the procurement of sturdy, long-lasting greenhouse panels as part of an effort to restore the city’s greenhouse.