Choosing to Participate:
A Social Justice Service Project on Sustainability

Today, was the finale of all our hard work and effort, The Day Of Learning. I personally was very nervous especially since we barely had anytime to practice considering that I was working on my committee project with
Niles, and Amy. But when we practiced, we got a lot done and we got the hang of it. Mainly, one person helped one group. There were 4 of us and 3 groups. I helped the group that included Henry (Chapin), and Cole Fenton. He eventually won the “contest” that we had, and received 5 lollypops while the others got 3. There were some parts that we could’ve done better. Like in the beginning, we had forgotten the glue. So I had to sneak down and get some glue sticks for the groups. Also next year I think that you (as in Leila and Sarah) should tell the students to put their names on the bags that they use to keep their stuff in. We lost about 2 or 3 bags of stuff just because someone thought that the stuff was theirs. I had a really good time and I hope that who ever takes Leila’s place next year is as “green focused” as she is. Another problem was that (I won’t mention names) _ _ _ _ _ _ didn’t work as much as anyone else and I really think that the teachers should enforce that everyone works their fair share. I really have to say that Maya really stepped up this project and I would like to thank her for really taking the role as leader of this project. I am hoping that maybe the few remaining LREI “middle schoolers” could also make the High School even greener than the Lower/Middle School. Thanks for this project it was quite fun and I hope that Leila has a great life after this year and that Sarah stays here so we can visit her. THANKS AGAIN!

-Calen

Today I went with Maya (P), Robbie, Niles, Ella, and Manny to interview coordinator Grace Huang about sustainability for our exposé. We had a very rough start and in the end we had to improvise and make questions on our own. Many of the questions we asked didn’t get the answer we had hoped for. To make things worse, our tape recorder ran out of tape and we had to record the interview with the digital cameras we had brought. I learned that many of the sustainability volunteers didn’t know as much about sustainability as we do. The only green thing green in that whole building was the fact that the floors are made with cork. There wasn’t much that I was surprised or learned about. It was a interview and I didn’t expect to learn much. Although , the interview was quite fun and I hope I see Grace quite soon.

Today Maya (P), Ella and I went about talking about the date of the interview. After Ella called Grace, we found that we were all open on the 11th and now we are scheduled to interview her on the 11th at 3:30.
-Calen

On Monday, April 7th, I along with Taylor, Robbie and Nicholas went to Phil’s office in order to talk to Phil about the water bottle situation and about how getting recycling bins that are for bottles will help the school and the the community. The work went quite well and we have accomplished getting Phil’s vote as long as the water isn’t flavored. We will talk with Mark in order to get the new recycling bins.
-Calen

In this appointment, I worked with Niles, Maya (P), Ella, Amy, and Manny. First we looked around on the second floor which was filled with information about the art of Chinese Architecture. Then we got the family area ready by putting paper all over the tables. Then when the families arrived, we helped the families construct buildings out of the given materials in a certain amount of time (ten minutes to construct, 5 minutes to brain storm). Getting to the place was fairly easy since I had been there before. It was very convenient that the Center was only about 3.5 blocks away from the school. The tasks were very simple, and I think that everyone helped at least one one family make a better structure. Before the work, you always feel a bit nervous and curious about what we were going to have to do. But during the work, it is a lot easier because you don’t really think about what to say you just say it and see if the families agree with what you say, or if they think it is a bad idea. After thye work ends, you feel a bit relieved that the work is over, but then you have to think about next time and what you’re going to do. So in a way it is a long cycle. Well, what struck me the most was the fact that we basically did the same work as we did last time. So this time it was a bit easier to get out your opinions. What always kind of annoyed me was the fact that some of the families felt like they had everything under control so that when you tried to help them, they would kind of have a little battle with you over who has the better ideas and such. During the work I did today I learned about the different types of Chinese structures. There were some buildings that really saved resources. For example, there was oen building that was constructed inside a hill. That way they wouldn’t have to use more resources to hold the building up, the hill would hold the building up, and the dirt dug up could be like glue holding the building down. Well today I learned that I am a very interested in what people construct and what work they made and why they made it that way. A lot of the time I was helping the people but at the same time I asking why they made the structure that way, and how they could change it. Well, I learned that this organization isn’t specifically fixed upon just green buildings in America. It is also thinking about structures and buildings created by other countries. Personally, I think that I need to come in on other times to ask about their organization. Not just when we are required to come. Please note that all photos that I took are saved onto the school server.

-Calen

On February 9th I worked with Manny, Ella, Niles, Maya (P), Henry and Jack G. After Grace (the tour-guide who told us what to do) finished giving tours to the children and parents, we helped assist the families in constructing a custom model of a environment effecient building. The work was okay. I thought that we would have to give tours about the information that they talked to us about. But in the end I was pretty happy that we didn’t have to give tours because I knew that I wouldn’t be able to remember all the info they gave us within about 20 minutes. I felt kind of nervous when I came in, because I was about 10 minutes late and I thought that I had set a bad impression. During the work I felt that there was one person that didn’t really want us there. I think her name was Catherine, but I felt that she didn’t really give us a chance to prove ourselves to her. For example: when I grabbed my camera to take photos, she told me that I couldn’t take photos. In the end, Grace allowed us to take photos and recommended that we do so. Well during that lesson I learned about all the great architecture buildings, that in their own way are very green. One thing I learned about myself is that I don’t like to make people mad or disapoint someone. One thing I learned about the organization is that they don’t just focus on green buildings for our future or in our country. They also focus on foreign country buildings as well. During the activity I learned that you can also make greener buildings by using rain water as a resource, planting trees and bushes, solar panels as a way to make energy, and making the building an air purifier. I saved the photos I took, and transfered the photos I took from my camera onto the server. For the next session, I plan on taking more photos and coming up with some information about how the organization got started, who is in charge now, and why they signed up for the job.

-Calen McGee