Cal Poly Humboldt Students Build Projects that Emphasize Sustainability

Press release from Cal Poly Humboldt:

New, interactive infrastructure and apparatuses designed to engage and educate the children of Trillium Charter School about science and sustainability premiered at the school in Arcata on Tuesday, May 9.

A solar heated sink was one of several projects Cal Poly Humboldt students designed with input from Trillium Charter School students. [Photo credit: Appropedia]

The celebration was a culmination of projects completed by Environmental Resources Engineering students from instructor Lonny Grafman’s Engineering 215 course. They presented and demonstrated their final designs to Trillium Charter School students, administrators, staff, parents, and the Rotary Club of Arcata Sunrise, who sponsored the project.These projects are among the more than 100 sustainable infrastructure and products created through the course at other local schools including Zane Middle School and Six Rivers Charter School. This inaugural partnership between the charter school and the University was made possible by a generous sponsorship and engagement by Rotary Club of Arcata Sunrise.

Six Cal Poly Humboldt student teams designed and constructed innovative infrastructure and learning tools at Trillium. Projects include inspiring learning apparatuses such as a custom probability machine, busy board and paper maker, as well as ground works such as math paths, a solar heated sink, and an earthen cob bench with a mini-tunnel.

The new additions to the school were designed and built by Environmental Resources Engineering students as part of their class project, and they met weekly with the client and students.

“I have enjoyed working on this collaborative process. It has been wonderful for my elementary students to be part of the design and interview process,” says Katie Dens, Trillium Charter School teacher. “I think this project really opened their eyes to the world of engineering and the job possibilities it creates.“

Rotary Club of Arcata Sunrise President, Vanessa Griffin, says of the partnership: “It’s been a great pleasure to watch these young engineers collaborate with their clients, the teachers and students of Trillium Charter School. Working within the parameters set forth by Trillium, the engineers created six distinct, interactive educational opportunities around the campus. Thorough testing and choice of materials ensures their projects will be sustainable years into the future. I can’t wait to see where our next partnership leads. ”

Trillium, which has partnered with the University previously through the Y.E.S. House–-Cal Poly Humboldt’s student-led volunteer programs–-has always appreciated the amazing resources and field trip opportunities offered by being so close to campus.

Contact:

Katie Dens, Trillium Charter School teacher
[email protected]
(707) 822-4721

Lonny Grafman, Cal Poly Humboldt instructor
[email protected]

(707) 737-4273

About Trillium Charter School

Trillium Charter School focuses on mixed age learning in multi-grade classes with a strong school- wide environmental science, art education and social/emotional learning program. The community philosophy is guided by the Trillium Values: Honor Differences, Respect Others and the Earth, Always Try Your Best, and Everyone is Welcome. Trillium is currently enrolling for next school year in all grades.