One of the most popular sciences classes at M-A, AP Environmental Science (APES), presents students with many opportunities to help our community. From habitat restorations to beach cleanups, students across campus are making a difference in the environment.
While finding service opportunities may seem difficult, it is actually pretty simple. APES teacher Erica Woll said, “ Grassroots Ecology hosts a lot of events that are usually around restoration and conservation.” The Grassroots Ecology organization has an accessible website where students can see a calendar of local environmental service opportunities to participate in.
“A lot of the service opportunities are in East Palo Alto, so it’s local and easy to get to for students,” Woll explained.
By participating in environmental service, students are pushed out of man-made suburban life and venture into the marshlands where they can reconnect with nature. Woll said, “ I hope that students feel a little bit more connected to the natural parts of their community.”
Senior Ben Timm traveled to San Francisquito Creek to help restore the habitat. “ I enjoyed cleaning up the polluted creek,” he said. “It felt good to help my community.”
Besides cleanup and restoration projects, students can also help the environment by educating others. Junior Shayla Carneiro, did her environmental service through Canopy, which connects high school students with elementary students to educate them about the environment.
“I volunteered at Belle Haven and Los Robles schools, where we taught third-grade students about tree care,” she said. Carneiro’s experience is a great example of environmental service directly impacting our community by connecting with young students and sparking their interest in helping the environment.
While many APES students participate in environmental service as a part of the curriculum, any student can participate in local ecological efforts. There are many organizations that are easy to navigate and help students get involved.
