Monmouth University held its second annual Sustainability Education Week. Last month, two students from Bordentown Regional Middle School BRMS were able to share ideas on how to make our environment more sustainable.
Eighth graders Kashika Mangal and Hasini Nandyala were able to participate in a special K-12 summit sponsored Monmouth University through their participation in the school districts Early Learning Programs for the Academically Talented.
The two BRMS students were tasked to present their own ideas through an essay or through a video presentation to answer the question, What steps are you taking to promote environmental sustainability?”
Kashika as well as Hasini presented their findings on topics like clean water and sanitation; affordable and clean energy; sustainable cities and communities; responsibility consumption and production; climate action and life below and on the ground at the virtual summit which took place on March 22.
The committee of university educators was highly impressed with the entries of both BRMS students, who were chosen to be one of the three finalists in the 5-8 grades group.
It is amazing to see our students working in projects that have an impact on our community, BRMS Principal Joseph Sprague stated in a statement. These two students represented BRMS in an amazing way and we are extremely proud of them.”
Each grade group had one winner, with Bordentowns Kashika being the top recipient in the fifth through eighth grades.
Kashika was awarded the award for her essay on the largest environmental waste factors. She pointed out that fashion corporations produce the most waste and discussed her findings about ways the fashion industry can reduce this problem.
Kashika was shocked to learn her name had been chosen as the winner.
Kashika said, “I feel honored to be giving something that younger generations could have to say about how to preserve the earth.”
Hasini presented a video on the environmental effects of toilet papers and how to substitute for them, such as bamboo. This will help to reduce the amount water and wood needed to make toilet paper.
Hasini shared a shocking statistic in her presentation: Between 1996 and 2015, more than 28 acres of the Boreal Forest were used to make toilet paper. This is roughly the same size as Ohio.
Hasini stated that he was happy that the summit is doing something to encourage younger people to talk about environment suitability. I am very proud to be a finalist.
Taylor Gilbert, eighth grade ELPAT advisor, and Andrea Molnar informed both students about the Monmouth University’s environmental sustainability summit.
This subject corresponded with the two climate change projects that ELPAT students are currently working on this school year.
Gilbert stated that a part of these projects is being used to make BRMS, and other schools in Bordentown Regional School district more environmentally friendly.
Kashika, for example, helped create an outdoor school space at BRMS. She and other students hung plants in order to create a more environmentally-friendly learning space.
Hasini was part a project in which students renovated old gardens on the BRMS campus and planted new plants to improve the air quality.
Gilbert, a Social Studies teacher at BRMS said that it was very humbling for the ELPAT program for Kashika to see Hasini being recognized for their hard work at environmental stability summit.
Gilbert, who has been a student in the ELPAT program for two years, stated that ELPAT students have extra work on top their normal course load.
Kashika and Hasini impressed her for balancing such a heavy course load while still managing to take part in the environmental stability summit.
Gilbert said that Kashika and Hasini were very impressive. They had four weeks to complete the task, in addition to their other work. Both did a fantastic job.