APES FINAL PROJECT

THE POWER OF ONE

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed people can change the world: indeed it's the only thing that ever has!
-Margaret Meade

In place of a final exam in APES you will embark on an independent project whose goal is to make a positive difference in our local environment and community. The focus of your project is your choice but it must be related to something we learned about in APES that particularly intrigued you. Your project will culminate in a paper documenting your efforts in the community including your goals, what you did and what kind of difference you think you actually made. My interest is for you to be involved in something meaningful to you, so please research and select your project carefully. Although we have been studying some very sobering changes happening our environment this year, we CAN all make a difference. Even if that means initiating the change by the action of one person- YOU. Never underestimate the ripple effect of good intentions!

Your project idea and action plan is due on Wednesday, April 25. The final paper is due on Friday, June 8 by 3:00 pm. The project will be worth 20% of your quarter grade. There will be NO extensions given for your paper.

The following are some project ideas to consider. Some of them need more research as to their validity. Of course your own ideas are welcome as well!

1. Teach elementary/middle school students about an environmental issue. Pick a subject that you learned this year and create a lesson plan and a block unit plan on that subject for a selected grade (choices are 1st through 9th). Present the lesson to the teacher (and the class if the teacher can fit it in to her/his end of the year curriculum.)
2. Get the NPHS recycling program more widely utilized throughout the schools. See me for more information.
3. Plant trees in NPHS courtyard. Prepare garden beds for the fall. Note: this project requires YOU to water the garden throughout the summer so the plants can get established. Maintenance can not do this for you.
4. Developing a nature trail on school grounds. Create a tree key and some kind of weather proof labeling system. You need to work with Maintenance to see what will work.
5. Plan a Bronx zoo field trip for elementary school kids to study endangered species. Make a field trip guide to the zoo and a class lesson on endangered species. Present to teachers.
6. Contact a local (state) environmental organization and participate in one of their projects. Most of these sites have an email service of current alerts and actions on behalf of the environment. Select a hot issue and research what you can do to help. (Rhonda Belluso at NYPIRG, the New York Public Interest Research Group, is a good resource rhondabelluso@hotmail.com.)
7. Write a children's book (with illustrations) that cover topics we discussed earlier in the year. Read the book to an elementary class and do a hands on project with them.
8. Do some restoration work in the community. Contact the appropriate agencies and plant trees, shrubs and perennials around New Paltz. I know the New Paltz Garden club could use your help, also the New Paltz Beautification Committee contact Sue Stegan @shstegen@att.net.
9. Conduct your own CLEAN SWEEP day in your neighborhood. Take before and after pictures. Document the extent of your clean up.
10. Do a Wallkill River clean up and recycle the recyclable materials. Document how far you went along the river.
10. Make your home more energy/resource efficient. Note: you must have permission of your parents before you do ANYTHING!!!!
fix dripping faucets
weatherstrip door/windows
get your family to switch to more environmentally friendly cleaning products
start a recycling campaign at home (visit the town dump and see how they handle recyclable materials)
find out how to dispose of used oil, old pesticides, and other toxic nasties
work out a plan to reduce your electric bills and water usage (go to the hardware store and learn about energy and water saving devices)
find out what kind of lawn mowers are better for the environment, etc.
11. Write an environmental article for a local paper like the New Paltz Times. It must be published to get credit.
12. Get involved in local environmental issues by attending the village or town Environmental Conservation Commission.
13. Make a cookbook on vegetarian meals. Cook them for friends or family (or the class!!!). The recipes must use ingredients that reflect a LOW impact use of our agricultural resources.
14. Prepare and distribute a handbook of locally available environmentally friendly products and organizations. Make a guide book for the Chamber of Commerce.
15. Contact local libraries and book stores. Make a list of suggestions for our librarian to establish a larger environmental library at school. Put together a reading list for incoming APES students.
16. Contact the Department of Environmental Conservation for ideas. The regional branch is just down the road- @256-3000.
17. Contact Jason West our GREEN PARTY mayor and see if you can be of service to him in his efforts to make New Paltz more environmentally friendly. His latest efforts are to get our school buses to run on Biodiesel!
18. Volunteer at the Mohonk Reserve. (Sue Fick, 255-0919) They have LOTS of ideas for you like helping with a native plants garden, improving the trails, and being a bike patrol volunteer.
19. Organize an Earth Day celebration for our school next year-
posters
information “booths”
brochures on how kids can make a difference
20. Volunteer at a local organic farm or health food store. They could use your enthusiasm and help! (Four Winds Farm- Polly or Jay Armour, 255-3088)
21. Volunteer at a local humane society or animal shelter. Do something meaningful for our homeless animals like giving them affection so they socialize better and have a better chance at being adopted. Kingston A.S.P.C.A. @ 331-5377.
22. Help an elderly neighbor with their yard work. Recycle yard waste and of course use no environmentally toxic pesticides. Take before and after pictures.
23. Research how NPHS can reduce their use of copying paper. Create a document on your findings.
24. Start a recycling campaign at a local retirement community.
25. Lead a field trip through the Gunks for kids- contact Mohonk Preserve (Sue Fick, 255-0919) or our middle/elementary school teachers.
26. See if can do something for the Transfer Station/Recycling Center in Gardiner (255-9775) or Landfill & Recycling Center in New Paltz (255-8456).
27. Clean up along the rail trail. Take before and after shots. Document how much ground you covered. Write an article about your experience in the New Paltz Times.
28. Volunteer for Habitat for Humanity (568-6035). Build a house for the needy.
29. Volunteer for Families of New Paltz (338-5953). Donate your time to help others help themselves.
30. Volunteer for the Salvation Army (255-9852). Recycle clothes from your neighborhood.

Wow- the possibilities are numerous. Make it meaningful! Make a difference!