Student Spotlights: Sustainability in Action
Two Curious Cardinals students are proof that no matter one’s age, it is possible to take initiative to become a budding activist for our planet and sustainability.
Curious Cardinals student Elise, a rising 11th grader, has launched a blog, “Maud,” a gorgeous platform that bridges her passions for Sustainability and Fashion! Through Maud, Elise hones her personal voice, writing about what it means to be a woman in today’s world, and is working towards a more equitable and sustainable world for all.
“Maud is a platform for change makers in the fashion industry. We openly discuss the industry's most pressing issues through articles, look-books, and guides, to help raise awareness and find solutions.”
As an eighth grader, Curious Cardinals student Daniela wrote a compelling, evidence-based 15-page report exploring lithium-ion batteries and their impact on the environment! Backed by scientific research, Daniela proposes sodium-ion batteries as a sustainable alternative for the “future of energy storage,” documenting their minimal environmental impacts and safety. Read an excerpt of her report:
“Although society has been running on fossil fuels since the industrial revolution, the discovery of the risks of anthropogenic climate change which is being powered by such fuels has led to the use of renewable energy sources such as solar power, geothermal, biomass, wind turbines, and hydropower. Society will need to change its attitudes towards, not only not prioritizing immediate convenience, but also the perception of cost. Although items such as solar power and sodium-ion batteries may literally cost more money to use or install, the costs of no/an extremely limited future for humanity will ultimately be far greater. Therefore, it’s crucial to consider future costs when considering current costs of energy and energy systems/storage.”
We are endlessly impressed, but not surprised, by the original and impactful passion projects our students accomplish with the guidance of their expert mentors. Kudos to Elise and Daniela for their passion and advocacy!
No matter your age or prior experience, dive in this summer by signing up for our Sustainability course, and work with a mentor to develop your own project!
