News Release
College offers ‘green’ education opportunities
June 24, 2009
Long before terms such as eco-friendly and sustainability became common in the world’s vocabulary, Penn State Harrisburg had a commitment to environmental study. That commitment continues to expand as the college offers programs targeted to professionals, students, and even schoolchildren.
Utilizing the resources of the Small Public Water Technology Assistance Center (SPWSTAC) and faculty expertise in sustainability, the college is presenting a four-part Sustainable Issues Series designed for professionals in the region who wish to obtain a more comprehensive view of the concept. All or selected topics in the series will be of interest to engineers, engineering firms, biofuel development companies and researchers, agriculturalists and land use managers, water and wastewater treatment plant operators, municipal managers, and governmental officials.
The series kicks off July 14 with an overview of sustainability. Supported by Penn State Harrisburg biofuels research, it continues September 16 with an examination of renewable fuel sources including policy, underlying technologies, and feedstock management. On October 14, energy usage for treatment plants will be addressed and the series concludes November 18 with a study of sustainable water issues – both drawing on faculty research and the SPWSTAC.
The college’s Center for Geographic Information Services and Recycling Markets Center are offering two events targeting professionals – a one-day July 24 course providing a detailed introduction to the U.S. Geological Survey National Hydrography Dataset and an August 12 Green Purchasing Lunch and Learn session in which participants will learn to specify environmentally friendly equipment and systems in accordance with the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT).
Area schoolchildren can spend their summer days in Kids College camps aimed at helping them adopt earth-friendly practices at a young age. From July 6 to 10, ages 11 to 13 can experience outdoor water studies and become honorary members of the Environmental Protection and the offerings conclude August 4 when ages 11 to 13 participate in a computer game called “EcoRacer” in which they complete laps around a race track by best utilizing engines that offer the greatest speed coupled with fuel use and least environmental impact.
For additional information, dates, times and registrations, visit www.hbg.psu.edu/Green.