AHS Environmental Sustainability Interns Making an Impact

     AHS senior Meghan Johnson spends time each week working with mentor Brad Weeden of the Bancroft School PTO developing a recycling program at elementary level.  Fellow student Ellie Mapstone is working with mentor Brian Salazar on place making project seeking to identify locations and attractions in Andover that would bring attention to Andover as a destination to visit as part of the Andover Tomorrow project.  Mr. Salazar is also mentoring senior Peter Rex on a transit-oriented development mapping project for Andover while Town Planner Paul Materazzo is mentoring Julia Fraser with her work on the Andover Tomorrow project.  Rhiannon O'Donald is working with Conservation Commissioner Bob Douglas on an effort to relocate a proposed gas pipeline through Andover while Van Shrestinian works with Mr. Douglas to develop local trials and conservation sites.  Andover Green Advisory Board member Charissa Rigano is mentoring Jake Golan's work to create a new hiking trail on Andover conservation land.  Each of these students are all seniors currently enrolled in one of Andover High School's newest courses, the Environmental Sustainability Internship Course also known as ESIC.    

This year's AHS  ESIC interns   

     Now in its second year, this course pairs the enrolled 12th graders with a mentor from a local organization or business to develop an internship experience related to environmental sustainability. The ESIC program is quickly growing in notoriety and is drawing a lot of positive attention as a result of the impact that interns are having on programs and initiatives across Andover.
     The weekly schedule for the course has students working on their internship projects with their volunteer mentors on their Tuesday and Thursday and working in class on Mondays and Wednesdays either reporting on their projects, sharing struggles or successes, learning workplace skills, or working together on a group project assessing air quality at the school.  ESIC students are also conducting an indoor air quality study at AHS using the EPA's IAQ Tools For Schools Kits.  On Fridays, students are usually visited by a guest speaker who comes to the high school to talk about an environmental sustainability topic or program.

AHS ESIC intern Ellie Mapstone working with students from Phillips Academy on her place making project

       AHS science teacher Melanie Cutler led the development of the course and teaches it to a class of 14 seniors.  She is supported by retired AHS science teacher Jane Sonntag who serves the program as the mentor liason.  In this role, she visits mentors to check in on how the internships are proceeding and to offer support to mentors and students in the development of the internship relationship.  The program is also supported by Steve Fink of Green Andover who works to network and build connections between the ESIC course member and local organizations and programs.  It's a team effort that is greatly supported by volunteer mentors from a variety of backgrounds.
       ESIC students had been gaining attention locally for the quality and importance their research and presentations to local organizations in a variety of areas.  Victor Amesoeder is working with AYS Director Bill Fahey on the greening effort of the new AYS Youth Center.  Beitrice Choo is collaborating with School Committee chair Annie Gilbert on designing a a potential learning lab space in an environmentally sustainable manner.  Mentored by Town Energy Manager Janet Nicosa, senior Carly Droof is identifying old refrigerators in town buildings to be replaced by more energy efficient and economical units while McKenzie Nash is supporting recycling initiatives at Andover High, West Middle School, and Doherty Middle School.

AHS senior Sophia Allen describes her work on assessing the need and feasibility of a community garden in Andover to session attendees at the Massachusetts Association of Science Teachers Conference in November.

     This year's participants have been earning rave reviews from their mentors and others aware of the work they are doing in support of numerous local sustainability efforts.  In addition to gaining knowledge about the topics they are working on, students are developing valuable project management, collaboration, and presentation skills while experiencing the ups and downs of moving authentic projects through unexpected developments.  Once the course is finished in January, some participants will continue to work on their projects through the spring.  When all are finished, they will have made a lasting impact on their community and have gained valuable life skills that will serve them well on their futures.