| Overall Rating | Bronze |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 26.56 |
| Liaison | Noah Hughes |
| Submission Date | Dec. 31, 2022 |
Modesto Junior College
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.60 / 4.00 |
Noah
Hughes Prof of Earth Sciences Earth Sciences |
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Campus Engagement?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Campus Engagement:
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Public Engagement?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Public Engagement:
In pre-COVID times, student clubs on campus participated in an event called Science Night at the Museum. This monthly event involves opening our Science Community Center (this building contains science classrooms and labs, as well as a natural history museum called the Great Valley Museum) to all MJC students and the general public. Student-led clubs host informative booths with sustainability-related learning opportunities geared toward K-8 children. Activities include rooftop telescope viewing (Venus->CO2->climate) and green chemistry (ocean acidification).
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Air & Climate?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Air & Climate:
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Buildings?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Buildings:
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Energy?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Energy:
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Food & Dining?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Food & Dining:
The Environmental Conservation classes utilize an "environmental conservation" section of our campus to study sustainable food production. This area includes closed loop food production systems, including fruits, vegetables, bees(honey) and aquaculture. Students experiment with various "fertigation" recipes (with fertilizer produced by the aquaculture tanks where tilapia grow) to see how well they work in fruit/vegetable production. This area also includes a native plant nursery where students study beneficial insects. There is a rainwater capture system that will provide water. Systems (including aquaculture tanks) will be powered by solar panels.
All food products (plus those from other areas in Ag) will be sold to the public at a "country store" on campus (see "Student-run enterprises"). This store functions as a learning lab for Ag Business studentswhere they will gain experience in product development, sales, marketing, and inventory management around sustainable food products.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Grounds?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Grounds:
Botany labs utilize the Great Valley Nature Lab (GVNL) area, as well as campus arboretum, for student learning about effects of climate change on plant biology and productivity.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Purchasing?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Purchasing:
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Transportation?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Transportation:
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Waste?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Waste:
Campus operations has many sustainable practices with respect to waste diversion, including a campus composting program where green waste is composted for later use on campus grounds. However at this point students are not involved with this program as part of any formal learning activity.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Water?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Water:
In our Irrigation Technology programs, students utilize an on-campus agricultural facility (consisting of an irrigated grass field, drone-based productivity monitoring, moisture sensors, and access to irrigation water) to learn about irrigation efficiency. Our college is located in a region where agriculture is the largest sector of our economy.
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Coordination & Planning?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Coordination & Planning:
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Diversity & Affordability?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Diversity & Affordability:
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Investment & Finance?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Investment & Finance:
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Wellbeing & Work?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Wellbeing & Work:
Website URL where information about the institution’s living laboratory program is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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