Projects Ideas
Faculty and Students- what we need from you: expertise, skills and time to engage in meaningful resilience projects in the community
- Short-term activities to address small-scale community projects, from a few hours or one day (example: day of service) to one week (example: spring break service event)
- Semester-long 14-week projects
Examples
- Engineering or architecture courses
Students from Old Dominion University’s engineering department joined students from Hampton University’s architecture department to develop design and engineering recommendations to deal with flooding in a historic, riverfront neighborhood in Norfolk (Chesterfield Heights Design Project). Students surveyed the local community, visited with the civic league and looked for solutions to flooding that helped to retain the features of the neighborhood valued by residents.
- Law School courses
Virginia Coastal Policy Center engages with the Southeast Newport News Community to assist in creating solutions for adapting to sea level rise and building community capacity for coastal resilience. Student projects include: a tree planting event, the development of a resiliency plan for the community and a Civics 101 class for youth.
- Environmental studies courses
Students at Western Washington University conducted an assessment of the inflow of food into Whatcom County, Washington, as well as the emergency planning associated with the coordination of food distribution throughout the county in the event of an emergency. Students worked to identify the volume of food received by local distributors/retailers or produced by local growers. They also assessed the number of residents who might be vulnerable to food insecurity in the event of an emergency; identified local organizations who would be responsible for the distribution of food during an emergency; and estimated the length of time the county would be able to provide local residents with food before supplies would need to be replenished by outside sources.
- International day of work and service
Students in a course on ‘organizing for social change’ at Antioch University implemented an international day of work and service. Students organized a film showing and discussion at a community library, a series of bike workshops, and other activities to encourage individuals to adopt environmentally friendly behaviors by reducing their carbon footprints.
- Biology courses
Students in 100-level environmental science courses participated in a project that supports a national butterfly migration initiative to provide ease of migration for butterflies continually along the East Coast of the U.S. In the fall, students prepared and cared for milkweed seeds and seedlings and prepared the soil of the garden sites for planting in the spring. In the spring, students plant the native milkweed species in a park and other areas near or on campus.
- English or Communications courses
In a crisis communications course, student work on a project related to communicating climate change and sea level rise to Hampton Roads residents. Students conduct a usability testing study for a tool that helps citizens and city planners learn about environmental risk and explore resources for protecting themselves.
- Engineering courses
In an introductory engineering course, students design and build solar powered toolsheds to benefit different community gardens.
Questions? Need more information?
Contact Dr. Emily Eddins – e-mail eedins@odu.edu or call 757-683-3065