Sixteen students who participated in the NEXUS of Excellence summer program in the Green Impact Zone celebrated the program’s completion and were recognized for their accomplishments during an event held July 30 at the Green Impact Zone office.NEXUS was an intensive seven-week enrichment program designed to encourage entrepreneurship in the fields of energy and environment. Participants attended classroom training each day at Pioneer. As a result of a strategic partnership between the Green Impact Zone and MCC, classroom space and a technology lab were donated to the NEXUS program.
In addition to classroom training and guest speakers, students participated in exposure field trips geared toward reinforcing the concept of green business and the green economy. Students visited urban farms, power plants, water-treatment facilities, money museums, and an environmental justice program. Several of the older teens participated in the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus Foundation Conference in St. Louis. Younger students visited Camp Wildwood, an outdoor facility in LaCygne, Kan. Students also earned community service hours toward high school graduation. The program culminated with the development of business plans to help the students put their new knowledge into action.
The program was designed for young people ages 13–18, who live in the 150-square-block zone in the urban core of Kansas City, Mo., where efforts are underway to transform a neighborhood that has experienced years of decline into a thriving, sustainable community.
The Green Impact Zone is a 150-square-block area of the urban core, stretching from 39th to 51st streets and from Troost to Prospect and Swope Parkway. With help from federal stimulus funds, Green Impact Zone neighborhood leaders and other partners are working to transform the zone into a sustainable community, making it more energy efficient with SmartGrid technology; improving streets, sidewalks and curbs; adding and upgrading transit services; weatherizing homes; and bringing new businesses and jobs to the area.
The Green Impact Zone is a 150-square-block area of the urban core, stretching from 39th to 51st streets and from Troost to Prospect and Swope Parkway. With help from federal stimulus funds, Green Impact Zone neighborhood leaders and other partners are working to transform the zone into a sustainable community, making it more energy efficient with SmartGrid technology; improving streets, sidewalks and curbs; adding and upgrading transit services; weatherizing homes; and bringing new businesses and jobs to the area.
To find out more about the student experience at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHB263Hexn0&feature=player_embedded
No comments:
Post a Comment