Pine-Richland and North Allegheny Students Went "green" For One Day

On Saturday, April 13, Pine-Richland and North Allegheny students went “green” for a day.

Students from grades 8-11 attended Business and Education Connected's Environmental Engineering and Sustainability Workshop on Chatham University’s picturesque Eden Hall Campus in Gibsonia, PA.

Presentations were made by Dr. Dave Hassenzahl, Dean of the School of Sustainability and the Environment at Chatham University; Brenda McEver and Amanda McNally from AECOM Technical Services; and Jacquelyn Flesner from the Etiquette Network.

“When I was younger, I lived in Los Alamos, New Mexico by a large nuclear laboratory. Everyone who lived there worked at the plant, so most of the kids had parents who were scientists or engineers.” 

He explained that when there would be requests for speakers at the local school there were often complaints of “Can’t we get someone other than a scientist?”  Students were well informed to the opportunities available to them in the science fields.

During his presentation he helped students understand that within the local and national economy there is a risk involved that includes the success of the company, and the health of the environment and how to decide which and when these supercede each other.  

He also explained the importance of Pennsylvania’s water and how to provide sustainable methods in which water can be recycled with environmentally safe methods, which would benefit the local water shed, but also the water entering the Mississippi Delta.

AECOM’s Brenda McEver, and Amanda McNally explained that although they are working locally to improve Pennsylvania’s environment, AECOM also has approximately 45,000 employees worldwide and AECOM’s local and global knowledge has provided innovation in sustainability and environment engineering, which has enhanced the world’s environment. 

Local examples of how ravines that had been filled years earlier with toxic materials were leaching lead and other dangerous materials into local water sources. 

AECOM’s team of environmental engineers provided a solution and the toxic materials were dug up, contained and made environmentally safe. Students clearly understood the importance of environmental engineering as the pictures presented could easily have been in their own back yard.

The Etiquette Network’s, Jacquelyn Flesner, presented professional business etiquette focused on “Making a Great First Impression."

She explained, ““Your first impression, may be the last impression on potential new employers.”

This helped students understand the importance of how your first impression may be the only opportunity to prove you have the competitive edge on other potential employees.

Written by: Aafke Loney, MBA, President, Business and Education Connected, LLC

If your business would like to host a career workshop or if you have any questions regarding Business and Education Connected workshops please contact:

Aafke Loney: aloney@business-education-connected.com

Christine Ricci: cricci@business-education-connected.com

BE Connected website: www.business-education-connected.com

Facebook:  Business and Education Connected

Twitter:  _BE_Connected