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The Campus As Lab
The Campus As Lab Program supports collaborative efforts between operational and academic department members in order to create campus-based learning opportunities that engage students in analyzing, evaluating and generating creative solutions for a more sustainable campus. Please view the list of project opportunities below and consider how student learning could be enhanced by incorporating one of these engagements into your syllabus. Project partnerships can be formed with individual students, small groups or entire classes. "Locations for Learning" on the second tab are ideal for interactive class tours. "WakerSpace", the third tab, suggests protype development opportunities for students interested in making stuff.
For a thorough resource on global climate solutions, visit Drawdown.org.
 Contact Nathan Peifer, peifernl@wfu.edu, with your questions and interest.
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Opportunity DescriptionCampus PartnersCampus Partner ContactDrawdown SolutionSTARS Category*
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Campus Caffiene Query
How does caffeine help and hinder academic success? How do students, faculty and staff use caffeine and how might our collective habit be made more sustainable? 		WellbeingMarian TrattnerHealthWellbeing&Work
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Solar Hot Water
Analyse the solar hot water system's contribution to heating the pool water. Develop an educational display and consider posting it at other sites on campus, like Benson and South Hall.		Campus RecreationJoe Cassidy41Water
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Trails
A recent campus survey revealed that running is the most popular form of exercise. Map potential running trails in and around campus. Gather usage data from cardio equipment and calculate energy consumption. Propose solutions to reduce energy consumption by exercise equipment. 		Campus RecreationJoe Cassidy12HealthWellbeing&Work
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Mindful Wake
The Chaplains Office is developing initiatives to cultivate mindfulness in daily activities. Consider how your expertise and field of study intersect with meditation and stillness, deliberate breathing and movement, and the theme of "interbeing". 		Chaplain's Office
Tim AumanHealthWellbeing&Work
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Waterfall Hydro Electricity
Design and prototype a stream powered electricity generator for the Lake Katherine dam. Use the electricity for night time illumination.		Facilities & Campus Services48Energy
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Paw Paw Pollination Problem
Why aren't the Paw Paws being pollinated on campus? Explore native pollinators, beekeeping, hand pollinating and landscape practices that could be injuring pollinator communities.		Facilities & Campus ServicesJim Mussetter12, 17, 28Grounds
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Night Light
Measure night time illumination levels on pedestrian pathways around campus. Map areas where light is insufficient for safety or unecessarily contributing to night sky illumination.		Facilities & Campus ServicesMike Draughn
Tony Schallert
Deri Stormer		44Energy
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Ecological Services of Trees
Research and measure the impact of trees and forested landscapes on the campus ecosystem. Areas of interest might be heat island remediation, wildlife habitat, stormwater management, recreation, etc. 		Facilities & Campus ServicesMike Draughn
Jim Mussetter
Hanna Miller, CityofWS		12, 15, 38Water
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Edible Lanscape
Research the benefits and challenges of incorporating fruiting trees and shrubs, perennial vegetables, herbs and edible flowers into the WFU Landscape. Design an outreach initiative that engages and educates the WFU community about the students' landscape discoveries. 		Facilities & Campus Services
Jim Coffey
Jim Mussetter		4, 28Grounds
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Energy Mapping
GIS students used energy consumption data from F&CS to create visual representations of energy usage. This project can be extended and expanded each semester. 		Facilities & Campus Services
Mike Draughn
45, 80Buildings
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Growing Grass
Identify and measure areas of lawn on campus. Calculate the costs of maintaining traditional sod lawns compared to alternatives like perennial weeping lovegrass. Identify lawn space on campus that could be transitioned to a more sustainable alternative. 		Facilities & Campus Services
Jim Coffey15, 51Grounds
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President's House Ellen Shipman Garden Restoration
Participate in the historical restoration of the Ellen Shipman garden. Curate a garden exhibit		Facilities & Campus Services
Jim CoffeyGrounds
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Tree Measures and Mapping
Record Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) measurements and GIS coordinates of campus trees. Input data into the Tree Inventory Web App created by CSC331, or a similar program like iTree.		Facilities & Campus Services
Jim Mussetter12Grounds
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Ecological Impact of a Fork
Conduct a Life Cycle Assessment on Reusable, Single-use plastic, and Compostable dinnerware at catered events on campus.		Office of SustainabilityBrian Cohen
Jessica Wallace		47, 60Purchasing
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Office Paper
Evaluate the externalities of virgin paper compared to recycled paper or "Tree Free" paper. What is the carbon impact of using tree pulp compared to sugar cane waste or other "tree free" sources? 		Office of SustainabilityBrian Cohen
68, 70Purchasing
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Piedmont Environmental Alliance Educators
Learn the PEA curriculum and teach middle school students with a team of volunteers		Office of SustainabilityPeter Schlacte
Melanie Eddington
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Plant Forward Dining
Research the sustainability impacts of conventional livestock management and consumer meat consumption. Calculate the ecological impact of regenerative livestock practices and a reduction in meat consumption. Develop a nuanced understanding of sustainability and food choices. 		Office of SustainabilityBrian Cohen
Brooke Orr		4, 11, 16Dining/Food Services
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Single Occupancy Vehicle Travel
Learn how most students, faculty and staff commute to and from campus, and what options are available. Calculate the environmental impact of SOVT as compared to other options. OoS has survey results.		Office of SustainabilityBrian Campbell26, 37, 49, 54, 59, 63, 69, 75Transportation
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Building Systems Education
Develop an education and/or behavior change campaign to inform students about how residence halls' conditioning systems function, and target individual behaviors that affect the system's efficiency. 		Residence Life & HousingDonna McGalliard
Doug Eckland		1, 27, 45, 80Buildings
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Residence Halls as Learning Laboratories
RL&H is responsible for managing the residential landscape in which students perform the majority of their daily routines. Trash and Recycling, Pest Management, Room Amenities, Lounge Spaces, Community Kitchens, Laundry and Bathrooms all fall within RL&H's purview. Engage students in researching these aspects of daily life and designing sustainability solutions.		Residence Life and HousingDonna McGalliard
Mike Draughn
Brian Cohen 		1, 27, 33, 45, 46, 55, 60, 80Buildings
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Stream Health
Generate a macroinvertibrate index to determine the water quality of streams and ponds in Reynolda Gardens and on campus.		Reynolda Gardens
Amanda LanierWater
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Shuttle Driver Interviews
What can students learn about the campus shuttle system and themselves from interviews with shuttle drivers? 		TransportationAlex Crist
Jason Campbell		Transportation
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Technology for Pre-Trip Inspections
Transportation personel must inspect their vehicles before every shift. The recordkeeping system is currently paper based. A hands free, voice enabled digital records system would reduce paper usage, increase efficiency and make life easier for staff members. 		TransportationAlex Crist
Jason Campbell		37Transportation
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WFU Fleet Management Maintenance and Efficiency
Research the impact of preventative maintenance (PM) on the fuel economy of WFU Fleet vehicles (i.e. oil change, tire pressure, age of tires, etc.) How does Fleet Management dispose of used oil, filters and other ecologically hazardous waste? Is there technology available to reduce the amount of fossil fuel being utilized, etc.?		TransportationJim MontgomeryTransportation
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WFU Transportation Fuel Efficiency and Type
Evaluate the fuel efficiency of various fleet vehicles, research more efficient and alternative fuel options, and consider a plan for updating the fleet. 		TransportationJohn Shenette
Alex Crist		26, 37, 40, 49Transportation
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Employer Assisted Housing and Energy Audits
Research best practices for University-supported employer assisted housing programs. Such programs may reduce employee commute times, promote alternative transportation, ensure access to affordable housing, help employees build wealth and invest in sustainable home upgrades/renovations. 		Wake Forest PropertiesKen Basch31, 54, 79, 80HealthWellbeing&Work
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Short Rotation Coppicing
9, 17, 28
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Library Preservation
https://ipisustainability.org/index.html
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Eating with Purpose PlateBrooke Orr
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Transportation
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Supply Chain Transparency
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Rare Earth Metals (Peru)
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Sunscreen (Belize)
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BiocharAbdu Lachgar
Miles Silman
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Evaluate pollutants on parking lots and loading docks. Hosp & Aux hire a contractor to powerwash dock and collect the polluted water before it gets in the rain runoff.
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Impact of special events on the quad on soil quality and life (influx of flies resulting from beer and mud).
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The life of a shuttle driver - metrics
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