REFLECTION: WEEKS 13 & 14

Speedy-V (in her black hat) leading the pack to the Bagley Nature Area

Refection Weeks 13 &14

Overall, I found the last two weeks to be pretty fun! It was nice to finally get outside after talking about the environment all the time in this class! So here’s the overview:

Week 13

Last week during class, we watched “The Story of Stuff.” It covered all the stuff in our lives and how it affects communities at home and abroad. According to the website, “it is a 20-minute; fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns. It exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world.” Overall, it really made me think about all the junk that I have and how important it really is. I’m such a “pac rat” when it comes to my belongings but this movie made me realize how unnecessary all that random stuff is. Also, it made me think more about what I’m purchasing before I do.
Ok because here is my problem, I go to Target to get a few things and end up with a cart full-(I know I’m not the only one!) But at the checkout before my items cross the scanner I think to myself, Do I REALLY need this!?! And if the answer is no, then I don’t bother! This usually prevents me from buying all that random stuff.

Class photo taken at Bagley

Also, last Thursday we took an adventure through Bagley Nature Area. First of all, I’d like to say that I thought we were going for a little walk in the woods but I was wrong! We did an activity with compasses and learned how to correctly use them (red in the shed, and follow Fred) and how to navigate with them (leapfrog)! The last time I used a compass was probably in the 6th grade so I couldn’t even remember how to work it. But it was fun to go through the nature area and find the markings on the trees and to understand how to navigate through the woods. Through this activity I also learned what a speed walker Dr V was! Haha We started out by Sports and Health because we had to drop off our stuff and then she was off! Just kidding but we had a hard time keeping up with speedy-V! ;)

Week 14

This week we had the opportunity for Brian to come and talk about his experience in environmental health. I was kind of looking forward to Rae coming to talk about the Environmental Health and Safety program masters program at UMD but it was interesting to hear about Brian’s position on campus. And how he works with our sustainability coordinator Mindy Granley.

Followed by Brian we talked about our letters to our local representatives. It was interesting to try and prove to your representative why your bill should or should not be supported. I think it was a great activity for us to accomplish.
Lastly, we did a Junk Competition on Thursday’s class where we tried to come up with the best ways to repurpose some of the “junk” Dr V brought in. Seriously, this was so fun to try and out beat the other groups and their suggestions! I thought Group 1 has some high quality suggestions, overall;)
That’s all, hope everyone had as much fun as I did! Have a good weekend and we’ll see ya Tuesday=)