Calling all Eco-Reps!

I thought it would be fun to give a preview of a program we are working on for Fall of 2010. Eco-Reps are students who act as peer educators in the residence halls, promoting eco-friendly behaviors in daily life.

Part of the program involves the cohort of students attending weekly "classes" - one hour each week. I use the term classes very loosely because the program will not be set up like a typical classroom. Field trips will most definitely play a part in these sessions, such as going to see the recycling center at IWU and to meet John Lynn, master recycler. Videos and movies would also play a role in these "classes".

Another aspect of the program allows the students freedom to be creative! They could choose to make a video about electricity conservation, or design a Twitter campaign about student habits, or make a poster on carpooling. Whatever their chosen medium to communicate, the student would become the educator, sharing ideas and green lifestyle tips with fellow students.

The program would most likely be a one-semester commitment for the students, with less work during midterms and finals to allow more study time.

Additional details will be forthcoming as the program gets finalized. In the meantime, you might care to look at some other successful Eco-Rep programs at schools such as University of Vermont, or the original program started at Tufts University in 2001.