Outreach
High School Program
BACKGROUND
Solid waste management has recently become one of the most important aspects of climate change and sustainability. NASA aerial imaging of methane plumes starting in 2016 to the present has found that the single largest point source for methane emission are from solid waste landfills. This finding is so significant that the United Nations Conference on Climate Change has for the first time a separate session on the impact of the solid waste infrastructure on climate change (for the COB 27 in Egypt in 2022).
This program is collaborating with the National Science Foundation and NASA-Funded Autonomous Research Center for STEAM (ARCS) Solid Waste Management Infrastructure Study on Workers and Technology Together (WATT) at California State University Northridge
The program will provide student-organized field trips to operating recycling and other conversion technology facilities and solid waste landfills to learn about the solid waste infrastructure. Mentors from industry, regulatory agencies, academic institutions, and research organizations. Shadowing opportunities for students will be organized to provide students with an understanding of the various jobs and career opportunities in the solid waste management industry.
High school students will be provided opportunities to view and potentially work with CSUN ARCS research students on current projects that are re-defining the future of the solid waste management infrastructure, e.g., artificial intelligence, machine learning, digital twin, object detection, Internet-of-Things (IoT).
STUDENT PROJECT MANAGERS
Tyler Yao
Manager
PROJECT MENTORS
- NASA / CSUN ARCS: Dr. Nhut Ho (Director of NASA ARCS)
- City of Los Angeles Local Enforcement Agency: David Thompson (Program Manager); Megan Lee (Environmental Supervisor)
- County of Los Angeles Local Enforcement Agency: Dee Lugo (Chief)
- CSUN ARCS Researchers and Graduate Student Mentors: Mitesh Sawant (Engineering); Nitya Kumari (MBA), Fahima Arif (Engineering)
- EcoTelesis International: Eugene Tseng JD (Chief Technology Officer, Jocelyn Lin (General Counsel), Julie Hast (Senior Sustainability and Waste Management Specialist)
Gabrielino-Tongva Tribe (GTT): Tribal Chief Charles Alvarez
- Gary Petersen (Former Environmental Board Appointee to CalRecycle, appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Advisor-Greening of the White House (Clinton); Chairman of the Board of Green Seal)
- John Trotti (Former Editor, MSW Management Magazine, Industry Trade Magazine)
- Ryan Collins (Operations Manager, Eastern Regional Materials Recovery Facility, Placer County; NASA/ARCS Testing Facility)
RESEARCH AND OUTREACH PROJECT
Research
Students will be helping ARCS scientists to do data collection and analysis for landfill methane study. This project will use digital twins, machine learning, and AI technology to teach students to use the latest technology to solve environmental problems.
​
Outreach
Students will present an overview of municipal solid waste management to middle school students, not only about the process but also introducing different job opportunities in the field.
​
Leadership
Student managers are encouraged to start EcoTelesis Junior Chapter at their schools; mentors will provide information and training on leadership quality, public speaking, and organization skills.