Celebrating our 2024/2025 Youth Interns!
We're proud to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our youth interns in this year's TTPW Youth Internship Program! Many of our students are now in their third year with us, and we've witnessed their transformation from enthusiastic participants into the environmental leaders we work alongside today. Their dedication, resilience, and passion inspire us every day.
Our program aims to provide students with practical learning through meaningful involvement, nurture their sense of responsibility and stewardship, and develop them into a new cohort of environmental leaders.
Last year we focused on plastics in schools and advocacy. This year we expanded significantly, integrating our students into all different aspects of our work at TTPW to broaden their knowledge and experience across multiple environmental areas: the 4R's (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), citizen science water testing, composting, trees and land stewardship, and green energy.
Recycling success: From Advocacy to Action
Following lobbying efforts by our student activists, the Port Washington School District launched a comprehensive recycling program this fall! To support this milestone, our interns created "Port Recycle'em," an engaging music video designed to educate students district-wide about proper recycling practices.
On September 20, 2024, our Youth Activists debuted their music video and delivered student-composed "Reduce Waste" presentations to all five Port Washington elementary schools. In a single day, we reached over 2,330 children, teaching them the importance of recycling and single-use plastic reduction. The music video also played in middle school homerooms, extending our impact across the district.
Plastic-Free Advocacy: Persistence in Action
Despite the school district committing to plastic-free cafeterias last year, single-use plastics—including plastic water bottles—returned to school lunch programs this year. Our determined students refused to give up. They wrote multiple letters, attended board meetings, and made some progress, though the district ultimately declined to implement plastic-free lunch days or eliminate most single-use plastics.
Undeterred, our Plastics team expanded their impact through consciousness-raising projects. Students worked independently to document waste at the Baxter's Pond catch basin and collaborate with the Baxter Pond Foundation on community education through social media, as well as publish an article in the Schreiber Times about water refill stations in the high school.
Water Quality Citizen Scientists
Our Water Quality team dove deep into the science behind healthy waterways, developing expertise that they eagerly shared with the community. After creating a comprehensive reference guide covering essential water quality terms and testing procedures, the team brought their knowledge to the Port Washington Public Library for a well-attended community presentation.
The interactive workshop drew engaged community members who learned why water quality matters, observed live testing demonstrations, and discovered practical ways to protect our local water bodies. The presentation was such a success that the team has now developed a teen-focused version, creating a valuable template for future community outreach. Through this project, our young scientists not only mastered complex environmental concepts but also honed their public speaking skills while educating neighbors about protecting Port Washington's precious water resources.
Composting: Growing Awareness
Students wrote an article about composting for the Schreiber Times and created engaging YouTube videos featuring interviews with local home composters. intern compost video. Their library workshop for grades 2-5 brought environmental science to life, with children learning hands-on about composting and vermiculture while discovering the joy of environmental stewardship.
Trees and Land: Preservation in Practice
Our Trees and Land team partnered with the Science Museum of Long Island to contribute meaningfully to local forest restoration. They worked with specialists to learn about and help remove invasive species and plant native alternatives, directly supporting biodiversity in our community's natural spaces.
Clean Energy: From Carbon Track to Advocacy
Our clean energy team met with Brian Graham, Head of Facilities and Grounds at the school district, to collect comprehensive data on the energy consumption and habits of schools within the district. Using this data, they utilized the CURE 100 carbon tracker, originally designed for personal home use, and adapted it to fit the context of a school environment. They then created a detailed slideshow presentation to share findings and promote energy efficiency in schools.
On Wednesday, March 5th, nine of our Youth Activists joined nearly 700 youth from across the state in Albany for a powerful Day of Climate Action organized by TREEAGE and New York Renews. Our youth united with others across the state to demand urgent action on climate change and fight for climate justice. They participated in rallies and met with state representatives to advocate for meaningful climate solutions.
Looking Forward
While we've achieved tremendous success, our environmental work continues to evolve. We're thrilled that all current interns are eager to return next year, demonstrating the program's lasting impact on young environmental leaders.