Sophomore Participates in Summer EcoLeader Academy

Sophomore Rana Osuri-Gershon participated in this summer's EcoLeader Academy through Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.

This seven-week course provides an opportunity for high school students to gain knowledge of the many facets of environmental science: ecosystems, human health, policy, climate change, food and agriculture, energy, pollution, environmental justice issues, local to global impacts, sustainability and green careers.

Participants took classes to learn about different aspects of environmental science and completed a group project. Rana's project focused on urbanization. His cohort created a two-sided community example—one side demonstrating the effects of trees, clean water, solar panels, and one side that lacked trees and had polluted air and water and fossil fuel energy. 

Rana said he has been interested in sustainability throughout his Pine-Richland career. "I don't think enough people our age know or even care about the environment as they should," said Rana. "It's in our hands to better the environment for the future."

He is interested in pursuing a career in environmental engineering, pairing his strengths in engineering and technology with his interest in helping the environment.

Learn more about Rana's experience at the EcoLeader Academy in this audio interview with Youth Express.