Gemstone Team Research

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/1903/9070

The Gemstone Program at the University of Maryland is a unique multidisciplinary four-year research program for selected undergraduate honors students of all majors. Under guidance of faculty mentors and Gemstone staff, teams of students design, direct and conduct significant research, often but not exclusively exploring the interdependence of science and technology with society. Gemstone students are members of a living-learning community comprised of fellow students, faculty and staff who work together to enrich the undergraduate experience. This community challenges and supports the students in the development of their research, teamwork, communication and leadership skills. In the fourth year, each team of students presents its research in the form of a thesis to experts, and the students complete the program with a citation and a tangible sense of accomplishment.

Browse

Author: search.filters.author.Albrecht, JessicaSubject: search.filters.subject.attitudes

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Trash: a local solution to a global problem
    (2012) Albrecht, Jessica; Broser, Blair; George, Brendan; Hii, Caleb; Nguyen, Vy; Patel, Rachana; Waseem, Najeff; Chen, Alex
    Waste management is a major concern for our world today. Landfills are unsustainable and have serious environmental, social, and economic consequences. To address the issue of waste, cities must design and implement sustainable waste management practices. Our research focuses on the city of Hyattsville, Maryland and the pilot program implemented in January 2010. We used a mixed methods approach to assess the effectiveness of Hyattsville's pilot program in reducing waste, promoting recycling, and changing residents' attitudes towards waste management. We also explored whether trash output is related to income level. Based on data collected on waste and recycling, we found that the pilot program was effective in reducing waste but had no effect on recycling and trash output does not seem to be correlated with income level. Based on an analysis of data from surveys, focus groups, and interviews, we conclude that residents are generally satisfied with the pilot program, but the program can be improved. We provide recommendations for the city of Hyattsville to increase the efficacy of the pilot program.