Surveying Sustainability

Reflection on SPARC project findings

February 8, 2024

Environmental Sustainability, one of the topics a group of students in the class looked into for their final project. In the group was Mackenzie Higgins ‘24, Michelle Elliott ‘25, Ella Chester ‘24, Ruhi Kurdikar ‘25 and Sarah Hsia ‘25. This group researched how the community views environmental sustainability. Based on the SPARC survey, they found ways to educate and better practices for the community. The group also created a word cloud as a method of research for their project. The word cloud was filled with words students think of when they think about environmental sustainability. The group explored discrepancy of community intent and actions, and the discrepancy of community priorities. At the end of their presentation the group came up with recommendations for classes incorporating environmental sustainability into their curriculums, students having more exposure to the topic, more attention to the issue, empower students, add new core values or add to one of the existing core values like respect.

Social Studies teacher Dion Crushon taught the Identities and Representations elective first semester. This elective merges previous social studies electives: Class and Race in the U.S, Gender Studies and SPARC (School Participatory Action Research Coalition). The goal of the elective is to take a deeper dive into the multiple identities that make up our community. In this elective the students participated in the SPARC partner program. SPARC is a program through the University of Pennsylvania which allows students to analyze the school’s climate through the lens of diversity, equality and inclusion through a variety of social science qualitative research projects. The SPARC survey was sent out to the whole upper school on Nov. 14. The survey consisted of questions around topics that pertained to the school. The topics were, “Environmental Sustainability, Discussion of Sensitive topics, Religious Holidays Support & Representation, Curriculum & Content in World Literature/World History (9th grade), and Student Spaces, Belonging and Mental Health, The findings from these projects were presented to the Head of School Dr. Anne Stavney as well as other administrators. In these presentations students proposed new initiatives and programs for the school: Spaces and Study Spaces (Kristian Baker ‘25, Zack Gartner ‘25, Maya Omar ‘24, Miguel Quinetro ‘25), Discussion of Sensitive Topics (Ali Hecker ‘24, Mara Noel ‘24, Grayson Okoronkwo ‘24, Eleanor Loew ‘24, Alex Won ‘24).

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About the Contributors

Cleo Kilpatrick, Editor Emerita

Hi, my name is Cleo, I'm a senior and began writing for Spectrum as a freshman. Last semester, I was the Variety, Photo, and Social Media Editor. I love taking photos and capturing fun moments with people. Outside of school my favorite things are running and spending time with friends and family.

Mackenzie Higgins, Editor Emerita

Hi, my name is Mackenzie and I am a senior this year! I have been writing for Spectrum since my freshman year and last semester, I was a Co-Editor-in-Chief along with the Creative Director and the Front Editor. This semester, I'm helping out with the features page. My favorite part of Spectrum is connecting with the school community and working with others in the newsroom. Outside of Spectrum and school, you can find me skiing, watching Criminal Minds, or drinking cold brew.

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