Mackenzie H
- Research Program Mentor
MS at Ecole Nationale Supérieure d'Agronomie de Montpellier
Expertise
Environmental Sciences (agriculture, plant biology, ecology, etc), Arts - dance or creative writing, Business Topics, and Sustainability of environmental, social, and economic topics. Solar energy development as well.
Bio
Hello! Bonjour! My name is Mackenzie. Last year, I wrapped up my graduate degree in viticulture and enology (fancy terms for wine science) in the South of France and Italy. As fun as this sounds, I am really focused on finding solutions to reduce the strain that agriculture and energy production puts on our environment. Because of this, I study greenhouse gas emissions, water/CO2 footprints, environmental engineering, and any innovative solution looking to push us towards SUSTAINABILITY. Previously, I have guided students projects in industrial agricultural pollution, the discrimination that female farmers face in Africa, water pollution solutions, how to clean up a park in someone's home town, carbon footprints, carbon market loopholes, sustainable production & consumption, and so much more. Last year, I worked at a sustainable winery and then a lithium-ion energy storage company (I like to keep things interesting!). But, when it came time to graduate and take on my first full-time job, I was thrilled to start in solar energy maintenance and operations. I monitor the performance of huge solar arrays and use data analysis to determine if they are producing efficiently. You would be amazed to hear some of the stories that cause solar panels to break... munching sheep... lightning... aggressive birds! By day, I run thousands of megawatts of renewable energy. By night, I like to teach yoga, read, and stay artistic. I am also interested in poetry and creative writing. I think this gives me my edge in editing and publication of student research. Polygence also employs me as a "Showcasing Specialist" where I specifically help students publish their projects in journals. Recently, Polygence has invited me to teach a Pod (six session focus group course) I designed called "Nature Is Our Solution: Learn how we can leverage nature-based technologies to sequester carbon and fight climate change." I am excited to meet you and help you develop a project!Project ideas
Potential Solutions to Reduce the Environmental Footprint of My High School
Most of what we do as humans causes some effect on the environment. With the way we live now, our greenhouse-gas-emissions, water-use, and waste-creation (just to name a few) put an unhealthy strain on our environment. Fortunately, there are ways to calculate these metrics for a given place or process and later identify hotspot issues. From there, we can come up with action plans and more sustainable solutions. For this project, it is advised that the student start by identifying common streams of inputs and outputs at their school. For example, a student can note inputs like supplies, food, water and even energy sources like the gas for heating or school buses. Outputs like food waste, flushing toilets, and all those old homework papers can be noted, too. The student will attempt to quantify and analyze all these streams… especially focusing on potential hotspots like energy/CO2 emissions. Data may be available (monthly fuel for buses, building heating bills) or some data could be collected by the student (average portion of lunch food thrown away). The student should practice creating data tables and graphs, and most importantly, interpreting these results. Finally, the student should do thorough research to discover and present innovative solutions to reduce the environmental strain of their school. Most likely, there would be a written deliverable for this project; but, it could also be a great opportunity for the student to visually present this project to a principal, teachers, or school board. In summary, the student will gain knowledge about issues and solutions relating to environmental sustainability. In addition, the student will gain tangible skills in calculating environmental metrics, collecting data, and creating descriptive visuals like advanced graphs. The project can be altered to fit a student’s needs and interests.
How to Drive Sustainable Production and Consumption from a Niche Trend to a Mainstream Movement
This sustainability-focused project will begin with the student investigating all aspects of climate change, global warming science, environmentalism, supply chain, logistics, and business that interest them. The mentor will use the first handful of sessions to guide the student's learning by leveraging readings, videos, discussions, and HW (no busy work!) assignments. The student will then create an online which touches on each of their most passionate topics. The student will use readings and discussions with the mentor to grow their research, eventually completing a grand research paper ready for publication. It is also important the paper culminates in the student's summary of the best path forward for a more sustainable future in this topic. This project is extremely flexible and is easily altered for every student's wishes.
Why the Climate Change Fight needs Carbon Capture, Storage, and Utilization
Did you know that we can capture CO2 from the air and turn it back into fuel? This renewable energy and sustainability-focused project will begin with the student investigating all aspects of climate change, global warming science, environmentalism, carbon chemistry, and carbon capture-related topics that interest them. The mentor will use the first handful of sessions to guide the student's learning by leveraging readings, videos, discussions, and HW (no busy work!) assignments. For this more scientifically advanced topic, many university research articles will be read and discussed. The student will then create an online which touches on each of their most passionate topics. The student will use readings and discussions with the mentor to grow their research, eventually completing a grand research paper ready for publication. It is also important the paper culminates in the student's summary of the best path forward for a more sustainable future in this topic. Carbon capture technology has many pros and cons. The student will evaluate these in-depth. This project is extremely flexible and is easily altered for every student's wishes and level.
Investigating Carbon Markets: Mechanisms, Economics, and Implementation Strategies for a Sustainable Future
This economics, policy, and sustainability-focused project will begin with the student investigating all aspects of climate change, global warming science, environmentalism, business, and economics that interest them. The mentor will use the first handful of sessions to guide the student's learning by leveraging readings, videos, discussions, and HW (no busy work!) assignments. The student will then create an online which touches on each of their most passionate topics--most likely including topics on current carbon market types with real-world examples. The student will use readings and discussions with the mentor to grow their research notes, eventually completing a grand research paper ready for publication. It is also important the paper culminates in the student's summary of the best path forward for a more sustainable future of carbon markets globally. This project is extremely flexible and is easily altered for every student's wishes and level.
How can environmental initiatives improve wellbeing for impoverished individuals in America with a focus on reducing environmental inequality
This environmental and well-being project will begin with the student investigating all aspects of climate change, environmental activism, phycology, and well-being topics that interest them. The mentor will use the first handful of sessions to guide the student's learning by leveraging readings, videos, discussions, and HW (no busy work!) assignments. The student will then create an online which touches on each of their most passionate topics.. The student will use readings and discussions with the mentor to grow their research notes, eventually completing a grand research paper ready for publication. It is also important the paper culminates in the student's summary of the best path forward for a more sustainable future by using environmental initiatives to enhance mental health. This project is extremely flexible and is easily altered for every student's wishes and level.
