Sustainability

Most people with access to a 3D printer find themselves creating small objects or gadgets. But one student group working at the MIX at George Mason University each Friday is driven by a different dream.

“We build, design, test and plan to compete in solar-powered car competitions,” said Michael Riggi, president of Mason’s solar car team, HyperNova Solar. “[We believe] our car, when complete, will be the world’s first and only 3D-printed solar car.”

Mason’s 17 Rooms-U Initiative brought together Mason faculty, staff and students, along with community members, stakeholders and other external partners, in a virtual format to discuss sustainability goals.

The installation of the first Bigbelly zero waste station on George Mason University’s Fairfax Campus aligns with the university’s waste reduction commitment and draws attention to how single-use consumption and disposal is connected to negative environmental outcomes.

Showcasing a collection of more than 100 native and non-native trees and shrubs, the George Mason University Arboretum earned Level II accreditation from ArbNet, the only international accreditation program specific to arboreta.

During the month of April, the students in George Mason University’s Sustainability in Action course (EVPP 480) were incredibly busy making a difference on and off campus.

The CO2 enters the atmosphere and causes the outgoing “thermal” radiation, which is naturally emitted by the Earth, to be reflected to Earth.

Sophia Chapin was the Honors College Multimedia Communications Intern from 2019 to 2021, during which time she improved the quality of Honors College student-, public-, and alumni- facing communications.

Ben Rhoades was involved with sustainability and environmental justice at Mason and is putting these commitments into practice as a Watershed Specialist for the Reston Association.

George Mason University students are finalizing their plans for the Virginia Environmental Justice Summit, a conference intended to engage students from Virginia and beyond on issues pertaining to the intersection of sustainability, the environment, race and social justice. The conference will be held virtually on March 27.