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Schandra Madha: From Compost to Community in Connecticut

Provided by: Project Drawdown |Published on: January 11, 2024

Videos

9101112AP

Synopsis

This video and discussion questions explore Schandra Madha's work with a community composting system and farm in New Haven, Connecticut, waste management challenges within the city, and why community engagement improves societal health and self-validation.
Students will listen to Schandra's story and discuss mental health, identity, and creative solutions.
Schandra is a role model for students from queer or Muslim backgrounds.

Related Teaching Resources

Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences, Health, Career Skills

Authors: Project Drawdown

Region: North America, USA - Northeast, United States, Connecticut

Languages: English

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Teaching Materials

Positives

Schandra has an interesting background and story that will inspire students to persevere.
In the interview, the two speakers thoughtfully discuss the concept of environmental justice.

Additional Prerequisites

It may help students to understand how compost functions as a carbon sink and its other benefits.
It may benefit students to understand the issues and challenges the LGBT+ community faces.

Differentiation

This video can accompany a brainstorming session where students consider different ways to fight climate change at the community level.
Teachers can use this video as a conceptual introduction to environmental justice.
This resource can support research and a discussion where students consider composting in their community.
This video can enhance a lesson on the need for city-supported composting efforts.

Scientist Notes

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Resource Type and Format

About the Partner Provider

Project Drawdown

Project Drawdown is a nonprofit organization that seeks to help the world reach “drawdown”—the future point in time when levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere stop climbing and start to steadily decline. Cities, universities, corporations, philanthropies, policymakers, communities, educators, activists, and more turn to Project Drawdown as they look to advance effective climate action. Project Drawdown resources for educators include the database of Drawdown Solutions, educational video series Climate Solutions 101, the Drawdown Stories initiative, and more.

Related Teaching Resources

All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.