UW Environmental Studies looking for capstone projects

close up of hand holding notebook

The UW Environmental Studies program is looking for organizations to host Capstone Interns for Winter 2023. The Capstone is an opportunity for undergraduate students to take their education into the world beyond the classroom by doing hands-on work and answering researchable questions pertaining to the project. 

A site supervisor at the partner organization helps define the responsibilities of the student(s), monitors progress toward goals, reviews drafts, and provides direction and assistance. In addition, the site supervisor:

Student teams research the environmental impact of UW's air travel

Presenters from UW Travel in front of their projected presentation.

As a major research institution, the UW has a global impact, and many faculty and staff members regularly travel by air. Just how far, and the carbon impact of all that travel, was until recently something the UW could only estimate. Over the past year, the Sustainability Office has been working with student teams to gather the UW's travel data, quantify our air travel carbon footprint, and make recommendations. The student teams also interviewed faculty and staff to learn about campus attitudes towards travel.

Environmental Studies students present capstone projects

UW Environmental Studies majors gathered in Alder Hall last week to present their capstone projects, which ranged from in-depth looks at millennials’ involvement in environmental advocacy to research on improving our connectedness with nature.

“I’m always impressed by students,” said capstone instructor Sean McDonald. “They apply their environmental degree to the professional world.”