Program offers high school students chance to learn innovation, sustainability

May 30, 2012

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — UF Young Entrepreneurs for Leadership & Sustainability, a summer program for high school students, is launching a new pilot program this summer.

The Gainesville Summer Service Project allows high school students in the Gainesville area to learn about innovation and sustainability while serving as volunteers with local organizations. It also provides an opportunity for students to fulfill community service requirements. Students earn 100 community service hours upon the program’s completion.

The five-week project spans from June 25 to July 27 during weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lunch, snacks and drinks are provided each day. It will be partnering with local restaurants, so food is produced as locally as possible and waste will be composted with Gainesville Compost.

It is sponsored by the Innovative Sustainability & Social Entrepreneurship Initiative, the Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at the Warrington College of Business Administration and the University of Florida’s Office of Sustainability & Center for Leadership & Service.

The program will partner with two local nonprofits this year: Rebuilding Together North Central Florida/Community Weatherization Coalition, a home repair organization, and Forage Farm at Alachua Conservation Trust’s Prairie Creek Preserve.

The program will cost $1,250 for students to participate.

Interested students can apply at http://ufyoungentrepreneurs.org/gssp or fill out an interest form at http://eepurl.com/l3rgL for updates.

For more information, please visit http://ufyoungentrepreneurs.org/gsspor contact program director Kristin Joos or program assistant Brittney Beck at gssp@ufyoungentrepreneurs.org or call 352-273-0355.