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- Summer 2020
- Spring 2020
- African Community Education: Enhancing Alumni Engagement
- Audio Journal: Improving Media Access for Audio Journal’s Print Disabled Listeners
- Old Sturbridge Village: Creation and Distribution of Monetized Online Content for Old Sturbridge Village’s Virtual Village
- Worcester Community Action Council (WCAC): Identifying a Work Plan for Creating a Database and Online Platform for Youth Job Opportunities in Worcester
- Worcester Community Project Center: Celebrating 20 Years
- Worcester Red Sox: Persona Development for the Polar Park Mobile Application
- Summer 2019
- Spring 2019
- Creating a Data Collection Tool for Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester
- Friendly House: Developing Comprehensive Recommendations to Improve Thermal Comfort
- I AM Dress for Success Worcester: A Video Campaign
- Quinsigamond Community College: Providing Recommendations for Project-Based Learning Implementations
- Seven Hills Foundation: Facilitating Effective Communication
- Worcester Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS): Marketing Campaign for Stigma Free Worcester
- Winter 2019
- Advertising for Advocates: A Project to Bolster Volunteer Recruitment for CASA Worcester County
- Mechanics Hall: Renovation Revival
- Park Spirit of Worcester, Inc.: Evaluating Environmental Justice and Organizational Partnerships for Green Space in Worcester, MA
- Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary: Establishing Engineering in Elementary Instruction
- Fall 2018
- Summer 2018
- Spring 2018
- Abby’s House: An Effective Waste Management Plan for Abby’s House
- Seven Hills Foundation: Assistive Technology Exposition with Planning Guide & Toolkit
- The Boys & Girls Club of Worcester: Developing a STEAM Strategy for the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester
- Worcester Art Museum – Mobile Website
- Worcester Division Of Public Health: Accentuating Accessible Recreation in the Greater Worcester Community
- Winter 2018
- Fall 2017
- Summer 2017
- Spring 2017
- Northborough Composting: A Peri-Urban Land Conflict
- Revealing Worcester’s Hidden Gem: Promoting the East-West Trail
- Seven Hills Foundation: Improving Efficiency for Community Outing Planning
- Worcester Art Museum: Interactive Media in the Medieval Exhibit
- YMCA of Central Massachusetts: Communication at the YMCA
- Winter 2017
- Fall 2016
- Summer 2016
- Spring 2016
- Habitat for Humanity (HFH): Management of Volunteers and Build Sites Using Technology
- Seven Hills Foundation: Increasing the Accessibility of Assistive Technology
- Worcester Art Museum: Engaging the Visitor with Digital Technology
- YMCA of Central Massachusetts: Helping the Y to Further Integrate Newcomer Populations through Community Engagement & Encouragement
- Winter 2016
- Abby’s House: 40th Anniversary Video
- Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester: Marketing and Recruiting College Student Volunteers
- Seven Hills Foundation: Assistive Technology Intervention Process
- Worcester Art Museum: Family Accessibility
- Worcester Regional Food Hub: Profitability of a Commercial Kitchen
- Fall 2015
- Spring 2015
- Winter 2015
- Blackstone Canal District Alliance: Combined Sewer Overflow in the Blackstone Canal
- Dismas House: Micro-Wind Turbine Feasibility Study
- Habitat for Humanity ReStore: Weight Estimation Method
- Seven Hills Foundation: Assistive Technology Kit
- Shalom Neighborhood Center: Resource Guide for Immigrants and Refugees
- Worcester Art Museum: Renaissance [remastered] Gallery Evaluation
- Fall 2014
- Spring 2014
- Worcester Earn-A-Bike: Creating an Adaptive Bicycle
- Cost Analysis for Implementing MS4 Permit in Towns of Central Massachusetts
- ReStore Volunteers: A ‘Hand Up’ for the Worcester Community
- Worcester Art Museum: Developing Third Spaces
- Worcester Historical Museum: An Interactive Redesign of the Fuller Gallery
- Fall 2013
- Compliance of Central Massachusetts Municipalities with Stormwater Regulations
- Educational and Interactive Miniature Golf Course for Worcester Historical Museum
- Expanding the Massachusetts Watershed Coalition’s catalog of stormwater Best Management Practices
- Marketing and Fundraising with the African Community Education Program
- Phase II MS4 Permit: Improving Central Massachusetts Stormwater Management
- Worcester Art Museum: Creation of a Green Cafe
- Spring 2013
- Winter 2013
- Fall 2012
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Abby’s House: An Effective Waste Management Plan for Abby’s House
The goal of this project was to implement an effective waste management system for Abby’s House that included recycling, was cost effective, and promoted personal responsibility and independence among the residents. To manifest these goals our group held in person interviews with staff and residents, met with waste haulers and analyzed their services and costs based on the needs of Abby’s House, analyzed post-renovation floor plans to determine indoor bin needs, and designated responsibilities for trash and recycling throughout the building. The project resulted in a comprehensive plan for post-renovation waste management that met all the above listed project goals and put an end to the confusion and ongoing conflict with regards to waste management at Abby’s House.
Executive Summary Final Report Final Presentation
Project Sponsor: Abby’s House
Abby’s House is a local non-profit organization which focuses on assisting women by providing shelter, food, and developmental programs to women in need. Our group worked closely with two women from Abby’s House, Stephanie Page (Executive Director) and Glamedys Rodriguez (Director of Housing). Stephanie Page has been the Executive Director since 2014, and Glamedys Rodriguez the Director of Housing since early 2017. Both women worked closely with our team throughout the seven-week term to ensure a succesful and valuable project for Abby’s House.
Student Researchers
Our team is composed of three students from Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Jackson Whitehouse: Aerospace Engineering ’19
Sofia Giansiracusa: Biology/Biotechnology ’19
Matt Araujo: Biology/Biotechnology (Pre-Veterinary) ’19
From Left to Right: Jackson Whitehouse, Sofia Giansiracusa, and Matt Araujo
Project Goals and Objectives
This project aimed to assist Abby’s House residents, staff, and volunteers by cooperating with stakeholders to create and recommend a waste management system that intended to strengthen group dynamic, maintain a clean and hospitable living environment, and promote personal responsibility and empowerment. The following objectives served as milestones throughout the project.
- Assess current waste management system and identify areas needing improvement
- Analyze basic waste flow within 52 High Street
- Identify social dynamics regarding waste
- Identify the most appropriate local waste haulers for Abby’s House
- Identify waste management options for stakeholders
- Analyze post-renovation floor plans
- Draft educational literature
Project Photos