Sustainability and the Environment: "Dan and Leah's Internship Report"

Internship Analyzing Carbon Emissions from Transportation

For four weeks I built up a massive database and never seemed to get away from my computer, always entering in information or creating more calculations. Eventually, I was able to peel my eyes off of the bright screen and really see the mass amounts of data I analyzed and collected, making myself proud of my accomplishments. 
 I was tasked with the project of calculating the carbon emissions from transportation for the Monteverde Friends School to help them reach their goal of carbon neutrality and presenting the results. By doing this, the school would have the information necessary to make an educated decision about creating a more sustainable transportation plan or how much carbon is needed to offset their emissions.



I chose this internship to build up my research background and to understand in depth how much carbon vehicles are guilty of spewing into the air. I wanted to gain experience in data gathering and analysis, and I received more than enough information than I could ever wish to know about the commute of all 135 people to the school.
 By surveying parents and teachers, I was able to practice my Spanish and learn the process of what goes into a great questionnaire. Although we had to follow up with many parents about missing information we needed, we were able to get over 90% of the school in our emissions calculations. Perhaps the most important lesson of all, I learned to check my work multiple times over and asked another person to look it over too.

There were small errors to be fixed that are easily missed in such an expansive database and it was pertinent that this was as precise as possible so the school could make accurate adjustments to ensure they are offsetting the correct amount of carbon. 
 I created beautiful graphs and astounding numbers, but I am most proud looking at the database. These hand crafted calculations and carefully selected assumptions are exemplary of my hours slaving over the computer and none of our end results would have been possible without this. I find beauty and release in that grueling database; I would not take back my experience for the world. It taught me not only about the science of carbon emissions, but it spoke to my capabilities as a scientist as well. 
 I catch myself looking at cars every day and wondering about what the year, make and model are of each vehicle. I run over the possible miles per gallon in my head as I flash back to the rows and rows of calculations. If I was asked in high school if I had the skill set necessary to accomplish this, I would have said no. I never thought of myself as being mathematically inclined, but now I have seen the accomplishments that are possible if I just try my hand at a task. I am encouraging myself to not be dejected when positions require skills that I believe I don’t have because I can always teach myself something new by working hard enough.