LCPS middle school students from a STEM summer camp, run by LCPS partner Orblynx Academy and focusing on sustainability, had the unique opportunity of visiting Amazon Headquarters, or HQ2, in Arlington, VA on Friday, Aug. 1. More than 50 campers took part in the experience, designed to connect their classroom learning with real-world innovation.
Superintendent Aaron Spence, who also participated in the visit, thanked Amazon for being a great partner to LCPS, including through their support of Loudoun Education Foundation’s Fueled program, which provides weekend meals to LCPS students in need and through their support of the Think Big Space, which provides additional STEM learning in schools.
Referencing that day’s visit, Dr. Spence said: “Opportunities like this allow our students to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world possibilities after graduation. They begin to see how their passions, the subjects they’re most excited about, can translate into meaningful careers and lasting impact. We’re grateful for Amazon’s continued support in helping our students explore, connect and envision their future.”
Prior to the visit, the students participated in a two-week summer camp in which they learned about sustainable practices, in particular, how to repurpose and reuse materials. The goal of the visit to Amazon HQ2 was to bring together the sustainable practices they learned during the camp with actual sustainability scenarios as championed by Amazon.
“Through our partnership with Amazon and the visit to HQ2, the students connected classroom learning to authentic applications, illustrating real-world sustainability solutions,” said Ferri Riar, president and CEO of Orblynx Academy.
During their visit to HQ2, the students learned, through a panel discussion with Amazon sustainability experts, about the sustainable practices Amazon employs, including using cleaned wastewater to cool data centers and repurposing materials from technical projects.
The student also had the opportunity to participate in a hands-on STEM activity. Using an electronic tablet and a simple coding program, the student manipulated small robots to pick up “trash,” or in this case, LEGO pieces. An Amazon staffer explained that in real life similar robots are being used to remove trash from waterways, such as Mr. Trash Wheel, a trash interceptor that removes trash from Baltimore's Inner Harbor.
The Amazon HQ2 building itself is also a great example of sustainable construction and design. The students and visiting LCPS staff toured portions of the building, which is recognized for having lower energy costs than comparable buildings and for its use of native plants in surrounding gardens and on its roofs and terraces.
As a thank you for the visit and the partnership with Amazon, LCPS students and Orblynx donated a bench made of mycelium. Students at Belmont Ridge, with guidance from Orblynx, have been working with mycelium, thread-like structures that make up part of a fungus, for the past five years. Mycelium is a recognized alternative to plastics and is known to be both durable and biodegradable. Five LCPS students – Elham Fakhro, Lana Fakhro, Olivia Nugent, Mahsa Riar and Katarina Walordy– created and presented the bench, saying it was the result of more than 600 hours of work and dedication. In addition to crafting the bench, which also has repurposed metal legs and a hand-crafted bamboo frame, the students painted the bench with milk paint, a natural paint made of milk proteins, with a design that paid homage to the unique design of HQ2.
Amazon Community Engagement Manager Wilberte Paul, who guided the day’s activities, said she was extremely impressed with the bench and delighted to be a part of Amazon’s continued support of LCPS. “We have a very special relationship with Loudoun County Public Schools. We are privileged and honored to be able to host you,” she said.