​志工機會

The Chinese American Student Alliance (CASA) at Suzanne Middle School – This year’s project: Our plan is to work with a local recycling company to collect kitchen waste from community residents and convert it into high-quality organic soil. We have already proposed this idea to the principal in a meeting, hoping the school can provide a piece of land on campus to be transformed into an organic farm. Students will design and install an automated irrigation system themselves. The recycling company will supply various vegetable and fruit seeds, and students will be responsible for year-round planting, using sensors to record soil temperature, humidity, and plant growth data. After harvest, we will collaborate with the city government to distribute the organic produce to residents free of charge, encouraging more families to grow their own food while promoting the importance of composting and environmental protection. This project is not just about “growing vegetables.” It combines Community Service (helping residents, promoting environmental awareness), Environmental Science (recycling kitchen waste, cultivating organic soil, monitoring data), and Engineering Design (student-developed automated irrigation system). Under the guidance of Mr. Lu, our student team will use this project to compete in three major categories of SkillsUSA. We hope this initiative will help more people understand the value of recycling and turn waste into green resources that benefit the community. Of course, the entire process will also require the help and support of parent volunteers to succeed. ⸻ What is SkillsUSA? SkillsUSA is a nationwide career and technical student organization in the United States, dedicated to hosting skills competitions, workplace readiness training, and leadership activities for middle school, high school, technical school, and college students. Its core mission is to help students develop skills in three main areas: Technical Skills – such as engineering design, environmental science, culinary arts, automotive repair, construction, agricultural technology, and more. Workplace Skills – teamwork, communication, time management, problem-solving, and other essential professional abilities. Personal Skills – leadership, responsibility, work ethic, and self-confidence. ⸻ 📍 Competition Scope Every year, SkillsUSA organizes the SkillsUSA Championships, with more than 100 events in areas such as: • Engineering & Industrial Technology • Health & Public Safety • Agriculture & Natural Resources • Arts, Media & Communications • Business & Leadership ⸻ 📍 Competition Process Local or school-level contest State contest National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC) Some events even allow winners to represent the U.S. in international skills competitions. ⸻ 📍 Why participate in SkillsUSA? • Strengthen technical and innovative abilities • Improve teamwork and leadership skills • Apply knowledge to real-world projects • Gain a competitive edge in college applications and career opportunities