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Students design variety show, app to educate community about pollinators

Imagine Corps students display a project concept they plan to submit to the Conrad Challenge.

A group of students is innovating ways to generate buzz about the benefits of pollinators on local ecosystems.

Students involved in Imagine Corps, a youth innovation learning and service program, have developed both a project and an app that will demonstrate to the community the impacts of pollinator species. Called TheBuzz Pollinator Project, the effort aims to combine “hands-on learning and environmental action to help people understand the importance of pollinators.” Some of the students involved in the program are from Hopkinton, while others come from surrounding communities.

TheBuzz features three main components. First is its website, which features general information about the project and resources. The students also are developing an app called TheBuzz Garden that will map local pollinator gardens, offer seasonal planting guidance and connect users to real-world, actionable activities.

Another major component of TheBuzz is a variety show, open to the public, that is intended to showcase the importance and value of pollinators. The students will hold two kick-off sessions in March to meet with those interested in signing up to perform, and the show will be held at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts on May 17.

According to Imagine Corps founder Joe Gammal, the idea for TheBuzz first took root during a camp the organization hosted last summer. Imagine Corps partners with community groups and nonprofits annually for its programs. This most recent cohort is working with the Sustainable Green Committee, which offered the challenge.

“How do we get the ‘why’ of pollinators into the community?” Gammal said, summarizing the challenge offered by the SGC.

Gammal noted that all the work on the project has been led by the students, including the coding and aggregation of educational content that will go into TheBuzz app. He added that the group has submitted its project for the Conrad Challenge — an innovation competition for students. 

“If they’re a finalist, they’ll be going to Houston,” Gammal said.

TheBuzz variety show will coincide with the HCA’s Arts in Bloom exhibit this May. Gammal noted that the group is coordinating with Weston Nurseries and other community partners for additional support around the event.

“[The project] will hopefully motivate people to start their own pollinator gardens,” said Gammal.

— NICK SCHOFIELD

Latest News

Baypath Humane Society’s 14th annual Fur Ball Gala will be held March 27 at the Verve Hotel in Natick.

The Friends of Hopkinton will hold its next monthly meeting Monday in the basement of Town Hall.

Town meetings tonight include the Marathon Committee (7).

Photo of the Day

Sheets of ice form at the Hopkinton Reservoir. Click here for more photos.

PHOTO/AMIT JAGDALE