In the beginning of 2004, our team started the process of joining the Adopt-a-Highway program and by the end of the same year that idea was put into action. We adopted the section of Higbie Lane between Montauk Highway and Union Boulevard. It's a main thoroughfare in our town, and one Saturday morning a month a group of volunteers from our team are very visible for about three hours picking up the garbage on the sidewalks. So far, our team has spent hundreds of hours and collected over 2000 pounds of trash and recyclables. These Saturday mornings are a chance to spend time together as a team and an opportunity to discuss school and potential careers with our engineer mentors in a less formal setting.

This community service project has provided opportunities to reach out to our community. Our team sets up display tents at our annual Chamber of Commerce's Auto Show and the Bicentennial Committee's Country Fair where we show off our previous robots. While the children operate the robots, we get a chance to discuss the overall program with the parents as well as the technology programs within the school curriculum. In addition to the robots, we show off the student rebuilt golf cart and trailer. These vehicles are laden with our “implements of cleanliness,” to police the fair grounds and providing general assistance.

We decided to collect old ink cartridges and cell phones to recycle. The community has the opportunity to see the team's robot invention as its being built when they drop off their used ink cartridges and cell phones.

After the 'build season', the team sent off the collected items to EcoPhones. Founded in 2001, EcoPhones is a leader in cellular phone, ink jet printer cartridge, DVD movie, DVD video game, portable DVD player, laptop / notebook computer, MP3 player, digital picture frame, digital camera, digital video recorder, GPS device and video game console recycling & fundraising. They work with over 30,000 educational, civic and religious organizations throughout the United States, pioneering the large scale collection of electronic waste through its innovative EcoPhones Drive® concept.

EcoPhones' philosophy reflects a commitment to the environment and the community. In partnership with local organizations EcoPhones promotes consumer electronic waste awareness and community fundraisers across America. In addition, they take an active role in helping shape legislation already under consideration related to electronic waste.

http://www.keepislipclean.org/

http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/index.html