SPRING ISSUE 🪸 Minerva Sustainability Newsletter: Tellus Mater
Tellus Mater Issue 11, April 2025
April 2025, Issue #11
Editors’ Note
Dear Community,
Welcome to April—and to the final issue for this academic year! As we approach the end of another memorable year at Minerva, we want to express our gratitude for your support of Tellus Mater—whether by sending in beautiful poems, participating in interviews, or simply reading along each month.
This year’s journey has been filled with exciting developments in Minerva’s sustainability efforts. Alongside our beloved Climate Week tradition, Minervans collaborated on SDG Week with events across San Francisco, Seoul, and Buenos Aires. From clean-ups and thrift swaps to film screenings and meaningful conversations, SDG Week united us around shared values—and we hope to see that spirit continue to thrive in the years ahead.
Echoing these efforts, Tellus Mater grew too, welcoming new team members and expanding its publications, reflecting just how much the community has flourished throughout the 2024–25 academic year.
As summer nears, whether you're diving into new opportunities, wandering off into nature, or slowing down with loved ones, we encourage you to carry this energy with you.
As always, we’d love to hear from you—whether it’s an idea for next year or something exciting this summer, drop us a note via the Tell Us, Mate! Form. 💛
Editors,
Amelie, Aru, Boss, and Nara
Featured Community Stories
🌿 Looking Back on Minerva’s Climate x SDG Week
As the semester winds down, it’s the perfect moment to reflect on what we achieved together during Minerva’s Climate x SDG Week. More than just a series of events, it was a shared commitment to raising awareness, building community, and exploring meaningful actions around the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and the urgent issue of climate change.
From in-person activities to virtual discussions, students, staff, and faculty came together to spotlight sustainability in its many forms.
🌱 Daily SDG Spotlights, led by Prof. Dosmann, offered quick, accessible insights into global challenges—and reminded us how interconnected these goals are. Each post nudged us to think critically about the small choices we make and the larger systems we’re part of. If you missed Community Portal posts, you can refer back to them using the links below:
SDG of the Day 1: Sustainable Cities and Communities
SDG of the Day 2: Climate Action
SDG of the Day 3: Quality Education
SDG of the Day 4: Life Below Water
SDG of the Day 5: Responsible Consumption and Production
SDG of the Day 6: Good Health and Well-being
🎬 Virtual Gatherings made space for discussion and connection. Whether you joined the Sustainability Film Fest, attended a talk on the Minerva Sustainability Lab, or voted in the art competition, your voice added depth and energy to the week.
🥕 On-the-Ground Activities brought sustainability to life. From cooking vegan meals and organizing swap events, to showcasing artwork and ideas, the Seoul community especially came together to reflect Minerva’s values through hands-on engagement.
This year’s SDG Week built on Minerva’s commitment to sustainability as something ethical, locally grounded, and globally relevant. And perhaps more importantly, it reminded us of the power of collective effort—of what can happen when we show up with curiosity and intention.
To everyone who hosted, attended, contributed, or simply took a moment to reflect: thank you. You helped shape something meaningful. 💚
And, of course, let’s see how it went—scroll on for pictures from Climate Week across cities! 🌍📸
🛫 Sustainable Move-Out Rulebook 🎒
It’s that time of the year again! Move-out season is around the corner—and while it may be full of bittersweet goodbyes and last-minute chaos, it doesn’t have to be wasteful or overwhelming.
Moving is an extremely stressful time! Give yourself (and the planet) a break by starting early. Taking just five to ten minutes each day to sort through your belongings can reduce both anxiety and waste. Last-minute packing limits your options and makes you significantly more likely to dispose of items rather than donate them. Your clothes, books, and unused items might be just what someone else needs.
And that brings us to our…
…Rule 1️⃣: PLAN AHEAD
Start early. Before buying larger suitcases or extra luggage, pack what you already own—you might find you don’t need to purchase anything new. Leaving a rotation city is tough—you’re saying goodbye to a place, a routine, and the people you’ve grown close to. Stretching the process out helps ease the emotional load too.
Rule 2️⃣: PACK SMART, PACK GREEN
Wrap fragile items in clothing, towels, or reusable bags instead of bubble wrap. Avoid single-use plastics and excessive tape whenever possible! Reusable bins, cloth ties, and smarter packing strategies go a long way.
Don’t buy new boxes if you can help it. Ask friends, local shops, or common spaces if they have extras lying around. If you’re shipping items home, consider slower or group shipping options through USPS or local courier services—they’re often more eco-friendly and cost-effective.
Rule 3️⃣: ENGAGE WITH COMMUNITY
You don’t have to do this alone! Reach out to fellow Minervans or local contacts in your rotation city. Someone may have extra packing supplies, be interested in a donation swap, or even offer you storage space.
If you’re returning to the same city next term, think about leaving boxes with a trusted friend. You can also team up with others for group storage or shared shipping to reduce both impact and expense. This is a time for collaboration and using the support networks around you, not isolation.
Rule 4️⃣: REUSE & DONATE MINDFULLY
Explore donation apps, local community boards, or neighborhood groups in your city. Check if there are Minervan student initiatives that help coordinate items for incoming Minervans who might need them.
By following these rules, you’ll make your move-out not only easier and less stressful—but also a more sustainable, thoughtful experience. ⚡️🌱
Events & Opportunities
🎤 Women in Tech Climate Zone – Speaker Opportunity in Climate Zone
Who? Students passionate about climate and community building.
What? The organizers of the Women in Tech Summit (June 4–5, 2025, Warsaw) are looking for a backup speaker to give a 30-minute talk on building communities around climate action. It’s Europe’s largest in-person tech event for women—an amazing platform to share your voice and grow your visibility.
🎟️ While the role isn’t paid, it comes with free tickets to share with your network. Interested? DM Lotte (M27) with your topic idea!
🌏 Minerva Sustainability Lab – Summer in Tokyo 🇯🇵
Who? M26–M28 students interested in sustainability, policy, AI, or satellite data.
What? Applications have reopened for Minerva’s inaugural Sustainability Lab—a two-month, project-based program tackling global challenges through local action in Tokyo.
When? June 23 – August 15, 2025, with prep in May/early June.
📅 Apply by Tuesday, April 29 at 5PM PT
💻 Green Tech Internship – Software Engineer @ Weave Grid
Who? Students pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s in CS, Engineering, or related fields, graduating December 2025 or later.
What? Intern with Weave Grid and help build tools that support EV grid integration and a resilient energy future. Work on backend systems, full-stack development, or data platforms with real-world climate impact.
Where?📍 SF Bay Area preferred
If you haven’t already:
💬 Join the Sustainability Telegram Group Chat
Stay updated and connect with fellow sustainability advocates.
📧 Register for the Minerva Sustainability Email List
Get the latest news, opportunities, and events delivered straight to your inbox.
🔍 Sustainability Guide Compiled by Minervans 🌱
Just a quick reminder that we have our amazing Resource Book: the Sustainability Guide for each of Minerva’s rotation cities! It’s packed with valuable tips and resources to help you live sustainably in your next destination. Be sure to check it out before you arrive, and feel free to update the guide if you encounter anything outdated!
🌟 Science & Technology Pioneer Award
Who? Women impact entrepreneurs with disruptive solutions in science and technology.
What? The Science & Technology Pioneer Award recognizes pioneering women in scientific and technological innovation. Fellows receive financial support up to 100,000 USD, plus human and social capital support.
When? Apply by June 24, 2025.
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Amelie, Aru, Boss, and Nara