Edison students present Green Fair projects on data centers, e-waste and sustainable fashion

Four students from Thomas Jefferson Middle School presented their winning projects from the school's second annual Green Fair at the board meeting, using research to link everyday behaviors and industry practices to environmental impacts.

Student Ara Butnoger opened with a project on the tech industry's climate footprint, highlighting energy use and emissions from data centers and urging companies to power facilities with renewables. Nimisha (sixth grade) spoke about the environmental costs of cotton and fast fashion, noting water use and pesticide impacts tied to textile production. Eighth-grade students presented a joint project on social media's indirect environmental impacts through trends and consumerism and proposed awareness and platform design changes. Each student offered action steps they said could reduce waste and emissions—data center renewables, expanded recycling of electronics, mindful consumption and school-led clothing swaps.

Principal Mrs. Emden introduced the presentations and praised the students' research and connections to real-world solutions. Board members and community members responded with applause and thanks, and the superintendent said the work reflected district priorities in sustainability and student engagement.

The presentations were accompanied by a jazz-band performance that opened the meeting and was credited to Mr. Lopez's program at TJ. The district said it will continue student-facing events that link classroom work to community policy conversations.