SHHS has collaborated with students, faculty, and community members on Applied Student Research (ASR) projects to bring about practical change on campus. Below are some examples of the projects we’ve been a part of – we look forward to pursuing many more ASRs in the coming years!
1. M(x)P Vegetable-Oil Furnace Feasibility Project:
M(x)P is a collaboration between four McGill project groups that facilitate ASR projects under specialized topics: McGill Spaces Project, McGill Energy Project, McGill Food Systems Project, and McGill Waste Project. SHHS supported the first M(x)P project, in which a student researcher assessed the feasibility of using waste-vegetable oil from residence cafeterias as an energy source for a converted diesel furnace.
2. ENVR 401 Composting Project:
A group of students investigated feasible options for composting organic waste produced by McGill cafeterias. Big Hanna, an on-campus composter that is no longer operational, was not large enough and was not performing economically. They found that outsourcing our organic waste to a composting company called Compost Montreal was the most viable option for McGill. Their proposal became a reality: Compost Montreal now collects the organic waste from all of the SHHS dining locations!
3. MEP Solar Water Systems Project:
Two engineering student groups researched and proposed a design for a solar water heating system for McGill’s upper residences during the summer months. The projects included an assessment of current practices, a feasibility analysis, and recommendations on how this project should be implemented. Their final report included a design for solar panel arrangements for optimal solar-heating capacity.
4. MEP Royal Victoria College Energy Reduction Project:
Six students analyzed the overall energy consumption of the Roscoe Wing in Royal Victoria College (RVC) residence. At the end of the research project, they produced an energy audit and concluded that the steam distribution network was creating significant energy losses. The students provided relevant recommendations to address the inefficiencies of the steam network.