Green Graduation Cap

Here's my Class of 2009 Graduation Cap for the University of California Berkeley.

It is covered with a small "green world," complete with a solar power plant and a wind turbine.

The solar panel works, and actually drives the wind turbine. So while not true generation, it helps to demonstrate renewable energy at least.

I was involved in several sustainable groups on campus. I helped pass the Green Initiative Fund (TGIF) legislation on campus, which generates $200,000 annually for green projects at Berkeley. I also taught the Joy of Garbage DeCal course for six semesters. This course explored the impact of our waste on the past, present and future. Finally I was the Waste Reduction Manger (WRM) at my housing cooperative for four semesters.

Grass paper and miniature trees were obtained from a model railroad store. The tassel was magnetically mounted at two points under the cap, to allow me to 'graduate.'

The house contains an arm connected to the Sun. The sun can be raised by a remote control. I used this while walking across the stage to wave to the family. You can see this in the two videos below.

I majored in Product Design through the Interdisciplinary Studies Program at Berkeley and hope to work on green sustainable products in the future.