PERSPECTIVES OF EARTH - TEAM MENTORSHIP AND INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
FINAL PRESENTATIONS

2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021

PETM Summer 2025

Full 2025 Final Presentation Webpage

Project - vision
The McAuliffe Center, through the PETM Summer Internship, envisions the redesign of what is known as “Shoppers World” in Framingham, MA. This is a timely project since the new owners of Shoppers World, Urban Edge, have already proposed to the City of Framingham to transform a portion of the shopping mall into a mixed-use development.

Through this project, the McAuliffe Center aims to contribute the voice and perspectives of young members of the MetroWest community to the Shoppers World redevelopment. We believe that we can contribute to a thoughtful sustainable design after which other redevelopments of commercial lots in MetroWest may be modeled.
Vision Document

Goal for summer 2025
PETM was charged to develop a proof of concept for a 100% clean energy self-sufficient 15-min urban community that will replace the existing Shoppers World. The study focused on the integration of three key climate solutions: geothermal networks, photovoltaic systems, and passive building design. 

Study: Energy Assessment Results

PETM 2025 Final Presentation

PETM 2025 Project Terms Glossary

Solar Para Todos Webpages
English | Español | Português

Solar Para Todos Program Introduction Videos

Solar Para Todos Program Benefits Videos

Solar Para Todos Infographics - Community Solar Benefits

Solar Para Todos Eligibility

Your Annual Savings with Solar Para Todos

Your Monthly Savings with Solar Para Todos

The Billing Process

PETM Summer 2023

Seventeen high school interns participated in the Summer 2023 Internship. Below are the results of five weeks of research, data gathering, reflection, and long discussions. For questions about the PETM program, contact: Dr. Irene Porro, Program Director, at iporro@framingham.edu.

PETM Spring 2023

These six designs for Downtown Framingham were created by MetroWest high school students as part of Perspectives of Earth - Team Mentorship. Students re-envisioned Downtown Framingham to mitigate environmental harm produced by extreme temperatures and create opportunities to improve health, promote ecological vitality, and foster the social life of the community.

PETM Summer 2022

Thirteen high school interns participated in the Summer 2022 Internship. Below are the results of five weeks of research, data gathering, reflection, and long discussions.

Heat Island Effects at Framingham State University

Project Report
PowerPoint Presentation
Poster Presentation

Heat Island Effects in Marlborough

Project Report
PowerPoint Presentation
Poster Presentation

Heat Illness at MCI Framingham

Project Report
PowerPoint Presentation

PETM SPRING 2022

These ten environmental projects have been developed by MetroWest high school students as part of Perspectives of Earth - Team Mentorship. We asked the community to review these projects and provide feedback. Based on this feedback and internal review, we chose to focus on Urban Heat Islands as the theme our PETM high school interns would focus on during the Summer Internship.

See Yourself in STEM 2021

MetroWest youth connect local environmental issues to global challenges by producing short videos to share their ideas for positive environmental change and action. The videos were submitted to the Teens Dream Changemaker Challenge, a global competition sponsored by the Global Co Lab Network, and in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution. 

The McAuliffe Center mentored six teams of teens who made it to the final round of judging in the competition. Because of the number of outstanding proposals submitted by the students, the McAuliffe Center was awarded the competition's first-ever Mentor Award.

Framingham High School

Marlborough High School

Milford High School