In BCL, whether we are investigating local history, exploring real-world dilemmas, or analyzing policy decisions, we always come back to values. After all, at the heart of every complex issue is a set of beliefs. Over time, BCL students become more and more comfortable recognizing conflicting values, and more and more adept at identifying their own.

We are grateful to spend time every day with professionals who are guided by values. This is often a wonderful place to start or end a conversation. Ask someone about what drives them, and you’ll quickly get to the core of who they are, and why they do the work they do. What better place to encounter values-based ventures than HULA Lakeside, Burlington’s innovation incubator? Thanks to HULA’s generosity, BCL students spent multiple days in a residency that was full of conversations about how to make change while staying true to your values.

So many values were visible at HULA, including innovation, sustainability, and deep learning. This place is literally a breeding ground for ideas and businesses.

• Harper

One thing I’m taking away is how when adults see problems in their communities, they work to fix them. The value I felt most today was deep learning because I really feel like I learned a lot.

• Nasra

I was really excited to see how much green was included in the layout of HULA’s open spaces. The way everything feels so connected to the land really made me think about how much of a difference that makes.

• Amelia

I liked hearing about how Aden found his way to starting his company. It was interesting to learn about his journey to finding his passion, and how his company’s mission reaches so many people. He started the way many businesses do – by just simply identifying a problem in his community. 

• Eli

I hadn’t thought about how driver education is hard to access for some people. Aden also shared how language barrier is a real barrier at the DMV.

• Hayden

Wasted* is guided by wanting to be sustainable and finding a better way to get rid of human waste. They turn the pee from humans into fertilizer to use on plants. They are making it so all the valuable chemicals that our pee releases are put into something that could use it, instead of just being waste.

• Jude

I was interested in the Wasted* company, because it sounds like they could have lots of impact, even at the scale they are at now. I think it’s cool how they just started in the industry, but can already see ways they can grow. It’s nice to see how they can be a for- profit business while also doing good for the world. 

• Finn

I appreciated Rachel’s presentation about Wasted*. Learning about the product’s packaging was interesting, and something I’ve never thought of. I didn’t think designing something so simple would be so challenging. 

• Quinn

Our time with Weebloom and Wasted* is something that really struck my mind. I had heard of them before but never knew that they did that. Their values are real and something I hadn’t heard of until today, but realized how important it was.

• Izzy

The Cora Ball project was super interesting to me because I thought it was great how they are making a difference. After learning about microplastics a few weeks ago, I was really worried about that problem, and I then included Cora Ball in my research – so it was really cool to learn more about them in person. 

• Jimmy

Cora Ball was interesting because it’s something light and easy. Everyone could have it in their home and it would be effective.

• Kali

The Rozalia Project was really interesting and cool to me. The Cora Ball was also very interesting to me because it makes your clothes last longer, and helps the ocean. I love how there are other organizations with the same values, just doing things differently.

• Nasra

Glavel was very interesting because I never thought about how much glass we waste as humans. Even recycled glass. And the idea of making it into foam for insulation and construction was really, really cool.

• Izzy

Glavel stuck out to me as well, because there are types of companies that use recycled products, but few choose to recycle glass, as it doesn’t really have a recyclable use. Glavel is different. 

• Harper

I like the Glavel idea, because it’s an easy and energy-efficient way to stay focused on your values. 

• Keshon

Plink was very interesting because they are entering a business industry where most of the competitors are very popular. They are doing something different. I liked what they were trying to do with their brand: reducing plastic waste.

• Thomas

It was great to learn about Plink, and about how hard it is to use social media to boost your business. It can be helpful if it works, but making that first viral post can be super hard. It was super cool how we helped Max with ideas for future Plink flavors.

• Byron

It was eye-opening to hear from Plink and Cora Ball about the sheer amount of plastic waste worldwide. I was inspired by their missions, and how they each took a simple idea and found a unique solution that does make an impact on the consumer and how society consumes in general. 

• Eli

It’s sooo nice at HULA. There are a lot of people here. It’s an open space for everyone. 

• Sokhna

One takeaway is that it’s fascinating to see business workers communicate with each other.

• Tyler

HULA shows that sustainability can be achieved through innovation.

• Jimmy

I really liked how much we learned about how these small companies care so much about our values.

• Amelia

A few weeks after our HULA residency, we spent time exploring our own values. Students began with a list of more than forty values, and were asked to choose their top ten, before narrowing their list to a top five, and finally to the one value that they feel guides them above all others. It was not an easy process!

Some of the core values that students identified were growth, discipline, fun, and helping society. Students kept these values in mind when we visited the Fletcher Free Library to select books to read to Kindergartners and 1st graders at the Integrated Arts Academy. Youth Library Manager, Megan Butterfield, helped curate books, and also modeled how to effectively read books aloud to a young audience.

The moment we walked into the IAA classrooms, the elementary school students’ eyes lit up. They were going to get to spend time with the “big kids!” As expected, our students stepped into their leadership roles with ease, reading their books, asking the younger students questions, and drawing with them. The students visiting the IAA 1st grade followed their new friends to recess. (It’s easy to guess who was more tired at the end of a 15-minute tag game.)

Selecting the books and then sharing them with younger learners allowed BCL students to thoughtfully consider what values they want to impart to others. Our joyful, memorable morning was also a place to fully embody those values. Once we were back at the O.N.E. Center, we shared stories. BCL students voted on the cutest moment, the biggest surprise, and the most random question. We also discussed how rare it is for adolescents and early elementary children to spend time with each other. This insight led us back to the question of values–and how conventional school tends to value grouping young people by birthday. After our time with our new little friends, there was universal agreement that we should place greater value on simply connecting across grade levels.

My favorite part was when we all sat on the carpet, and they all just started fighting over which book I read and then just started hopping in my lap.

• Nasra

I really loved how creative they are, and how much giggles they had. I just really like being around kids, they bring out playful sides of older people.

• Amelia

Having them actually read to me was very impressive. Having the connection I did with the little guy I partnered with wasn’t something I was expecting either. It was so much fun, and I really think we should go read again before BCL ends.

• Izzy

A memorable moment was recess. Being out there running around with the kids made me really remember what it was like to not have a single care in the world, and just be able to experience life to its absolute fullest.

• Harper

A memorable moment from the elementary school would be during recess. There was a kid who was trying to bodyguard me from the rest of the crowd. And he was also very nice, and a good kid.

• Thomas