Wooden bike builderClass activities 2007-08
Clio McConnell photo
Global Studies sans frontières
February 2008: Roshan Kumarasamy, a representative of Mèdecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, came to the BHS library on Feb. 19 to speak with Global Studies freshmen about growing up in Sri Lanka, as well as his experiences treating refugees of war and natural disasters the world over. He explained how people living in poverty are hit particularly hard by catastrophes such as drought and violent conflicts, which take away so much from those who have so little to begin with. But Kumarasamy also had BIHS students imagine what it would be like if war or famine broke out around Berkeley, to demonstrate the contrast in lifestyles between refugees and typical Westerners. For example, MSF generally provides refugees with about one gallon of clean water per day for bathing, washing, cooking, etc., whereas the average American might use over 100 gallons per day in the summer.
Peet's coffee buyer Jim Reynolds answers questions from BIHS econ students in the College and Career Center.Coffee makes the world go 'round
December 2007: Jim Reynolds, chief coffee buyer for Berkeley-born Peet's Coffee & Tea, addressed the BIHS sophomore economics classes in early December. Reynolds (for whom the pricey JR special coffee blend is named) showed pictures of his visits to coffee plantations all over the world, and explained how the coffee business is second only to oil in world trade. BIHS econ teachers Ross Parker and Matt Meyer prompted students to prepare questions for the visit, and one asked Reynolds to break down the cost of a latte. Surprisingly, the coffee itself is the cheapest ingredient, according to Reynolds, followed by the cost of the cup, milk, and the priciest component — labor.