Posts by clare
Lincoln Middle School: Lincoln Goes Green
By Clare Zhang Coming back to Lincoln Middle School in person after a year of the pandemic, sixth grade teacher Melissa Johnson saw this “refresh” as an opportunity to get students thinking about and working towards sustainability goals at school. “Adults have the best intentions, but when you’re working in schools, it should come from…
Read MoreSkinner North Classical School: Taking Charge of Energy Use
By Clare Zhang When Zach Schroeder was teaching the civics curriculum to his seventh and eighth grade students at Skinner North Classical School in Chicago, the discussions kept coming back to environmental issues. “They didn’t just want to go through the motions and do a school project — it was real for them,” Schroeder said.…
Read MoreMother McAuley High School: Promoting Sustainable School-Wide Changes
Students: 20 Staff: 1 Project type: Waste Reduction Location: Chicago Grade levels: High School The Mother McAuley environmental science club EcoMacs worked towards three major goals: first, replacing or eliminating the materials used by the school cafeteria and student lounge cafe in favor of more reusable or sustainable alternatives. Second, they created a “Green Corner”…
Read MoreLincoln Elementary School: Native Garden Classroom
Students: 41Staff: 1Mentor: Justin RiosProject type: Outdoor Learning SpaceLocation: River ForestGrade levels: Elementary School Students and staff at Lincoln Elementary wanted to transform their existing, but underused native garden into an inviting and educational communal space for all Lincoln students and community members. The renovation added seating, a teaching wall and plant signage to best…
Read MoreWolcott College Prep: Energy Audit and Allyship in Action
Students: 10 Staff: 5 Mentor: Sean Moran Project type: Energy Efficiency Location: Chicago, IL Grade levels: 9-12 Wolcott students looked to contribute to the national conversation surrounding energy efficiency in schools by looking at their school’s energy usage, implementing conservation strategies and presenting the results at their annual TEDx event. Their presentation to school administration…
Read MoreHalf Day School: Zero Waste School Lunch Program
Students: 15Staff: 9Mentor: Seema Keshav & Shree Lakshmi NarasimhanProject type: Sustainability Plan DevelopmentLocation: LincolnshireGrade levels: Third through Fifth Grade Half Day is working towards becoming a zero waste school by creating a composting program and educating students on the importance of composting. The student Green Team researched ways to reduce food waste and lunch trash,…
Read MoreEdgar Allan Poe Classical School: You Grow Edgar Allan Poe Garden
Students: 215Staff: 15Mentors: Bhini Jain, Gabrielle Yates, Johnny Horton, Thomas Wassell, Jennifer Papazisi, Matthew Paolucci, Mariella Ochoa, Michelle McClendonProject type: Outdoor Learning SpaceLocation: ChicagoGrade levels: Elementary School Students and staff at Edgar Allan Poe partnered with community members to plant a garden on school grounds which will serve as a hands-on environmental learning space for…
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