2023 Green Schools Profiles
York Community High School: Exploring Water Quality
Project Type: Path to Net Zero, Water Conservation Students: 25 Staff: 2 Mentor: Chris Philbrick Location: Elmhurst, IL Grade Levels: High School The Project York Community High School’s project spanned the entire school year, majority-led by 25 students in Eco Club. They learned about water quality, did a school water audit, participated in various local…
Read MoreWhittier Elementary School: Lunchroom Waste Audit
Project Type: Path to Net Zero, Indoor Environmental Quality, Waste Reduction Students: 45 Staff: 5 Mentor: John Mlade, Wight & Co. Location: Downers Grove, IL Grade Level: 5th Grade Winner: Creative Use of Resources Award Whittier’s project was recognized with the Creative Use of Resources award by the panel of Illinois Green Schools Project reviewers.…
Read MoreStillman Valley High School & Junior High: Pollinator Growth & Habitat
Project Type: Native Plant Garden Students: 150 Staff: 3 Location: Stillman Valley, IL Grade Level: 8th, 11th, 12th The Project Stillman Valley High partnered with the eighth grade science classes to germinate milkweed plants for Monarch butterfly habitats. Throughout this project, students have been involved in germination, transfer of plants to a greenhouse, and preparation…
Read MoreMarist High School: Bringing Native Plants Back
Project Type: Habitat Restoration & Biodiversity; Native Plant Garden; Outdoor Learning Space Students: 15 Staff: 2 Mentor: Christine Cho, Cushman & Wakefield Location: Chicago, IL Grade Level: High School Goals of the project: Bringing pollinators and green foliage to the campus Students worked with the staff to get 20 potted plants for the school…
Read MoreGlen Ellyn School District: Water Conservation Initiative in District 41
Project Type: Path to Net Zero, Water Conservation Staff: 1 Parent Volunteers: 2 Mentors: Gilbane Co. Location: Glen Ellyn, IL Grade Level: 3rd & 5th The Project The Glen Ellyn Green Team, composed of mentors from Gilbane Building Company, District representatives, and two dedicated parent volunteers, came together to review and update the district’s water…
Read MoreThomas Elementary: Composting
Project Type: Waste Reduction, Collaboration with non-profit Students: 16 Staff: 3 Mentors: April Bartnick Location: Carbondale, IL Grade Level: 2nd & 3rd Grade In collaboration with a local non-profit, Thomas Elementary is introducing composting to the 2nd and 3rd grade. During the school’s breakfast and lunch times, students place their unwanted, uneaten in buckets, where it is…
Read MoreSkinner North: Air Quality
Project Type: Indoor Environmental Quality Students: 25 Staff: 2 Mentors: Matt Johnson, Melissa Rodas Location: Chicago, IL Grade Level: 8th Grade Eighth graders at Skinner North researched how to measure and improve indoor air quality, and created a plan that involved integrating an indoor classroom garden. Faculty leaders hope that this single-classroom project can be applied…
Read MoreHalf Day School: Zero Waste Lunch Room Challenge
Project Type: Path to Net Zero, Waste Reduction Students: 40 Staff: 5 Mentor: Eileen Grace Whitemiller Location: Lincolnshire, IL Grade Level: High School Winner: Path to Zero Waste Award Half Day School’s project was recognized with the Path to Zero Waste Award by the Illinois Green Schools Project reviewers. The Project Half Day School’s composting…
Read MoreMarion Junior High School: Climate Solutions 101: Middle School Edition
Project Type: Path to Net Zero Students: 105 Staff: 1 Mentor: Tiffany Sulser Location: Marion, IL Grade Level: 7th grade The Project Marion Junior High School teacher Tiffany Sulser incorporated activities into her 7th grade class’ regular “Earth’s Changing Climate” Amplify Unit, designed to educate students about possible solutions to mitigate climate change. Students learned…
Read MoreAdlai E. Stevenson High School: Waste Reduction Initiatives at Stevenson
Project Type: Path to Net Zero, Waste Reduction Students: 40 Staff: 5 Mentor: Eileen Grace Whitemiller Location: Lincolnshire, IL Grade Level: High School The Project Adlai E. Stevenson High School’s Waste Reduction Initiatives aim to bring Stevenson closer to net zero waste through three mini-projects that each target a specific area of school waste, including…
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