6 replies to this topic

[FamilyTreeClimber]

Three public schools have won Sustainable Energy Awards.  Each school will get $10,000 to further their efforts.  The National Environmental Education Foundation hands out these awards.

The award is giving to schools that make an all out effort to use sustainable energy.  Lessons were created to monitor the school's efforts and to see if what they implemented brought the desired results.    Students were encouraged to come up with ideas on how to improve energy use at the school.  Not only did they learn from the efforts, they were involved in the process.  It's really impressive what they have achieved.

These are the types of efforts that will bring us the problem solvers of the future.  When students are allowed to be part of the problem solving process it empowers them.  Those are lessons they will take with them throughout life.

It's too bad that more schools couldn't get involved in projects like this where it is functional and educational.  Unfortunately, the changes cost money.  That's something most school do not have right now.  I doubt that many can argue with school boards that over the long run they will save the district money.

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[steph84]

That is so great that the students were actively involved in the entire process. It is much more rewarding to them now that they know their efforts are rewarded instead of just handing out some grant to them. Bravo to all three schools.

[dissn_it]

This is a really good way for students to learn about sustainable energy. It is interesting that these projects would actually save the schools tens of thousands of dollars in the long term. With all of the budget cuts that have hit the schools in the past few years, I don't see them doing this unless they do fundraisers and get support from local communities. It is just too bad that schools can't just include these types of projects in their budgets every year.

[FamilyTreeClimber]

It is, also, a great way to make science interesting.  When you can come up with an idea, apply it, then test it out, it has more meaning to you.  The students are more invested in the success of these changes when their input and work is valued.

Dissn_It, I agree that most schools would not be able to do something like these three.  There would be an argument over whether they should spend money on computers computers or solar panels.  Unless the money comes from an outside source specifically for the purpose of improving a school's energy use, I think they would have a difficult time selling the idea to the district and the parents.

We do have some local schools that have made changes like adding solar panels.  That is nowhere near what these three schools did though.

[joeldgreat]

Science and technology working hand in hand to save the future. We all know that these two factors brings the unbalanced of our ecology and would it be best if the two would eventually find a way to reverse the effect of global destruction brought by global warming. For start, the invention of electricity, machineries, automobiles and weapons are the main output of science and technology.

Its good to know that the schools who are the primary source of intellects are changing its concept about science and technology.

[FlanneryCam]

I love when the real world can enter the classroom. This is something that really allows the students to understand why they are trying to make the school more sustainable/green. And what an awesome reward for the schools who received the funding! That will hopefully make a different in the lives and educations of the children at those schools.

Does anyone remember how their schools were trying to green themselves? In elementary, we had a courtyard and we grew sunflowers and some vegetables. It was another way for us to see how our science classes made sense, to actually have living, growing things to show us the way the world worked.

[FamilyTreeClimber]

FlanneryCam, I believe they need to bring more real world applications into the classroom.  Theory and knowledge are necessary, but you need to apply your own hands and see how something works.  You also need to see how one thing can create results in another.  You can't get that from a book.

The ecology movement was still very young when I was a child.  But, all of my nieces and nephews have gone to schools where green issues were emphasize.  My youngest niece is in an elementary school where the kids grow vegetables for them to take home.  I wish all students could take advantage of these efforts.