Green Schools Links (continued)Missouri Department of Natural Resource
has lots of great links on their web site. From K-12 lesson plans to sponsor competitive university solar decathlons and solar ‘raycing’.
Alliance to save Energy’s Green School Program
includes lists of ‘Green schools in action’. Those case studies highlight their energy savings success stories. Also described are the benefits for green schools comparing energy savings, cost efficiency, student learning and leadership development. Well laid out tips for implementing a school-wide energy efficiency program makes this site a great start for organizing a green school.
SEED HOUSE VIDEO FROM OBERLIN COLLEGE
A day with the environmentally conscious students living in a green house at Oberlin College. From outreach goals to reducing their ecological footprint, these students walk the talk while enjoying what they are doing. Using low flow faucets, vermi composting for food waste and much more these students go to great strives to making energy efficiency fun.
Click here to watch the video.
Where in the world can you find a green school near you?
- Click here to see a Google map of schools in the U.S.A.
In St. Louis, Missouri
EarthWays center in St. Louis, MO, is a division of the Missouri Botanical garden. It promotes sustainability through environmental education.Leading by example, this renovated three-story Victorian residence built in 1885 serves as a practical showcase to the public. K-12 students are taught the value of waste reduction practices and recycled products.
Visitors learn about ‘rethinking’ building operations in order to achieve maximum energy efficiency. From solar panels to geothermal heating and cooling, everything is explained at the EarthWays Center. Public Tours are on the 3rd Saturday and Sunday of each month at 11 am, noon, 1 pm and 2 pm. Admission is $3 per person. Members of the Botanical Garden and children Age 12 and under are free. Group and school tours by appointment only.
Camp EarthWays will host a 'Design your Green Dream House' for children entering grades 5-8 in a week long camp session from July 7 - 11, 2008.
Great Examples For LEED Certified Schools
- Take a virtual trip to the greenest Middle school in the U.S. Having received their certification in March 2007, the Sidwell Friends School in Washington D.C. has been awarded the first LEED Platinum status for K-12 from the U.S. Green Building Council. This is the first Platinum rated school in the world and the first Platinum building in Washington, D.C. When visiting the web site let the students take you on a really neat tour. After watching the videos and reading about the enthusiasm of both teacher/student and parents you will feel encouraged having the same experience in your school district.
- In March 2004 Clearview Elementary in Hanover, Pennsylvania was awarded the LEED Gold certification and has had an average annual energy savings of $18,000 since then.
By January 2008 there were 76 LEED certified schools in the U.S. and more than 560 registered projects to go green.
Energy Audits and Funding‘And where is all the money supposed to come from for the renovation of our existing building?’ You can start right here:
An important step to make all those great changes in your students lives is to have a committee that consists of the right mix of engaged people like:
Your Principal, the head of Facilities or Buildings and Grounds, Faculty members, students, parents, LEED AP (accredited professionals who specialize in energy and sustainability designs) and of course the architect, designer and energy consulting members. Again, a good way to find the latter is to contact your local USGBC chapter and call for references.
In Missouri, we have the Energy Revolving Fund, which provides low-interest loans for energy efficiency improvements by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources Energy Center. In 2008, loans of $5million to $7 million are available for new loans for projects at public schools, local governments and public higher education facilities. The deadline for the loan-application was in January 2008, so check back with them about next year’s loans.St. Louis based consulting firms with green school experience include:
The US Green Building Council for schools has doubled their funding to green school research. They also rewarded creative green-building curriculum with Incentive Grants and Recognition Awards.
For all the other State energy loans visit their site for more information.