In September, the US Department of Education’s Green Strides Best Practices Tour rolled through schools in Colorado. Both Wellington Middle School and Lesher Middle School were recognized for demonstrating sustainable practices and environmental leadership. Both schools have developed novel programs to keep students engaged in sustainability.
Wellington has what is known as the Eco-Club which is made up of students who work to keep the school focused on saving energy, recycling, and tracking the school’s wind turbine energy data.
Students take the information they learn in school at see them in action at a local dairy, and sewage and water treatment facilities. They are also host to what is known as the Innovation Camp, a STEM camp for middle school students across northern Colorado.
Lesher has a sustainability class and they have organized a Bike-to-School Week, which encourages 40 percent of students and staff to cycle 4,000 miles in an Iron Viking Adventure Race. In 2006 they invested $3.7 million in an energy efficient new media center, fitness center, art room, and general education classrooms. This includes unit ventilators, solar tubes, double-pane thermal windows, solar shades, and new lighting.
This comprehensive green school helps students to identify the implications of their actions. They focus on collaborative green building practices and conservation behaviors.
Make sure to see the article titled, “Comprehensive Green School Information and Resources.” It contains links to over 200 articles covering everything you need to know about sustainable academics, student’s eco-initiatives, green school buildings, and college rankings as well as a wide range of related information and resources.
