Summary
Harper's Choice Middle School has a long history of interest in environmental issues. Over the years, various teachers, students, and parents have initiated projects, speakers, and field trips to increase awareness of environmental issues in classrooms, promote recycling and energy conservation in our building, and work with our community to promote a greener lifestyle. In the past two years, several factors including student advocacy for environmental issues and staff participation in a NCTAF* (National Commission on Teaching and America's Future) partnership became the catalyst for our desire to pursue Green School Certification.
Student interest and creativity is a driving force in our school's green culture. To the credit of our feeder elementary schools, many sixth grade students come to HCMS as advocates for a green lifestyle. For the past two years, an enthusiastic Green Team has relentlessly promoted recycling efforts in our building with features on our morning news show, posters for Trash-Free Wednesdays, a recycled art contest, and a school-wide "DOT (Do One Thing) Wall" in celebration of Earth Day.
Eighth grade reading classes have taken the lead on greener classroom efforts, placing recycling bins and turn-off light switch reminders in every room. Working with HCPSS Energy Specialist, Diane Sweeney, this group is researching ways to reduce energy consumption in our building. Another group is researching and planning for a school garden to learn first-hand about the personal and environmental benefits of growing what you eat or eating locally grown produce.
Our three-year NCTAF partnership has led our school to answer the essential question: "What is the relationship between climate change and personal lifestyle choices?" Staff has received extensive professional development on environmental issues. Teachers have access to resources from NASA, NIH, NOAA, ACE, and other local scientific agencies and organizations to facilitate in planning cross-curricular lessons.
Many field trips and school-wide initiatives focus on making curricular connections and encouraging students to think about global, as well community and personal responsibility, to the environment. This includes turning out lights for Earth Hour, listening to speakers from ACE (Alliance for Climate Education) and Howard County Recycling Program, and participating in field trips to NorthBay Environmental Education Center and the Robinson Nature Center.
Since starting the process of becoming a certified Maryland Green School, there has been strong support from parent and community partnerships. We have a renewed appreciation of the resources and expertise available among our staff, parents, school system, county, and regional resources. Every contact or phone call has been met with enthusiasm and willingness to help in whatever way possible. Our school partnership with NASA and NCTAF has brought access to a wealth of resources in the local scientific community and federal agencies. We have just begun to tap into the tremendous resources available and are looking forward to extending current and seeking new contacts in the local and metropolitan area. As we continue to grow as a green school community, these partnerships provide meaningful, real world application of lessons and ideas that will have a positive impact on students, staff, and the community.
*NCTAF is an organization whose cross curricular and cross grade level teaching practices are Project Based Learning that revolve around the environment. Each school that is chosen to participate in NCTAF chooses an environmental topic to research. Harper's Choice is researching, "What is the relationship between climate change and personal lifestyle choices?" NCTAF is a professional development opportunity for our staff that partners them with experts in the fields of environmental sciences.
Harper's Choice Middle School has a long history of interest in environmental issues. Over the years, various teachers, students, and parents have initiated projects, speakers, and field trips to increase awareness of environmental issues in classrooms, promote recycling and energy conservation in our building, and work with our community to promote a greener lifestyle. In the past two years, several factors including student advocacy for environmental issues and staff participation in a NCTAF* (National Commission on Teaching and America's Future) partnership became the catalyst for our desire to pursue Green School Certification.
Student interest and creativity is a driving force in our school's green culture. To the credit of our feeder elementary schools, many sixth grade students come to HCMS as advocates for a green lifestyle. For the past two years, an enthusiastic Green Team has relentlessly promoted recycling efforts in our building with features on our morning news show, posters for Trash-Free Wednesdays, a recycled art contest, and a school-wide "DOT (Do One Thing) Wall" in celebration of Earth Day.
Eighth grade reading classes have taken the lead on greener classroom efforts, placing recycling bins and turn-off light switch reminders in every room. Working with HCPSS Energy Specialist, Diane Sweeney, this group is researching ways to reduce energy consumption in our building. Another group is researching and planning for a school garden to learn first-hand about the personal and environmental benefits of growing what you eat or eating locally grown produce.
Our three-year NCTAF partnership has led our school to answer the essential question: "What is the relationship between climate change and personal lifestyle choices?" Staff has received extensive professional development on environmental issues. Teachers have access to resources from NASA, NIH, NOAA, ACE, and other local scientific agencies and organizations to facilitate in planning cross-curricular lessons.
Many field trips and school-wide initiatives focus on making curricular connections and encouraging students to think about global, as well community and personal responsibility, to the environment. This includes turning out lights for Earth Hour, listening to speakers from ACE (Alliance for Climate Education) and Howard County Recycling Program, and participating in field trips to NorthBay Environmental Education Center and the Robinson Nature Center.
Since starting the process of becoming a certified Maryland Green School, there has been strong support from parent and community partnerships. We have a renewed appreciation of the resources and expertise available among our staff, parents, school system, county, and regional resources. Every contact or phone call has been met with enthusiasm and willingness to help in whatever way possible. Our school partnership with NASA and NCTAF has brought access to a wealth of resources in the local scientific community and federal agencies. We have just begun to tap into the tremendous resources available and are looking forward to extending current and seeking new contacts in the local and metropolitan area. As we continue to grow as a green school community, these partnerships provide meaningful, real world application of lessons and ideas that will have a positive impact on students, staff, and the community.
*NCTAF is an organization whose cross curricular and cross grade level teaching practices are Project Based Learning that revolve around the environment. Each school that is chosen to participate in NCTAF chooses an environmental topic to research. Harper's Choice is researching, "What is the relationship between climate change and personal lifestyle choices?" NCTAF is a professional development opportunity for our staff that partners them with experts in the fields of environmental sciences.
"We need to be a Green School to let everyone know that the Earth needs our help NOW."