Happy Earth Day! Welcome Matthew Almes

And Ray Franklin

Environmental Issues Program

Anne Arundel County Public Schools

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

The Maryland Association for Environmental & Outdoor Education

Green School Application Requirements

The Maryland Green Schools Program

A comprehensive, integrated approach to authentic learning.

Supports state efforts to meet requirements such asThe Chesapeake Bay 2000 AgreementThe Baltimore Watershed AgreementEnvironmental Literacy Requirements

To date, 20% (425) of all Maryland schools have certified

MAEOE Green Schools Program Specifics

The MD Green School Application Pre K-12summarizes the school’s actions over 2

years. It provides documentation of these activities.

Program PhilosophiesWhole School Culture Shift

Student Driven/ Student Involved (BMPs)

Hands-On Inquiry

Non-Prescriptive Framework

Increased Test Scores

Nation-wide improvement in standardized test scores when the environment is used as an integrating context within the curriculum.

Studies in Maryland affirm the national findings

(Dr. Sarah Haines-Towson)

The latest, from 2010, tracks test results at individual schools before and after certification as a Maryland Green School, and shows a strong correlation between the Maryland Green School process and improved academic performance.

2013 Data – Schools’ ActionsTrees and shrubs planted: 1758Rain gardens planted: 14Green Roofs : 7Energy $ savings: $580,000Pounds of bottles, cans, paper and electronics recycled:

65,676 lbsSchoolyard habitat created: 10,862 sq. ft.Riparian buffer installed: 2,358 sq. ft.Water quality testing projects: 62Storm drains painted: 100

1. Curriculum and Instruction• Environment as a Context for Learning• Professional Development• Celebration

2. Student Driven Best Management Practices (Choose 4):

• Water Conservation/Pollution Prevention• Energy Conservation• Solid Waste Reduction• Habitat Restoration• Outdoor Structures for Learning• Responsible Transportation• Healthy School Environment

3. School and Community Partnerships:• School is active in the community.• Community is active in the school.

1) INFORMATION2) DOCUMENTATION

1.a. Environment as a Context for Learning

•All Grades involved in environmental education

Grade Environmental Instruction

6 Art recycled project, English poetry contest

7 Science Fair Projects related to global warming

8 Science lessons on sustainability

Ideas for organization and documentation:Documentation

Student work (or photos/copies of student work)

Photos of bulletin boardsPhotos of students engaged in

environmental educationStudent reflectionsLesson plans (weaker – be sure you

prove you taught the lesson! Needs to be accompanied with above examples of student work)

Assessments

http://parkhallgreenteam.weebly.com/curriculum-and-instruction.html

1.c. Professional DevelopmentTeacher Training ● Workshops● Field Experience ● Networking ● MAEOE Professional Development Calendar

Three components:1) All of the staff is aware

of the Green School Application Process

2) The Majority of the Staff are engaged in environmental education

3) 10% of the staff have received Professional Development

http://federalhillpreparatory.weebly.com/use-of-the-environment-as-a-context-for-learning.html

Ideas for documentation:

AgendasSign-In SheetsEmail confirmations/ registrations/ correspondenceNotesDON’T FORGET DATES!

1.d. Celebration

School wide appreciation of the efforts and achievements of teachers and studentsPublic events that involve the school and communityThe school shows off its sustainable activities

http://stmartinsisgreen.weebly.com/curriculum-and-instruction.html

Celebration“The reviewers are looking for evidence that the

whole school community is aware that the school continuing to strive to be a Maryland Green School, and celebrations of activities involving many students.”

2) Best Management PracticesWater Conservation/Pollution Prevention

Energy Conservation

Solid Waste Reduction

Habitat Restoration

Outdoor Structures for Learning

Responsible Transportation

Healthy School Environment

Choose 4 of 7- 2 in each category

Water Conservation/Pollution PreventionMust have student involvement!Students post “Bay starts here”

stickers on faucetsStudents conduct water quality

monitoring of school streamRain gardens and other erosion

control measuresStorm drain stenciling Parking lot curb cuts Students install, paint and/or use

rain barrels

Energy ConservationStudent-made reminders to turn

off the lights and devices

Student energy monitoring

Calculating the school’s carbon footprint, and actions to reduce that footprint

Student-conducted energy audits

Students promote actions to reduce phantom energy loss

Students plant trees to shade the building

Solid Waste Reduction Students organize a

recycling drive for ink cartridges, old cell phones, etc

Students help set up outdoor composting

Students plan an indoor or outdoor clean-up day

Students create labels for recycling stations

Students petition for no-waste lunch days

Reduce-Reuse-Recycle

Habitat RestorationStudents plant native trees/shrubs/perennialsStudents construct bird, butterfly, or bat boxesStudents help remove turf or impervious pavingStudents construct brush piles or saving snags

** Invite local business/watershed organizations to join in and help!

Structures for Environmental Learning

Students build or paint bird, bat, and butterfly boxes

Students plan Outdoor Classrooms: Built-in or moveable

Students create native maryland tree ID tagsStudents create outdoor art: sculptures, muralsStudents help design “Green Building”

componentsStudents desing boardwalksStudents plan nature trails

Responsible TransportationStudents plan carpooling

programsStudents create signage for no-

idle zonesStudents analyze school

transportation issues /carbon footprint using a school survey

Students routinely go on walking field trips or use public transportation

Healthy School EnvironmentTest school drinking water or air qualityStudents promote the use of indoor plantsStudents create or promote environmentally

friendly productsStudents participate in healthy local foods

programsStudents host a 5K run to encourage exercise

and activity while incorporating the teaching of environmental facts and action.

BMPs“Reviewers want to see evidence of student

involvement in the activities (not all done by a select group).”

“At least two ongoing actions in each area.”

“Documentation can be in videos of student announcements, pictures, scripts, charts of activities and number of students participating.”

Required: A Minimum of 4 Best Management Practices. 2 in each. Data Quantification in application.

3) a. Community Partnerships

Parents and PTA● MD Green Centers

●MD Green Leaders ●Forestry Board●

Chesapeake Bay Trust● MD DNR, MDE,

MSDE● Colleges and Universities● UMD

Cooperative Extension● Local garden

clubs● Local businesses and

organizations● Federal agencies

How are they involved? When did they visit? What did they do?

Example: Waste Management Agency joint clean-up day

ExamplesA campus cleanup day,

advertised to the community, with the local waste management agency

Bringing in a county recycling coordinator to speak to the staff

Working with a Master Gardener to design a habitat

Working with MD DNR on a grant to install a stream buffer

We need you to:

Help Keep Bates

Green!!