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Maryland Schools "Going Green"                                          

(ANNAPOLIS – May 3, 2008) - A record number of schools in Maryland are “Going Green” in 2008, according to the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE). The organization, whose mission is to promote excellence in environmental education, announced today the certification of 36 new “Green Schools,” bringing the total number of Maryland Green Schools in the state to 201.

The Maryland Green School program recognizes and supports public and private schools that use their campus and the local environment as a place to learn, model environmental best management practices and work with community partners to enhance learning and stewardship according to Nancy Merrill, MAEOE’s Executive. Projects include tree planting, energy and water conservation, erosion control and pollution prevention, recycling, wildlife habitat, storm water management and other significant efforts.

“These schools use the outdoors to provide amazing opportunities for meaningful and applied learning,” Merrill said.  She added that the “Maryland Green School Awards is the most comprehensive program of its kind in the nation. It promotes both ecologically sustainable practices in the schools and encourages authentic learning.”

Schools apply to be recognized by the program and must document how they incorporate the environment into their instruction and detail their sustainable landscaping and building operations. The certification last for three school years.

“It is not only green education, but it is good education,” said Merrill. She noted that Green Schools have statistically significant higher state test scores, than non-green schools with similar socio-economic characteristics, according to a recent study. See: http://www.maeoe.org/resources/research/ 

"I continue to be impressed by the level of commitment shown by Maryland
students, and their schools, to environmental education," said Dr. Nancy Grasmick, State Superintendent of Schools. "The department is proud of their efforts and is thrilled that each year more schools become a Green School."

GREEN SCHOOLS GAIN CONGRESSIONAL ATTENTION

One 2008 green school gained congressional attention, when the U.S. Congress chose Karen Harris, the principal of Pot Spring Elementary School in Baltimore County, to testify with her students at a congressional hearing in April on providing federal funding for environmental education. During the school year, the students also monitored the water quality of a local waterway, performed an environmental musical, raised horseshoe crabs and participated in oyster restoration efforts.

At Chesapeake Bay Middle School in Anne Arundel County, the school sponsored a “Green Carnival” to raise student awareness of environmental issues. The students have planted native species in their Chesapeake themed outdoor learning area. They work with a neighboring elementary school to maintain a bog which serves as a storm water retention area. In addition, the students raised $4,000 for the Maryland Reef Restoration Project.

Civics classes at Walkersville High School in Frederick County analyzed a current news item regarding the nation’s forests to determine the constitutionality of the Presidents’ actions.  Students taught environmental lessons to children at the local elementary school, participated in the statewide Envirothon, and made a presentation to town officials on ways to make more environmentally friendly decisions.  A native tree nursery was planted several years ago and these trees were used as the basis of a nature trail. The Potomac Conservancy donated an additional 100 trees which were planted last fall.

MAEOE will present the 2008 Maryland Green Schools at an Award Ceremony on May 29^th 2007 in Baltimore. Green Schools will receive a “Green School” flag and banner, official certificate, environmental gift basket, and native Maryland tree from the Department of Natural Resources as well as a discount on future tree orders. Award winners will also have the opportunity to present at the annual MAEOE conference, the largest state environmental conference in the nation with almost 600 participants.

GREEN CENTERS

MAEOE is also certifying five new Green Centers, bringing the total to 21 in the state. A Green Center, must be a model for best environmental management practices in their facilities and on their grounds and engage the community in learning. A Green Center must also support their local schools in their efforts to become green, including providing technical assistance on habitat projects, distributing information and resources, and hosting professional development opportunities for teachers.

MAEOE will honor the following 5 Green Centers in 2008:  Marshy Point Nature Center in Baltimore County , Anita C. Leight Estuary Center in Harford County, Herring Run Watershed Association in Baltimore County , Howard County Conservancy  in Howard County, and Environmental Concern, Inc in Talbot County.

GROWING GREEN IN PRINCE GEORGE’S

“Receiving a Green School Award is the start of a process that leads to better quality education and a culture that embraces sustainable actions.,” said Carol Thompson, MAEOE Green School Coordinator. MAEOE is also recertifying 17 Green Schools who were certified more than 3 years ago and another 15 Green Schools who first were certified over 6 years ago.

For instance, High Point High School in Prince George’s County, MD who is being recertified for the first time this year, “has made astounding progress since their initial certification,” said Merrill. In the last 2 years, High Point collected 18 tons of paper saving 59.4 cubic yards of landfill space. By replacing the faucets, toilets and light bulbs with greener alternatives, the school saved 73,800 kilowatts of electricity, enough to heat 108 homes for 6 months, as well as 126,000 gallons of water and 7,020 gallons of oil.        

“I am proud of the incredible accomplishments of our Green Schools. It is encouraging to see our youth, engage in their learning and take civic action to improve their community environment,” said Jack B. Johnson, Prince Georges County Executive.

The High Point Student Government promoted the use of mass transit by encouraging their county and state public officials to pass a law that Prince Georges County students can ride the metro for free. After many letters and presentations at hearings, the students accomplished their goal.

MAEOE’s mission is to promote excellence in environmental education by supporting and training Maryland educators.  Established in 1985, MAEOE administers the Green Schools Program and hosts the nation’s largest annual state environmental education conference with over 550 participants, and provides multiple professional development opportunities to environmental educators.

FMI, visit www.MAEOE.org

Other 2008 MD Green School Highlights:

At Williamsport Elementary School in Washington County, when the school recycled 2,000 lbs of paper for the year, the school celebrated 2000 Pound Day. Students stenciled storm drains in town to remind people of their connection to the Chesapeake Bay. Over 1500 seedlings were planted for erosion control and to act as a sound barrier. Students wrote to the fire department requesting their help to water the trees over the summer. They implemented an active energy savings campaign, collected data and made a graph to demonstrate how much energy the school saved.

Sudlersville Elementary School in Queen Ann’s County, students have bagged oysters at the Horn Point Lab in Cambridge, learned to snorkel as part of a reef ball project, collected data on raptors for the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center, raised diamond back terrapins, stenciled storm drains around the town, planted a rain garden and managing the schools’ recycling efforts. All of this work was acknowledged in a book published by the Maryland State Department of Education called, Feet Wet, Hands Dirty

Piney Branch Elementary School in Montgomery County was awarded a schoolyard habitat certification from the National Wildlife Federation for their efforts in providing habitat for animals. Students raise and release horseshoe crabs and the endangered migratory fish, American Shad. Students participate in the International Walk to School Day as a way to reduce car emissions.  “English as a Second Language” students studied solar power and then wrote essays explaining why solar power is good for the planet.

The 7^th graders at Windy Hill Middle School in Calvert County, learned about indicators of health in the Chesapeake Bay, researched trends in the acreage  of submerged aquatic vegetation,  and participated in Bay Grasses to Classes.  The school held an art contest, called, “I Can Make a Difference.”  They recycle paper, ink cartidges, cell phones, plastic bottles and alumninum cans.  Students also stenciled storm drains, constructed a rain barrel and added a blue bird trail. 

For more success stories view www.MAEOE.org

Tags: education