The students in Laurie Risler’s class at Hilltown Cooperative Charter Public School in Haydenville, Massachusetts, set high goals for their Green Schools project to reduce energy waste. They hoped for 100% school participation and to present their project in every classroom. When they attended the Student Summit at the end of May, they had collected pledges from 98% of the school population and had reached their goal of presenting to every class in the school, including whole-school assemblies.
Students explored energy use and waste in their school, using Kill-o-Watt devices. They identified unused computers plugged into outlets as a large component of energy consumption. They wrote speeches, wrote and presented a short skit, and wrote and presented a song. They collected data, categorized it, and presented it visually.
The students discussed ways to reduce their carbon footprint, and identified a school garden as a visible and effective way to fulfill their own classroom’s pledge to green their environment.
Ms. Risler commented, “Student reflections emphasized the skills they developed, the fun of working as a team, and the pride in their achievement.”