Green School Inspires Students, President-elect Obama Praises Project
How do you provide 1500 high school students with a better chance to achieve academically, provide cleaner air for them, reduce their carbon footprint, and inspire them to become scientists? Carry out a school greening!
Bloom High School in Chicago Heights, Illinois recently received a green makeover from Earth Day Network, thanks to a generous grant from the Wal-Mart Foundation. The "greening" is part of Earth Day Network's National Green Schools campaign, which aims to create healthy, energy-efficient and sustainable learning environments. Earth Day Network was able to provide the school with an array of 36 solar panels which will help reduce the energy bill for the school and its greenhouse gas emissions. One of the more innovative elements was the addition of two "living walls," vertical walls of plants that filter air throughout the building and help provide energy savings. A greenhouse was installed, and students also painted an eco-mural, participated in gardening activities, and helped host an Education Earth Fair.
As part of the greening, Earth Day Network installed energy-saving products such as compact fluorescent light bulbs and power strips along with automatic light sensors. Pre-and-post project air quality tests and energy audits will also be conducted.
The green makeover inspired the students to become more involved with the environment. As one student said, "Our school will always be known for our act of trying to improve the environment." Many others expressed how proud they were that their school was "going green" and how they hoped to leave a legacy for future students. For some, it was their first real introduction to "green" living and things like organic food.
"Bloom is a perfect example of what the efforts of committed teachers, students, and administrators can accomplish," said Sean Miller, Earth Day Network's Education director. "Step by step, we are making true our promise to green all of America's schools within a generation."
President-elect Obama showed his support for the project by sending a letter of commendation, in which he praises Earth Day Network's Green Schools Campaign as an "example for our country." The new Administration can play a vital role in promoting the importance of green schools and environmental education and placing them at the top of the education reform agenda.
Earth Day Network is planning on several other school greenings in the coming year, including Phoenix, Chicago, Washington, DC and more.
Want to see more of what we accomplished? Watch a slideshow here!
New On Earth Day TV
Tune in now to this new interview on Earth Day TV:
New on Earth Day TV is an interview with Van Jones, the outspoken founder of Green for All. In his new book, The Green Collar Economy, Jones calls for massive investment in green jobs and a new direction for the environmental movement that includes everyone, regardless of income or political color, and not only those traditionally seen as "eco-chics" or "eco-freaks".