GreenSchools!

Thomas Stone High School Charles County School District Waldorf, MD October 24, 2013 8:00AM to 3:00PM

Welcome to the American Forest Foundations GreenSchools! Program. In partnership with the U.S. Forest Service this training is part of a GreenSchools! project that will provide both Professional Development and Environmental Action Service-learning funding for schools. We are looking forward to your participation. The GreenSchools! Program has three major components: 1) Professional Development: Environmental Education Training for High School and Middle School Educators and Students (Grades 5-12) Educators (2-3) and selected student leaders (5-10) receive training (one day) in Project Learning Tree, service-learning, and use of GreenSchools! Investigations. Workshop participants learn how to conduct GreenSchools! Investigations and complete GreenSchools! service-learning projects at their school. Participants will also be trained in the use of Project Learning Tree. 2) GreenSchools! Investigations Schools assess current environmental conditions in and around their school grounds using a set of GreenSchools! Investigations which include: Energy, Waste and Recycling, Water, School Site, and Environmental Quality. Each investigation consists of background information, a checklist, classroom inventories, and a list of possible action items. The investigations are conducted by students and school staff and conclude with their recommendations for projects that would have a positive environmental impact at their school site. The STEM discipline(s) of science, technology, engineering, and math are emphasized. School investigations and service-learning projects also involve technology (monitoring equipment; internet) and math (calculating energy usage; schoolyard measurements). Schools will also be trained in using energy monitoring equipment that will be provided for each school. It includes a light meter, temperature monitoring equipment, a watt-meter for measuring electricity, spring scale for measuring solid waste and a CO2 probe and Vernier lab quest to measure IAQ.

3) GreenSchools! Environmental Improvement Service-Learning Projects Grants will be awarded to schools to implement the action plans they develop through the investigations. GreenWorks! service-learning projects give students and the school community the opportunity to work together to improve an environmental aspect of their school or community. The one day workshop will be very interactive. Participants will be learning about environmental issues, monitoring different environmental parameters, discussing applications to their schools and communities, and developing an action plan to investigate their schools. The workshop goals include: Students and teachers will learn to use skills from science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) courses to address environmental challenges at their school. Participants will use a variety of monitoring equipment to assess energy, lighting, and environmental quality. Increased student and educator knowledge of environmental issues facing their school and community. Improved student skill set and sense of empowerment for taking responsible action on environmental issues impacting their schools and community. Environmental benefits, such as cleaner air and water or an aesthetically pleasing schoolyard habitat, for the greater community. Developing GreenSchools! that can serve as role models for other schools and community buildings, locally, nationally, and internationally. The school could be featured on the PLT GreenSchools! website. We are asking schools to bring the following information if possible: 1) A satellite image (GoggleEarth) or an aerial photo of your school site. If you can find an older image of the school site that would be great. 2) Utility information like your monthly or yearly information on the quantity or costs of the following: a. Electricity b. Natural Gas or other energy source c. Water d. Solid Wastes/Recycling 3) Any other unique environmental related information about your school. Special thanks to Vicki Arthur, Conservation ED Specialist (U.S. Forest Service) and Mike Hill, Landscape Architect (USDA Forest Service) for their tireless effort to make this training a reality. James McGirt jmcgirt@plt.org American Forest Foundation Washington, DC Amtcaht Edwards mkedwards@fs.fed.us US Forest Service Washington, DC

Thomas Stone PLT GreenSchools! Workshop Agenda Draft

Day # 1 (8:00 am 3:00 pm) GreenSchools! PLT Introductory Activity #14 Renewable or Not (This activity can be done outside or inside in a large open space.) Concept The standard of living of various peoples throughout the world depends on environmental quality, the availability, use, and distribution of resources. Introduction to the GreenSchools! Program (Projector Needed) The GreenSchools! Facilitators Agenda and Logistics What is Service-learning? (Projector Needed) Powerpoint - The Foundations to Service-learning The Service-learning Model, GreenSchools! in Action, GS Website & Student Videos (Authentic Student Voice) Meet the GreenSchools! Teams (This activity can be done outside or inside in a large open space.) Each Team draws a portion of their school-site. Highlights current environmental efforts on campus & future plans for their assigned area. Each team shares site map and introduces each team member. (Site map can be done in advance to save time.) PLT Activity Viewpoints on the Line. Participants express their views and opinions on different environmental issues by responding to statements. They complete the activity by rating their schools environmental performance at the current time. Introduction to PLT High School Module Focus on Forest Activity #1 Monitoring Forest Health The GreenSchools! Investigations Process The GreenSchools! Team Background for Schools and Energy Local Sources of Electricity Energy Use in Schools EPA Energy Star Schools Guest Speaker Thomas Stone Lead Facilities Manager Lunch GreenSchools! Energy Investigation: Classroom and School Surveys STEM - Energy Monitoring Use of Instruments Demonstrate use of:

Watt Meter Light meter Infra Red Thermometer Temperature and Relative Humidity Vernier Labquest & CO2 Probe Teams Investigate Classrooms/Hallways/Restrooms of Schools Teams Report Findings GreenSchools! School Site Investigation: Comprehensive School Site Surveys STEM Smithsonian Tree Banding Project (Use of tree caliper for growth measurement activity & Introduction of Tree Benefits.Com Web Tool) Students will conduct a forest health check-up of Thomas Stone forest area, take forestry measurements, evaluate the ecological services provided by trees and forest and Team Report Findings. Activities include: Pervious vs. Impervious Campus Calculation Plant and Wildlife Observation Measuring Tree Canopy Forest Health Indicators Team Reflection and Action Planning (Youth Voice)

GreenSchools! Website, Student Leadership and Grant Opportunities

Team Planning for the Future

Day #2 Webinar Conference Call (Video Conference) January 2013 (1 hour)