The annual Connect the Dots Green Schools Challenge pairs K-12 schools in DC, Maryland, and Virginia with green building mentors from our USGBC community to implement sustainable projects that enhance environmental literacy and improve building operations. This was the first year the program expanded to the National Capital Region and Maryland communities, and we had an exciting variety of participants and projects from across the DC metro region. We are proud to announce the 2017-2018 award winning projects, which will be celebrated at A Midsummer Night’s Green on July 19th!
Honor Award Winners: Discovery Elementary School, Arlington, VA and Notre Dame Preparatory School, Towson, MD
Students at Discovery Elementary School focused on promoting sustainable transportation options to reduce their carbon footprint. Eco-Action Green Leaders at the school advocated for bicycling to school as the favored method of transport. Through efforts such as encouraging “Two-Wheel Tuesdays,” adding a biking curriculum to the Physical Education program, and mapping out potential biking routes in the area, the school hopes to increase participation and awareness around reducing energy consumption through transportation. (Pictured right: Students at Discovery attend an assembly focused on biking.)
Notre Dame Preparatory School participated in a Lenten Carbon Footprint Fast to shed light on the impacts of waste and educate peers on the benefits of proper waste management. “No Waste Wednesdays” allowed students to learn the importance of reducing the amount of waste created. STEAM club members also focused on educating fellow students through various outreach methods such as videos, poems, a Green-IQ quiz, and even a fashion show showcasing wardrobe made from recycled materials! (Pictured left: Notre Dame Prep students participate in a Green-IQ survey activity on St. Patrick's Day.)
Data and Verification Award Winner: Glebe Elementary School, Arlington, VA
Glebe Elementary School students instituted a campaign to reduce the amount of waste created within the school. The Green Team at Glebe collected and measured waste creation and used weight estimates from Keep America Beautiful to calculate how much of that waste could be diverted from trash to recycling. In the end, they found that proper sorting methods could result in 97 lbs. of recyclable material being diverted from trash per school day. (Pictured right: The Green Team at Glebe measures how much collected waste should go in recycling.)
Student Engagement Award Winner: Green Acres School, North Bethesda, MD
At Green Acres School, what began as a question about installing a greenhouse and its effects on the school’s environment expanded to an engaging cross-educating experience. The cross curricular experiential learning has raised awareness and education on the significance of sustainability across the school. The school plans to keep rubrics and directions that were developed by students and use them as a basis of an environmental curriculum for upcoming years. (Pictured right: Four 5th graders at Green Acres share with 1st and 2nd graders a presentation they created on proper food waste management.)
Congratulations to all our 2017-2018 Connect the Dots Participants:
Franklin Montessori School, Rockville, MD
Thomas Jefferson Middle School, Arlington, VA
Sligo Creek Elementary School, Silver Spring, MD
Middleburg Montessori School, Marshall, VA
Westland Middle School, Bethesda, MD