Criteria |
Examples of Activities |
Examples of Documentation |
Objective
I
Curriculum & Instruction |
| The environment as a context for learning |
Students
examine and evaluate data to identify the decline in horseshoe
crab populations. They read a newspaper article to be informed
about the reasons for the decline. Students read to perform
a task about how to raise horseshoe crab eggs. They construct
the rearing tank, raise and monitor the crabs, and record their
weekly observations and reflections in their science journals,
and eventually release the crabs. |
- Student
journals
- PTA/School
newspaper articles
- Original
teacher lesson plan
|
| Professional
Development |
Teachers
attend an Aquatic Resource Education Workshop or the Principal
develops a school instructional workshop for developing performance
tasks that use local environmental issues as the authentic context
for learning. |
- Workshop
agendas
- Summary
paragraph by teacher reflecting on workshop experience
- Workshop
product
|
| Celebration |
Students
plan and implement a dedication program for the School yard
Forest that they planted with their local forestry board. School,
staff, parents, partners, and members of the school community
attend. |
- Photographs
- Newspaper
Article
-
Program
|
Objective
II
Operation & Design of School Building & Grounds |
| Water
Conservation |
Students
install low-flow water devices in school sinks. |
- Water
meter readings
- Newspaper
article
|
| Water
Pollution |
Students
evaluate erosion at school site. They create and implement action
plan to control erosion with assistance from local Soil Conservation. |
- Letter
to Soil Conservation requesting assistance
- Action
Plan
- Photograph
|
| Energy
Conservation |
Students
contact their school's electric company to determine how they
can save energy. They develop and implement an action project
to reduce energy in school. Students monitor plan by using monthly
bill to determine % of electricity conserved. |
- Student
Energy Audit
- Action
Plan
- Math
lesson plan on calculating the % of energy saved on monthly
electric bill
|
| Solid
Waste |
Using
a blueprint or construction plan for a compost bin, students
calculate the lumber and materials needed to construct the compost
bin. Students build the bin, and monitor lunch waste composted. |
- Student
calculated materials list
- Student
designed home composting pamphlet for parents
|
| Natural
Habitat Restoration |
Using
a school map they created, students complete a habitat evaluation
of their school grounds. They identify areas for habitat restoration
and develop a 5 year implementation plan. |
- Student
habitat checklist
- 5
year habitat restoration plan
-
School map with identified habitat restoration area
|
| Students
identify areas of "no mow" on their school grounds. They write
to inform their principal and maintenance staff about the value
of "no mow" areas and request permission to establish a no mow
location. They design, construct and erect signs that indicate
a no mow area. |
- School
map designating "no mow"
- Letter
to principal
-
Pictures of "no mow" grass
|
| Building
Structures |
Students
read to be informed about building a bluebird trail. They evaluate
their school grounds and identify areas for placement of bluebird
boxes. The build and erect boxes on trail and monitor the boxes
throughout the nesting season. |
- Bluebird
Trail Map
- Writing
Journals
- Data
collected
-
Photographs
|
| Students
identify a location for an outdoor study site/trail on their
school property. They work with the PTA to design and implement
their project. |
- PTA
agenda
- Dedication
ceremony program
- School
newspaper article
|
|
Responsible Transportation |
High
school students develop and implement a "Share a Ride" plan
for after school activities. The plan includes a process for
establishing car pools for students who participate in after
school activities. |
- Share
a Ride
- Data
representing car pool results
- Flyer
to advertise Share a Ride
|
| Healthy
Environment |
Students
monitor drinking fountain for lead content and report their
findings to the principal and the school board. |
- Data
- Letter
to the Principal
- Report
by Students
|
Objective
III
School & Community Partnerships |
| Local
Community Partnerships |
Students
work with the local Chamber of Commerce, Master Gardeners, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife, and Boy Scouts to complete a BayScapes project
at the county library. |
- Newspaper
Article
- Grant
from the Chesapeake Bay Trust for plants
- Letter
to Partners
|
| Community
Partnerships at the School |
Local
building contractor and the Soil Conservation Service donate
services to assist students with the construction of a wetland
area on the school property. |
- Map
of Site
- Project
Calendar
|
