Green Education Council News

The Annual Metropolitan Science and Engineering Fair (MSEF) took place on March 9, 2013 at the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium Conference Center. The event gives students grades 7-12 an opportunity to present and display their research projects and have their projects judged by area college instructors and practicing professionals in the project’s field. This year, for the first time, those entering in “Category 11. Environmental Management” where able to submit entries proposing projects to reduce the waste of environmental resources at their school. Members of the Green Education Council were present to do a second judging of these projects.

Four awards were given to recipients in the junior division:

1st Places (tie)
1st Place winners of this second judging received a $30 prize plus $125 to fund the project they proposed.

• Griffin Peterson from King Science for a project to document and promote the recycling of plastic milk containers at school lunches.
• Lauryn Caster from Brownell-Talbot for a project documenting the effects of pH, temperature and fermentable starting material on the ability of yeast to generate biofuel alcohol.

2nd Places (tie)
2nd Place winners received a $20 prize and $75 to fund their project.

• Kara Lemkau from Lifegate Christian School for a project on conditions promoting the degradation of bio-plastic (PLA) vs. oil-based plastic forks.
• Douglas Weidner from King Science for a study comparing the properties of 3 different homemade bio-plastics.

Congratulations to all and a big thank you for everyone who helped make the event a success!

For more information, visit: http://www.msefomaha.org/ About.html

The GEC Sustainable Presentation Program is available for the small group elementary age classroom setting. The presentation is designed to offer age appropriate sustainable information to inspire your students. Contact the GEC for scheduling the presentation for your class.

Our next GEC meeting will be held on Monday 11/5/12 at 12:00 at Kiewit, 3921 Mason Street. Contact larry.hopp@kiewit.com for the agenda and call-in inofrmation.

Two Omaha Public Schools have been named among the inaugural U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools. Lothrop Magnet Center at 3300 N. 22nd St. and Miller Park Elementary at 5625 North 28th Ave. are among 78 schools receiving the honor.

The program, established last year, honors schools that exercise a comprehensive approach to creating green environments by reducing environmental impact, promoting health and ensuring a high-quality environmental and outdoor education to prepare students with the 21st century skills and sustainability concepts for the growing global economy.

Lothrop Magnet Center students recycle items such as paper, crayons and juice boxes. Students and staff carry out daily recycling efforts at breakfast and lunch, including collecting leftover food and donating it to community groups for garden composting. Students learn about alternative energy sources and ways to prevent erosion and soil pollution. The school is a member of the Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration, through which it serves as a mentor to other schools that are beginning environmental programs.

Miller Park Elementary has the highest ENERGY STAR rating in the district. The school works rigorously to ensure that energy and resource conservation measures provide opportunities for school-wide savings and reduce environmental impacts. Additionally, an energy-efficient geothermal system was installed at the school, the building was re-lamped and its policies on light use were revised. Its irrigation system covers approximately half the grounds, and is manually managed and adjusted based on weather. The grass is native buffalo grass, which is drought tolerant.

-Contributed by Wendy Harrison

Non-profit organization providing curriculum and resources. Visit www.greeneducationfoundation.org to register for free & to gain full access to their material.

Lothrop Elementary Science Magnet Center (3300 North 22nd Street) has earned their second “Green School” award while becoming the first Omaha school to reach the gold leaf achievement level.
On Tuesday, October 11 at 3:00 p.m., Lothrop Elementary Science Magnet School will receive during a school wide pep rally, a Green School plaque recognizing their accomplishment of earning the Metro’s first gold leaf level in the Green Omaha Coalition’s Green Schools program. The effort is led by Science Specialist, Pamela Galus and her student green teams. With strong administrative support, the student group has tackled a wide range of sustainability initiatives that have elevated Lothrop as a model school for creative sustainability. These student led efforts include such projects as the creation of an extensive recycling program – including composting lunch waste, resulting in the donation of roughly 25 gallons of compost per week to area garden clubs. Students gain valuable leadership skills through insuring that lights are not left on in empty rooms, that water is not left running in restrooms, and by teaching proper recycling. They have learned to challenge the status quo as they constantly seek new ways to improve their school’s sustainable results.

The next Green Education Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 14, 2011 @ 12:00 p.m.  We will be meeting at the Lamp, Rynearson & Assoc office - 14710 West Dodge Road, Suite 100.  For Agenda & teleconference info, please contact larry.hopp@kiewit.com.

Looking forward to your input.

Awards for the 2011 Green Omaha Coalition – Grassroots Competition!

$1000 Grand Prize – Creighton Prep and their Junior Green Jays for maintaining a group dedicated to environmental issues and developing a school vegetable garden.

$500 Prize – King Science Center for helping to maintain recycling efforts established last year, forming an afterschool environmental club dedicated to environmental issues within the school , and engagement by the group in school and community cleanup initiatives.

$500 Prize – VODEC Adult Transition Program for continuing efforts at engaging students in environmental issues, advancing efforts in recycling at its three locations and salvaging old T-Shirts and making them in to shopping bags.

We sincerely thank all that participated in the competition and our sponsors:  USGBC Flatwater Chapter & Metropolitan Utilities District.

We wish everyone luck in next year’s competition….nice job!