Problem-Solving+Groups

=Learn about “systems thinking” (eventually there will be a link for it) & research and develop a plan to recommend for adoption. =


 * Don't forget to post a note on the "Sustainability Goals" page if you want other folks to work with you.**

**Topic Possibilities:**
• **Energy Conservation:** How can we (staff and students) use less electricity and not sacrifice our programs?

• **Waste-Free Snacks/Lunch:** How can we promote healthier eating and reduce what we send to the landfill by moving towards trash-free snacks and lunches? FYI: Several parents are interested in this topic. Talk with Jill Miller. Below are suggestions she passed along: code Eco-Cycle's Recycling and Environmental Education Program provides two opportunities for Boulder County schools to reduce their lunch waste. The first is the Litterless Lunch Project. To participate, a class must first weigh their lunch trash during one "normal" week and record the weight each day per capita (divide weight of trash by number of students who brought cold lunch that day). We then visit their classroom and give a presentation on how to help the earth by preventing waste, especially waste related to lunch trash. At the end of the presentation the class is challenged to have a "litterless lunch" week and each student is given a reusable cloth lunch bag. One week later we return to check in with the class and see how their week went. We do some math problems to show how even the smallest difference made by one person can add up to a huge reduction in the amount of trash we have and the amount of natural resources that we use!

The second lunch waste reduction project schools participate in is the Waste Free Lunch Contest. Last year five schools competed to see which one could reduce their lunch waste by the biggest per capita percentage. We recorded each school's lunch weight twice during a "normal" week and twice during a "waste free" week. A student group at each school helped promote the project with posters, announcements, and short presentations to classes. Each school significantly reduced their lunch trash, one by more that 50%! The winning school received $500 to spend on recycled office supplies.

Also see http://www.laptoplunches.com/articles/MontereyHerald.html

code

• **Trash:** How much can we reduce the kinds and amount of trash (plastic, packaging, used goods, etc.) we send to the landfill and not sacrifice our programs?

• **Transportation and Fitness:** How might we promote physical fitness and reduce the number of cars driving to and from school? (Dack may be tackling this. Parent Jill Miller is also a resource. 9th Grader Sam Falken is doing his research project on transporation.)

• **Green Purchasing:** Can we purchase “green” goods, quantities, and services and still be fiscally responsible over the long term?

• **Alternative Energy:** What are some specific ways that our growing use of alternative energy can be integrated into science and technology classes in each division?

• **Kitchen Garden:** What are the costs, benefits and challenges involved in setting up a kitchen garden to be used as an educational tool and as a source of healthy food for our cafeteria/snack program? (Talk with Deanna Moss about what is already happening.)

• **Sustainable Schools:** What can we learn from what other schools have accomplished or attempted?

• **Paper Use:** Can we significantly reduce the amount of paper we consume without adversely affecting our programs and our students’ learning?

• **Green Meetings:** How can we be gracious hosts to parents and visitors while minimizing the resources we use and the trash we produce?

• **Curriculum Study - A:** In what ways are aspects of environmental education, sustainability, and systems thinking integrated into our curriculum at specific grade levels? (Rubicon)

• **Curriculum Study - B:** Could integrating sustainability principles into our existing curriculum make it more experiential, cross-disciplinary, and/or suitable for multi-age projects?

• **Curriculum Study – C:** Do global education concepts and sustainability principles overlap in a meaningful way that could enrich our curriculum and experiences?

• **Curriculum Study – D:** Does our program of field trips, outdoor education experiences, and hands-on learning ensure that students have first-hand knowledge of their environment?  =Food for thought: = = = code Here are links to a radio and a video report on Richard Louv's book:

Check out the NBC video report in which Ann Curry talks with Richard Louv about why kids should experience nature firsthand and how families might work together. http://richardlouv.com/appearances

NPR Interview with Richard Louv (5 min.) in which he briefly explains what he calls nature-deficit disorder and E.O. Wilson’s ideas on the biophilia hypothesis. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4665933 code

 **You'll find links to these idea pages in the left frame:** Individual & Small Group Projects Whole School or Division Projects Reading & Discussion Film & Discussion Field Trips & Tours