Can't You See

Song by J-JARSZ  Jylene, Jordan,  Ruby, April, Zoe, Sage, 

CO2’s like a blanket around the earth, it traps the heat and melts the icebergs.

It comes from your cars and big machines.

Stop all this to make the world squeaky clean, 

to make the world squeaky clean,

to make the world squeaky clean.

People, People, People

Can't you see?

The world is getting trapped with heat.

And now it’s time to change our ways.

It's getting even hotter every day. 

It's getting even hotter every day.

When it comes to caring ‘bout the earth in which we live,

 Everyone takes, but now it's time to give.

The  temperatures are rising, and so are all the seas.

Coal, gas and oil use is bad for all our trees.

Is bad for all our trees is bad for our trees.

People, People, People

Can't you see?

The world is getting trapped with heat.

And now it’s time to change our ways.

It's getting even hotter every day. 

It's getting even hotter every day.

In order to prevent, the world’s global warming

Turn off the lights, in the middle of the morning

Use electric cars and less fossil fuels, plant your own tree, grow your own food.

And stop this from happening.

People, People, People

Can't you see?

The world is getting trapped with heat.

And now it’s time to change our ways.

It's getting even hotter every day. 

It's getting even hotter every day.

People, People, People

Can't you see?

The world is getting trapped with heat.

And now it’s time to change our ways.

It's getting even hotter every day. 

It's getting even hotter every day.

A Grower of Dreams

A Thank You to Matt Sheehan

This plaque will be placed on the outside of the Ecocasita--A Dream Come True

Made by a Student in Paola's Class

Lila, Toshi, and Micaela's Blog on Solar Energy

Here is a copy of their page from Glogster...

You have to have a password to log on to Glogster to see it live.

Here is the paragraph large enough to read:

The solar panel uses the sun's energy to power the house.  The solar energy turns into electricity.  If it creates electricity it is considered ACTIVE solar energy.  Solar panels work by capturing the sun's energy.  Solar panels have lots of silicon in them.  Silicon is a type of metal that is full of electrons.  When the sun's energy hits the silicon, it knocks off the electrons.  The electrons can then be used to light a light bulb, heat water, power a fan, and more.

Watts are what we use to measure electricity.  We use kilowatts (that's thousands of watts) each day, but watts are expensive.  That's okay, not only is using sun's energy pollution free, but it's free.  You can save loads of money from using that giant ball of hydrogen in the sky!  Another great thing about using solar energy is more energy from the sun hits the earth in 1 hour, than we use in an entire year!  So there is no shortage of energy.  I know I want to switch to solar energy.

Matt and Sen Put Finishing Touches on Ecocasita...

Ecorama is postponed until Tuesday, June 11th.  But Matt and Sen are hard at work painting the outside days before.

Amy Sumner bugging Matt as he precariously balances to paint  the side  just a few inches from the fence.
as captured by Steve

A Sen's eye view of Matt...

Green roof looking yellow, pink and red....

Simple Ways You Can Help the Earth by J-Lynn....

Fuels we use are made of carbon.  (Millions of years ago dinosaurs and plants died. Their remains turned into petroleum and coal--which are carbon.)

Cars, planes, electrical factories--all use carbon fuels.

When carbon burns it mixes with oxygen to make carbon dioxide gas.

Carbon dioxide gas causes the Earth to get warmer, because carbon dioxide gas traps heat.

Here are some ways to help slow down climate change.

1. Unplug!  When you plug in devices, it wastes electricity.  Electrical factories will have to burn more carbon fuel to make more electricity.  The less electricity the less carbon dioxide gas will get in the air.

2.  Turn off!  When you leave the room, make sure all of the lights are off.  Because the electrical factories will have to burn more carbon fuel if you leave them on.

3.  Less plastic!  Don't drink out of plastic bottles. In the factories where they are made, they have to use carbon fuels.  Water bottles are brought to stores by trucks that burn fossil fuels.

4.  Exercise!  Is the place you are going to close?  Walk, take your bike, or your scooter.  Just don't use your car too much.  When cars are used, they release carbon dioxide gas in the air.  So don't drive, exercise.  It helps you stay fit, saves gas for when you really need it, and most importantly helps the planet stay cooler.

5.  Think!  Before you throw that something out,  think: Can you give that to your younger sibling?  Can you sell it?  Better yet, donate it?  Fossil fuels--made out of carbon--are used to make and take them to stores and bring them to landfills.

6.  Garden!  Grow fruits, flowers, and trees.  These plants take in carbon dioxide gas to help the Earth stay cooler.

4th Graders from Joanie's and Nancy's class work on tree pits...

So that the rainwater will be absorbed...and not wash pollutants into the sewers and waterways nearby...

Careful not to hurt the tree's roots

Add compost as you loosen soil.

Avoid putting soil on trunk...the tree will rot.

BNS Awarded Silver Flag and $500 Thanks to Josh's Class

Anna,

I know this is long but I wanted you to get the full picture...

In case you have been wondering why Josh's classroom lights have been off...

In an attempt to reduce energy and greenhouse gas emission at our school, Josh's class decided to join 5 other public schools (PS 295 and PS308  in Brooklyn, PS 69 and PS/MS3 in the Bronx and PS 199 in Manhattan) in the Eco-Schools USA Cool School Challenge. 

The class started the challenge back in April by conducting a classroom energy/waste audit. Kids used  a interactive carbon calculator to log in the data. The class used the data they collected to created and implement a plan to reduce carbon emissions in their classroom. They conducted the energy audit again after taking action for a month.They used the interactive carbon calculator to calculate how much CO2 they reduced.

Collectively, the schools diverted 795 pounds of CO2 per week during the time they  implemented the challenge. According to Eco-Schools USA that is the equivalent to the carbon sequestered/removed by 9.2 trees seedlings grown for 10 years.

Each school won $500 for their efforts. BNS also  earned a Silver Flag Award from Eco-School USA for completing the Eco-Schools Energy Pathway.

Classroom Audit

Electricity- Classroom Lighting

They looked at how many light bulbs turn on when they turned on the light switch? How much electricity does each bulb use in watts? How many hours a day are the light on? What types of bulbs do we use?

Solid Waste- Garbage / Recycling

How many full bins does the classroom fill each week? Does the class recycle?How much paper is used? Are both sides used? Does Josh drink coffee, water? Does he use reusable mugs/ disposable cups? 

Transportation- getting to and from school

They interviewed Josh for this...How does Josh gets to school? how many miles? does he carpool, walks, rides a bike, public transportation ....?

Energy- Vampires( devices that use energy when they are turned off...computers, smart boards, printers...) 

How many devices are in the classroom that use energy? What mode are they in, active, sleep/standby, power strip/unplugged?

Johanna