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 

Beach Grass Survives Hurricane Sandy

For the past 3 years, 3rd graders have planted beach grass at Plumb Beach.

The October storm did lots of damage...but the beach grass is still thriving.

Thanks Steve for sending the picture.

Butterfly Release

First graders raised butterflies as part of their insect study.

And released these pollinators to help gardens in Brooklyn.

Fairies at BNS?

Some mysterious creatures are building furniture fit for fairies in the garden beds.
New rooms sprout up after recess.
Materials used look a lot like nature objects found in Bug Hotel.

Johanna is trying to get to the bottom of this.

No Batteries Required

Kori's Kindergarteners Use Wind Power 

to Have Fun with Hand-Made Pinwheels

Restoring Energy Supplies in the Shade

Paola's First Graders Plant in Burlap Planter Bags with Carrie and Johanna

The planter bags will be hung on the fences of BNS absorbing rainfall and attracting pollinators. 

That's the planter bag on the right.  Beautiful smile but not a good shot of  bag.

Here are some photos of the workers.

 Good re-use of yogurt containers as digging tools.

     Everyone is pitching in.

Kids know that clean-up is part of gardening.

Bye Johanna. Sorry,  I didn't get one good shot of the planter bags!  Guess blog readers will have to visit the schoolyard to see them  for themselves.  Perhaps someone could send a picture to this blog.

More Pix of Kindergarten Woodworkers with Matt

Thanks to Rica, a parent woodworking volunteer for the pictures.

Look at what Kindergarten woodworkers are up to...

Matt and Sen, and other volunteers, help "K" students, plan, cut, and put together their own  structures.

These are from Kori's class...but every student in "K"will have a chance.

Stop by Studio 106A on most Fridays to woodworking  in action.

That's Matt on the left.

A Sign Found By Fourth Graders in the Rest Room of the Queens Botanical Gardens

Why a sign warning against drinking toilet water?  Ask a BNS 4th grader to explain.
(Look back for more information soon.)

Better late than never.  The QBGarden uses grey water in their toilets.  Who might drink from a toilet, you may wonder!  We sure did.