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Green Schools and School Teachers: Getting Techie
LEED-Certified Green School Buildings
According to the US Green Building Council, LEED-certified and environmentally constructed schools cost less to operate—on average, up to 100,000 per year less. Studies show that carefully planned acoustics and abundant daylight can significantly improve students' capability to learn—and improve the well being of students and teachers. Cleaner indoor air means far fewer sick days. Plus, often, innovative design provides a hands-on learning opportunities.
How Green Building Works
"Green building" and "sustainable development" are the hottest terms in construction right now, but what do they mean, exactly? According to the Environmental Protection Agency Web site, green building is "the practice of creating healthier and more resource-efficient models of construction, renovation, operation, maintenance and demolition" [source: EPA]. Proponents say that green building is not only environmentally friendly, but also healthier and more cost-efficient. So what is sustainable development? Our sister site, How Stuff Works, explains.
Project Based Learning
Project Based Learning, according the website of the same name, is a method that takes a "comprehensive approach to instruction." Students, who are often more engaged when learning hands-on, participate in various projects, using interdisciplinary skills to accomplish tasks and goals. The Project Based Learning Checklist website offers customizable project checklists for written reports, multimedia projects, oral presentations, and science projects.
Green School Maintenance
Simple maintenance and facilities choices, such as using the Eco-Cube or Ecoblue Cube can save thousands of gallons of water each year because they allow water in urinals to be turned off, while letting naturally occurring microbes do the work instead. That saves both water and cash. Having a janitorial staff switch to greener cleaners—non-toxic commercial cleaners are increasingly available—can significantly help detoxify indoor environments by decreasing amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), leading to fewer sick days for teacher and kids, as well as increased productivity.
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