Arkansas Kids Clean Up

In Phillips County, Arkansas, kids are making a difference—they’re going green! Students are joining the GEAR UP Environmental Club to learn and teach others about how to conserve the environment.

GEAR UP is an acronym meaning “Gaining Early Awareness Readiness for Undergraduate Programs.” It is a program that helps kids prepare for college. Sound boring? Actually, students who participate in GEAR UP have a great time. They go on field trips, take part in activities, and participate in free after-school tutoring and summer programs.

During the 2008 GEAR UP Summer Program at Barton High School, which included “Go Green” week, a group of students decided to put their new environmental knowledge to good use. With the help of their GEAR UP coordinator, they formed the GUEC (GEAR UP Environmental Club).

GUEC doesn’t have many members (about 10 kids), but that doesn’t stop them from making a difference. They have started to recycle cans and other aluminum things to fund different activities. For example, when GUEC decided to celebrate their successful club they had a pizza party. Where did the money come from? All those soda cans they recycled!

GUEC also cleans the community and they have planted trees and flowers in different places.

“We’re just trying to do our duties as citizens of Phillips County,” says one member. And they definitely are.

 The GEAR UP Environmental Club is setting an example for the kids and adults in their community. So can you!

—Maya Fleming

Photo: Image Source Photography

Green Habits, Green Earth

How a school in Brooklyn learns about conservation.

When it comes to preserving the environment, every little bit counts. That’s the philosophy at Public School 254 in Brooklyn, New York, which is becoming more environmentally friendly each day. For example, the students here learned about how they could participate in Earth Hour from the science teachers.

On March 28, 2009, the world celebrated the first Earth Hour. During Earth Hour, people around the world were asked to turn off their lights and TVs for one hour—from 8:30 p.m. through 9:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

The lights in my classroom at P.S. 254 are usually off even during the day. We are taught at school to preserve and conserve all the time.

The school’s principal, Linda Alhonte, is encouraging teachers to discuss Earth Day, which is April 22, with their students. My science teacher set up a trip to Marine Park for the occasion. There, we plan to meet with a naturalist named Steven Brill. He will explain how to identify different trees and plants and how to know which are edible and which are not.

P.S. 254 is getting greener every day. At lunch, we are encouraged to throw our milk containers into recycling bins. And teachers are making sure we learn about the importance of the earth and how to preserve it.

Anyone can help our planet by planting a tree, turning off unneeded lights, or even by walking to school instead of riding in a car. What does your school do to help the environment? Post a comment, we’re eager to hear your answer. And remember, turn off all your lights for one minute at 9 p.m. on April 22, Earth Day!

—Alan Gelman

Photo: Kid Reporter Alan Gelman learns recycling habits at his school in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo courtesy Alan Gelman)

Environmental Elementary

How one New Jersey school thinks green.

Brunswick Acres Elementary School is one of the most environment-friendly schools in my community New Jersey community. Brunswick Acres believes that when it comes to the environment, there is always room for improvement.

“I think we can always find new opportunities and new ways to care for our environment,” said Joseph Anzek, the Principal of Brunswick Acres. He and, and 5th grade teacher Kenneth Kowalski talked to me recently about the importance of preserving the environment.

Brunswick Acres aspires to stand out as a role-model for other schools and institutions in the neighborhood, they told me.

“For example, if we got really good at recycling, the school could write all this down and send it to other schools to show them what we have accomplished,” Anzek said. “It will be like challenging them—and we'll be expecting that they will challenge us back!” He wants to create a healthy competition amongst local schools that is bound to make a major change in the community.

The Tulip Garden

Tulip Garden is a pilot project that Brunswick Acres started this academic year to nurture and cultivate pro-environment habits amongst young children.

“This project is making kids really look out for the environment,” Kowalski said.

Staff Members at the school encourage all students to get involved in environmental issues. They encourage kids to walk to school instead of riding in cars. For those who live too far away to walk, they encourage using the school’s buses for transportation.

Staff members also encourage students to use the same water bottle over and over again instead of throwing one out each day.

Using less paper, decreasing waste, and keeping school-grounds clean, are just a few of the essential things that every Brunswick Acres student follows in true spirit of Earth Day philosophy.

Brunswick Acres also has big environmental dreams and goals, ranging from doubling recycling efforts to installing energy-friendly solar panels on school roof-tops. At Brunswick Acres, students, teachers, PTO members, and parents team up to accomplish those goals.

What does your school do to help the environment. Click on the comment link below this blog post and tell us your thoughts!

—Gopa Praturi

Going Green in Michigan

Rochester plans biggest Earth Day Celebration in the state April 18-19

Rochester, Michigan, is ready for Earth Day. On the weekend before the April 22 celebration of all things Earth, the Upland Hills Ecological Awareness Center (EAC) will hold its fourth annual Earth Day Expo, the largest Earth Day celebration in the state of Michigan.  This year, the Earth Day Expo will be held April 18-19 in Rochester. 

The EAC started the Expo because they decided Earth Day was the best way to reach larger audiences with their message to conserve the environment. John Batdorf, Web master and fundraiser of the EAC told me that Upland Hills also makes renewable energy with wind and solar power, and organizes a variety of tours, seminars, and workshops for people who want to learn more.

The Earth Day Expo will have exhibits, presentations, and entertainment for all ages.  The main focus is centered around green (earth friendly) products.

“We want everyone to know that a lot of people are working on Earth friendly products and programs that can improve people’s lives and the community,” Batdorf told me. 

About 50,000 people are expected to attend. Batdorf said he expects the renewable energy exhibit that has helped the EAC and the Expo grow so rapidly over the last four years will be the most popular. 

Various businesses have helped make the Expo a success.

“They provide money or in-kind contributions (stuff we need) for the Expo,” he said.  “We provide them with exposure on our advertising signs.”

As you can see, the EAC and the Michigan community really benefit from the Expo.  Educating people about going green has really boomed in the past few years.  When people are aware of and understand how to go green, they can start to take action, like the EAC, and improve people’s lives and the community.

What does your community do to preserve the environment or to celebrate Earth Day? Click on the comment link below this blog post and let us know! We’d love to hear from you.

—Andrew Prina

Photo: Two young environmentalists work on art projects at the Rochester, Michigan, Earth Day in 2008. (Photo Courtesy UHEAC)