In the News: Green Schools

We want to share with you a recent story from the Maryland Daily, sent to us by one of our Maryland Climate Mamas. Seems that some of the local independent schools have taken green building to heart and have incorporated some incredible environmentally sustainable, good for the earth, features into their new building projects. Not only are the schools lowering their energy costs and their carbon footprints, they are also using the buildings to teach their students and local communities some valuable lessons about caring for our environment!

The Roland Park Country School in Baltimore built an entire athletic complex as a “green building” project, a key feature being the building’s 14,000 square foot green roof! We really do mean “green,” as the roof is planted with special grasses and seeds that not only absorb water, but also help filter pollutants and reduce storm water runoff. The roof is also painted a reflective white color to minimize the absorption affects of a traditional roof and to radiate the reflective light back out into our atmosphere, helping to negate something called the “heat island” effect, often found in big cities. The white roof also captures rainwater and channels it into a large tank that then stores and uses the water to cool the building and reduced reliance and use of city water.

Other green building ideas including utilizing the floor from the old gym to make “new” floors; Low flow plumbing fixtures; using Forest Stewardship Council certified wood harvested within 500 miles of the school; manufacturing the wood locally into cabinetry for the new building. Recycled materials were also used in the carpet, flooring, ceiling tiles and the outdoor running track.

Some of the science teachers at the school are using the whole athletic complex as a teaching tool in classes on sustainable design and architecture, as well as in science classes for subjects such as ecosystem habitats (what type of creatures now live up on that roof!). If your school district is considering renovations in the future, remind them that it is important to look at green construction options in their planning. There are many opportunities for significant cost savings on energy and water use, as well as teaching opportunities for the student body and the entire community!