Teachers Get an "A" In Environmental Education

Few public schools have designated classes to teach about the environment. What children learn is often only based on the passion and commitment of a teacher who will trudge them through muddy spring woods to find vernal pools or lead an energy audit for the classroom.

But as the world continues to get more crowded and natural resources become scarcer, today's children will likely be faced with ever more serious environmental problems - and need to learn how to find solutions as they become adults.

That's why Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and the Environment Ian Bowles recognized 23 Bay State Schools this week for going the extra mile to teach students about energy and the environment. Two non-profit groups were also honored. Funded through the Massachusetts Environmental Trust and the Commonwealth’s Clean Environment Fund, the $100-$500 awards are intended to fund further environmental education initiatives at the schools.

"These schools and teachers are going above and beyond curriculum requirements, acting locally to make a difference in protecting our planet while fostering the next generation of environmental stewards,' Bowles said.

The winners

Municipality: School/Program

AMHERST: Wildwood Elementary School in partnership with
Harvard Forest
“Harvard Forest Schoolyard Ecology”
Teacher Michael Silverstone

ATHOL-ROYALSTON: Athol-Royalston Middle School in partnership
with Harvard Forest
“Harvard Forest Schoolyard Ecology”
Teacher Judi Miller

BARNSTABLE: Cape Cod Groundwater Guardians
“Wet and Wild Water Festivals” and “Project Tour”
Teacher Gabrielle Belfit

BARRE Quabbin Regional High School:
“Envirothon Team’s Energy Expo”
Teacher Rebecca Bottomley

BERLIN Berlin Memorial School
“EIC Model”

BROCKTON: Brockton High School
“Ecology Class, 11th and 12th grades”
Teacher Eleri Merrikin

CAMBRIDGE: Cambridge Rindge and Latin School
“Global Community Project: The Climate Change Year”
Teacher Sara Colby

CHARLTON Charlton Middle School
“The Green Club”
Teacher Erin Anderson

DANVERS Essex Agricultural & Technical High School
(Hathorne) “Environmental Science & Technology Program”
Charles Saulnier, Department Head and Instructor

FRANKLIN Remington Middle School Titans Team
“Energy Conservation Public Service Campaign”
Teacher Laura Chiaravalloti

HOLDEN Leroy E. Mayo Elementary School/Wachusett Regional
School District
“Mayo Forest Rangers”
Teacher Jennifer Leith

HOLYOKE Lean on Me Family Center, Inc
“Atlantic Salmon Egg Rearing Project” and “Holyoke Environmental Action Team”
Director Yvonne Garcia

LEXINGTON Lexington High School
“Alternative Energy and Carbon Footprint Projects”
Steven Wilkins and the Members of Envirothon Science Team

MONSON: Monson High School
Envirothon Team “Environmental Action Team”

NEW BEDFORD: Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech High School
Environmental Science and Technology Students
“Atlantic White Cedar Swamp Restoration Project”
Teachers Christopher Pires and Lawrence Carlesi

NORWELL Grace Farrar Cole School
“The Hatch Pond Education Center”

PEABODY Captain Samuel Brown School
“Energy Awareness and Action”
5th Grade Teachers Diane Bugler, Joanne Campbell and Ed Fouhey

PEPPERELL Nissitissit Middle School
“Grade 7 Life Science”
Teacher William Pineda

PLYMOUTH Plymouth Public Schools, District-wide
“Energy Management and Education Program”

ROYALSTON See Athol-Royalston

SPRINGFIELD Springfield Central High School
“Envirothon Team”
Teacher/Coach Naomi Volain

SUDBURY Curtis Middle School
“Purple Loosestrife Biocontrol Project”
Teacher Paula Feynman

TAUNTON Friedman Middle School
“Gang Green” Student Group
Matt Stellar, Energy Manager and
Principal John Cabral

TAUNTON Martin Middle School
“Student Energy Managers”
Joe Prioli, Matt Stellar and Principal Chris Baratta

WARWICK Warwick Community School
“Sustainability Initiative”

WEST SPRINGFIELD: West Springfield Middle School
“Schoolyard Ecology”
Teacher Jessica Greene