Pre- K 4 students learned about the coral reef. In weeks 4 and 5, students learned about the animals and plants that live in that habitat and compared the coral reef to their own habitat.

Each year, Edgewater Elementary Kindergarten students visit Camp Woodlands in Annapolis, MD. This one-day field experience is part of the Kindergarten environmental literacy unit “Trees are Terrific.” The unit includes 10 lessons that are taught either at school or during the trip to Camp Woodlands. This Kindergarten program is a great introduction to outdoor education, providing young students hands-on opportunities to learn about the environment. Students learn about trees and how to make a positive difference in our environment. Our students gained an understanding that trees are living things that grow overtime. They also learned that animals and humans depend on trees for food and shelter.

First Grade students participate in an environmental literacy unit called, “How Can We Help Monarch Butterflies”. During the unit, approximately 100 first grade students learned all about the Monarch butterfly. The students learned about the migration of the butterfly, and the metamorphosis process. Students observe butterfly growth and record data throughout the unit. Students start by observing what a monarch caterpillar eats and how it locates food. At the end of the unit, students observe the butterfly release and determine how a butterfly stays safe and survives in nature.

Second grade students learned about the migration of the Baltimore Orioles. Students demonstrated how some animals travel long distances to change habitats when the seasons change.

Third Grade students at Edgewater Elementary School participate in an Environmental Action Project. For this project, students apply the 21st Century skills they have acquired throughout the year (Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking and Creativity) to investigate and research local environmental issues.

Students analyzed different sources of power, such as solar power and fossil fuels. They created a list of pros and cons to determine the best source of power for their community.

To close our Government unit, 5th graders learned about laws that addressed the issues of single use plastic bags. After discussing the impact plastic bags have had on their community and around the world, students developed “Action Plans” to address these problems.

Green Team leaders shared information about our school's environmental literacy goals and the Green School application process. Additionally, example artifacts and timelines for submission were shared. The presentation was 20 minutes long and was presented to 35 members of the staff who were present at the meeting. The Google Slides used for this presentation were shared with all staff members who were not present.

Melissa attended the 2020 MAEOE Environmental Education Conference. The knowledge gained at the conference was share with members of the Edgewater Elementary School Green Team and other members of the Edgewater Elementary School staff.

Sarah attended the 2020 MAEOE Environmental Education Conference. The knowledge gained at the conference was share with members of the Edgewater Elementary School Green Team and other members of the Edgewater Elementary School staff.

Lila Mastroberti completed a self-paced Professional Development focused on energy consumption and conservation.

Kelsey Koss completed a self-paced Professional Development focused on Stormwater Management. During the course, Mrs. Koss learned about sources of stormwater pollution and their effects on the environment. Describe stormwater management solutions.

Edgewater Eagles participate in an annual Walk or Bike to School Day. Students and staff are encouraged to walk or bike to school to raise awareness and support for the health, community and environmental benefits of regularly walking or biking to school.

During the Spring of 2022, third grade students completed a schoolyard Report Card. Using the results, students identified litter on school grounds as an environmental problem affecting our school. Then, students researched how humans’ actions affect the health of the Chesapeake Bay and used their knowledge to encourage others to make changes to keep the Bay healthy. Students wrote Public Service Announcements about the importance of cleaning up litter before it makes its way to the Chesapeake Bay. The Public Service Announcements were shared on our school’s morning announcements. Students also created dioramas that were shared with students in other grade levels.

During a field trip to Arlington Echo during the fall of 2022, Fourth Grade students learned about the importance of keeping the Bay clean. After returning to school, students wrote articles providing reasons our school should have a school yard clean up to stop litter from polluting the Bay. As a result of these petitions, a school yard clean up was planned for the winter of 2023.

As part of their annual Environmental Action Project, Third Grade students at Edgewater Elementary School participate in Energy Walks. During the Energy Walk, students collect data to track the number of classrooms and offices that leave their lights on when people are not in the room. After analyzing the data from the 2022 Energy Walk, the students determined that action was needed to conserve energy at Edgewater Elementary School. Students created mini-posters encouraging all Edgewater staff and students to save electricity by turning off the lights. These mini-posters were delivered to every classroom and office at the school and still remain hanging near light switches in all areas of the building. Approximately 50 mini posters were created by 100 third grade students.

Teachers at Edgewater Elementary School utilize classroom jobs to promote student leadership and encourage responsibility. 21 classrooms have included the role of "lights" or "electrician" as part of their classroom jobs. When acting as the classroom's "Electrician," students make responsible environmental choices and model those choices for others by turning off lights when they leave a room.

During the 2022-2023 school year, the students of Edgewater Elementary began placing unopened food items from their school lunch on a shared table instead of in the trash can. This action taken by students to reduce solid waste in the cafeteria has transformed into the "Share Bin". Each day, approximately 50 students place unopened food items in the Share Bin instead of in the trash can. These items are then shared with other students who are still hungry.

During the 2021-2022 school year, students in First and Third Grade used recyclable materials for classroom projects. Students brought in the materials for these projects from home. This student-driven sustainability practice allows students to take an active role in reducing solid waste both at home and at school.

Each year, students across all grade levels bring in reusable water bottles to refill throughout the day. Approximately 400 students use reusable water bottles in the classroom each day. This action taken by students significantly reduces the number of paper cups and single use plastic water bottles used throughout the building.

During the 2021-2022 school year, students in grades K-5 learned about the importance of recycling and reducing solid waste. Intermediate students researched ways to reduce solid waste and decided to collect data to determine the effects of a Waste Free Wednesday. Data collected by intermediate students determined that Waste Free Wednesdays substantially reduce solid waste. As a result, one Wednesday each marking period during the 2022-2023 was designated as a Waste Free Wednesday. Each Waste Free Wednesday, approximately 175 students and staff participate in this student driven-sustainability practice.

Edgewater Elementary School students across all grade levels and content areas regularly work outside in our outdoor learning environments. These structures for environmental learning allow students to gain the benefits of learning in and about the environment. Edgewater Elementary School students and families are committed to enhancing our current Outdoor Learning Spaces. During the 2022-2023 school year, $34,000 was raised to enhance current outdoor learning spaces and support the creation of an additional outdoor classroom.

Edgewater Elementary School students across all grade levels and content areas regularly work outside in our outdoor classrooms. During the 2021-2022 school year, Fifth grade students in the Kindness Club decided to lead a service project focused on kindness and beautification. For this student-led service project, Fifth grade students collaborated with Ms. Malley, the art teacher, to help all 575 students at Edgewater Elementary School create Kindness Rocks. After rocks were painted, members of the Kindness Club added them to one of our Outdoor Classroom spaces. The rocks line the walkways through the Outdoor Classroom to beautify the area and help reduce erosion.

Edgewater Elementary students participate in the Girls on the Run program. Girls on the Run is an outdoor running club that utilizes the school grounds and encourages the students to spend time outdoors.

Edgewater Elementary School hosts a community recycling bin. The Abitibi Paper Retrieval collects catalogs, magazines, newspapers, junk Mail, office paper, fax paper, notebooks, and folders to be recycled. This program is free and provides the school and community with a 24/7, local year round recycling service.

During the Fall 2019 and the Fall 2021, Master Wildlife Animal Rehabilitator, Kathy Woods visited Edgewater Elementary for a full week of fun, hands-on learning! Kathy Woods is the co-founder of the Phoenix Wildlife Center. All students in third grade participated in hands-on learning experience where students learned about an animal rehabilitator job, and they learned how to respond if they find an injured animal in nature. Students learned the importance of helping animals return to their natural habitat. This on-going community partnership with master wildlife rehabilitator supports our school's commitment to being a green school.

Anne Arundel County Recycling Center partners with our school to visit and inform students of the history of our County landfill and the importance of expanding its life expectancy, the recycling process in the County, how to recycle at home and at school, the importance and benefits of recycling, and recycling programs that are offered at our county recycling centers. This on-going community partnership supports our student's ability to be lifelong stewards of the environment.