The TERP program provides an opportunity for students to gain real world experience using a hands-on, inquiry approach. Students collect growth data, observe behavior, and care for the diamondback terrapin from October through May/June. The terrapin data that is collected is used to reinforce student’s data analysis skills.

Each year scholars discuss how human impact affects the water supply. Classes complete a lab investigating the affect of Fats, Oils, and Greases on pipes as part of the service learning unit. They create a product to share in the local community. Finally, they assessed whether their outreach was successful.

As part of the Quarter 3 7th-grade RELA curriculum, students focus on the theme: People and the Planet. They explore the questions; "Is Zero Waste possible?", "What is the impact of plastic on the environment?" and "Why is Recycling so expensive?". Students in small groups conduct edresearch and wrote essays on recycling, climate change, natural resource conservation, etc.

At the November 2021 staff meeting, the Green Team sponsors gave a presentation on Environmental Literacy and the mission of the Green Team during our monthly staff meeting.

Building a MD Green School Attendance The training includes an overview of E-Literacy, steps to becoming a MD Green School, using the Schmidt Center Green School Template, sustainable practice ideas for the classroom and other related Green School content.

Green Team Meeting and PD for Schools

Terrapin Education This professional development is for 8th grade teachers that will be raising terrapin hatchlings with students in the classroom. Learning Outcomes for this PD - 1. To provide TERP program and head starting overview for teachers

2. To share how the TERP program can be used as an enrichment and or extension of the science classroom for data analysis.

7th Grade Wild Rice Curriculum Overview This professional development provides a curricular overview of the 7th Grade Science Student Service Learning Unit -Wild Rice and the Changing Landscape of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE). Teachers were introduced to the components of a MWEE by working in breakout groups with facilitators who model each lesson within the unit. Upon completion of this course, teachers will be able to facilitate the student learning process so that students are aware of how their actions may impact the environment.

Wild Rice Professional Learning Community This professional development will provide teacher facilitators with research-based environmental literacy strategies to share with teacher colleagues while implementing the wild rice unit in 7th grade science. Upon completion of the professional learning, each facilitator will be able to model the strategies used with teachers assigned to their cohort.

MD Green Schools Program - A Beginner's Guide This course will introduce teachers to the MD Green School Program (MDGS) and guide them through the certification process. Teachers will become familiar with the three core objectives in the program guidelines: Systemic Sustainability, Student-driven Sustainability Practices, and Community Partnerships. The Schmidt Center staff will share ideas and resources on how to accomplish each of the objectives and how the Schmidt Center will support schools throughout the certification window. During the course, teachers are provided opportunities to network and share ideas as well.

7th Grade Wild Rice Curriculum Overview This professional development provided a curricular overview of the 7th Grade Science Student Service Learning Unit -Wild Rice and the Changing Landscape of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE). Teachers were introduced to the components of a MWEE by working in breakout groups with facilitators who model each lesson within the unit. Upon completion of this course, teachers will be able to facilitate the student learning process so that students are aware of how their actions may impact the environment.

7th Grade Wild Rice Curriculum Overview This professional development provided a curricular overview of the 7th Grade Science Student Service Learning Unit -Wild Rice and the Changing Landscape of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE). Teachers were introduced to the components of a MWEE by working in breakout groups with facilitators who model each lesson within the unit. Upon completion of this course, teachers will be able to facilitate the student learning process so that students are aware of how their actions may impact the environment.

7th Grade Wild Rice Curriculum Overview This professional development provided a curricular overview of the 7th Grade Science Student Service Learning Unit -Wild Rice and the Changing Landscape of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE). Teachers were introduced to the components of a MWEE by working in breakout groups with facilitators who model each lesson within the unit. Upon completion of this course, teachers will be able to facilitate the student learning process so that students are aware of how their actions may impact the environment.

Building a MD Green School PD

Week long celebration planning outline. Activities will included a parade, student work on display, a school wide symposium, a tree planting, and a Mr/Ms Earth Day contest.

As we were just returning to in-person learning in the spring of 2021, the Green Team held a "Earth Day Everyday' commemoration which took place after Spring Break that year. At that time, we were still under Covid restrictions, so we had teachers include the attached presentation in the Google Classrooms.

In 2022 GMS held a Poster Contest which was well recieved by staff and students. The winning posters were displayed and the winning teams celebrated with prizes.

Students, staff and community members cleaned up the grounds of the school, reducing pollution flowing into the watershed.

Green Team students cleared leaves and debris from the draining areas on school grounds. Clearing the entries allows water to properly drain into the bio-retention pond. Also, removing the leaves and trash helps reduce pollution.

Students create signs to display above light switches throughout the school to encourage energy conservation and reduce our impact on climate change.

Recycling is an ongoing part of the green intiatives at GMS. Students collect recycling from each classroom 3 days a week. Our CRI student Recycling Team works Mondays, Grade 8 works on Wednesdays and Grades 6 and 7 on Fridays.

Students restore part of a local river with wild rice plants grown in their classrooms. Through the restoration project, students will increase the Patuxent River filtering capacity and restore natural habitat within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Greenbelt students have participated in this local restoration since 2014.

Students often enjoy learning outdoors in the school courtyard. Weather permitting, science, math, social studies, RELA and art classes often spend time in the school's courtyard area. This space provides opportunities/inspiration for artistic creation, earth science exploration, geometric measuring and environmental observation to name a few.

Students regularly ride their bikes to and from school. We have bike racks to help students secure their bikes while in school.

Students care for indoor plants to improve air quality and promote water conservation.

Social organization partnered with GMS staff and students to clean up the grounds and plant plants as well as work in the community at other locations like the local recreational center.

Plant Delivery to GMS from the Schmidt Center.

Waste Audit

Green School Updates for the new academic year.

Maryland Green Schools gathered at Sandy Point State Park to celebrate the year and recognize the achievements of those schools that took part in the Green Schools Program.