Systemic Sustainability

Environmental Curriculum and Instruction

1.1 Activities

Elementary & middle schools must provide one example of outdoor/environmental instruction per grade level.

High schools must provide one example of outdoor/environmental instruction in four subjects (which may include multiple different differents sciences).

Grades
Grade 6
Class Name (3rd grade science, AP Biology)
Date
Thu, 20 Oct 2022
Lesson / Activity
School Yard Eroson
Teacher Name
Megan Kruger
Students Count
230
Activity Description

Students completed a school yard evaluation to determine areas that needed support with erosion prevention. The 6th graders researched possible solutions to prevent or reduce the amount of sediment that eroded. They then worked in groups to develop and design a plan for our school yard habitat.

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Grades
Grade 6
Class Name (3rd grade science, AP Biology)
Date
Wed, 22 Feb 2023
Lesson / Activity
Climate KNOWLedge
Teacher Name
Jeremiah Pointer
Students Count
221
Activity Description

Students researched climate and weather and collected relevant data for our school. Students then researched how Earth's systems are impacted by climate change. Students then conducted school yard report cards for our school community. The student researched why some areas are disproportionally affected by climate change. The culminating experience is a field trip where students investigated mitigation and adaptations to climate resiliency.

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Grades
Grade 7
Class Name (3rd grade science, AP Biology)
Date
Wed, 16 Nov 2022
Lesson / Activity
Water Quality - Duckweed Pond
Teacher Name
Carol Richardson
Students Count
221
Activity Description

Students investigated how the water quality affects the duckweed plant. Students developed and carried out the investigation and then analyzed the results. They then examine our water quality for the Patapsco River and determined how the environment was affected by the water quality.

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Grades
Grade 7
Class Name (3rd grade science, AP Biology)
Date
Thu, 21 Apr 2022
Lesson / Activity
Blue Heron Pond Town Project
Teacher Name
Edward White
Students Count
222
Activity Description

Students were given the Blue Heron Town project where each student group was given one perspective on how the town utilizes the land. Students reached the causes and effects of how their perspective impacts the land and the environment. As a culminating experience, students developed a research project that examined; the current water quality, the effects of pollution on the food web, sources of pollution, and the overall consensus. As an extension project, they investigated our current land use in Maryland and how they could make a positive impact on our local ecosystem.

Other Files

10_7 - Land Use in Maryland_Land Use Scavenger Hunt 22-23 (1.06 MB)

Research material for students.

Example - PD 1 Group 2 - LT Big Challenge -Blue Heron Pond Town Project Introduction (2.23 MB)

Student example from the perspective of Hotel Owners

Grades
Grade 8
Class Name (3rd grade science, AP Biology)
Date
Tue, 3 Jan 2023
Lesson / Activity
Ocean Acidification
Teacher Name
Danielle Stephenson
Students Count
221
Activity Description

Students investigated how excess CO2 impacts the oyster population in the Chesapeake Bay. in conjunction with learning about the pH of the water, students examine oyster shells, researched and conducted an investigation of the chemical equations that oysters use to develop their shells, and finally conducted an experiment on how excess CO2 affects the pH levels.

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Grades
Grade 8
Class Name (3rd grade science, AP Biology)
Date
Tue, 15 Mar 2022
Lesson / Activity
Air Quality
Teacher Name
Ryan Price
Students Count
221
Activity Description

Students investigated how pollution affects the quality of the air. Each group researched one of the deadly 6 molecules that are present in our atmosphere. Students presented how the chemical was added to the atmosphere, the chemical equations, and how we could reduce the number of chemicals in the atmosphere. As a culminating experience, students developed a presentation to present at our Environmental Day and how our community could have a positive impact on the quality of our air in our community.

Other Files

Copy of AQ 6.1 Group Project (784.42 KB)

Air Quality Project example

Sulfur dioxide final project (1.53 MB)

Student example - Sulfur Dioxide

1.2 Green School Awareness

1.2.1 School Wide Awareness - Staff

Demonstrate that all school personnel are aware of the Green School status of your school and the application process.

Summary Description

Staff participated in a school-wide Green School Certification. We examined where were have been in our journey, where we are going this year, and future steps. We explore the current staff and student initiatives.

Date
Mon, 30 Jan 2023
Staff in Attendance
52
Meeting Description

Staff was present at PIP planning meetings and time was devoted to covering our Green School Application. We discussed where we have been, which initiatives we've already incorporated, and where were are planning on going. We discussed our staff initiatives and what staff could do to decrease our energy consumption. We were charged with two actionable items that all staff could work to improve throughout the year.

Images
Other Files

Green School Presentation pdf (5.31 MB)

Staff Presentation Slides

1.2.2 School-Wide Celebration

Demonstrate how your school celebrates beig a Green School by hosting a school-wide environmentally-focused event open to all students.

Summary Description

As a culminating experience our staff, students, and community participated in a school-wide celebration. During the day, in science classes, students engaged in Earth Day events, centered around local wildlife, the bay ecosystem, and pollution. Students then participated in a guest speaker where we discussed our environmental impact and how our community is contributing negatively to the health of the Chesapeake Bay. In the evening, there were several events both outside and inside the school to promote a positive impact and environmentally friendly decisions we could make to increase a positive impact on the Bay and our ecosystem.

Grades
Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8
Other Grades
Date
Fri, 22 Apr 2022
Celebration / Event title
Go Green Go Patapsco
Event Description

Throughout the evening celebration our community participated in the following events:

  • Tree Planting and Students speakers on our environmental impact and ways to use energy sustainably
  • Music being played that included music in the environment
  • Supporting your health with basketball and soccer
  • Planting plants into the Patapsco Garden and beautifying our outside space.
  • Presentation from the Howard County Library on Environmental Programs and Books offered at the library
  • Planting of Native seeds to take home and plant in our communities own garden
  • Mt Hebron environmental club and efforts for conservation and energy usage
  • Master Gardeners presentation on composting
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Environmental Professional Development for Teachers

1.3.1 Environmental Professional Development for Teachers

Demonstrate that 10% of staff have completed an environmental PD. Instructional staff is defined as any staff that manages a gradebook.

  • New Schools must have all PD completed within the past 2 academic years.
  • Renewing schools must have all PD completed within the past 4 academic years.

A teacher who has participated in multiple workshops may only be counted once..

Summary Description

After speaking with educators within our school community, it was determined that we needed a school-wide presentation on how conservation and use of energy are relevant to all classrooms. In conjunction with the Howard COunty Conservancy, we developed a presentation that provided a hands-on workshop on Climate Change.

Number of Teachers
52
Date
Tue, 28 Feb 2023
Teacher
Ann Strozyk and All Staff
Development Description

Patapsco, in conjunction with Howard County conservancy, presented where we are as a nation with climate change and how we can make a productive impact on the environment within our classroom. Teachers worked in groups to develop a list of ideas, alongside experiences at the Conservancy. Teachers walked away with ideas and a charge of how they could integrate conservation efforts within their classrooms.

Images
Other Files

Patapsco Middle School Climate 2.28.23 (5.75 MB)

Presentation to Staff

1.4 Achieving Sustainable Schools

1.4.1 School-Wide Staff Sustainability

Demonstrate the sustainability practices your teachers, staff, and other personnel have implemented school-wide to make your school green. Any actions involving students belong under Objective 2.

Behavior Change

The following items were instituted as a school-wide environmental change:

  • Newsletter with Energy-Efficient Tips Implementing Policies to reduce paper usage Two-Sided Copies and Use of Canvas
  • Installation of Energy-Efficient Lighting – Phase 1 Outside Lighting and Gymnasium Lighting Phase 2 – Classroom
  • Mindful Light Use – ½ Lights or natural lighting
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1.4.2 Systemic Partnership

Demonstrate one partnership with a central office or board within the school system that supports part of the Maryland Green Schools Program. Any partnerships outside of your school system belong under Objective 3.

Summary Description

We've established the following partnerships within HCPSS central office for our Green School initiatives.

  • Secondary Science Office - implementing environmental education into the curriculum.
  • Building Services – Building Native Garden Boxes for Portable Classrooms
  • Outdoor Education Program – 6th Grade Outdoor Education Event HCPSS Facilities Office – Energy Evaluation and Speaker on energy usage. Installation of LED lightbulbs to replace the current light bulbs.
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Student Action

Schools must document eight total actions that address at least three of the listed sustainability practices.

These are student actions not adult actions. Adult sustainable actions can be documented in Objective 1.4.

2.1 Water Conservation/Pollution Prevention

2.1 Water Conservation/Pollution Prevention

Date
Wed, 12 Oct 2022
Activity title
Environmental Club Clean Up
Activity Description

Design and Execute a plan to remove litter from Schoolyard – Environmental Club collected litter on school grounds prior to the litter reaching the Patapsco River. This is completed multiple times throughout the year.

Images
Date
Fri, 28 Oct 2022
Activity title
Erosion Control
Activity Description

Research and Design an erosion control project to reduce the amount of erosion on the school grounds. They conducted an experiment to determine the most effective method to reduce erosion. As a culminating experience, they developed a model of their recommendation for the area.

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2.2 Energy Conservation

2.2 Energy Conservation

Date
Mon, 13 Mar 2023
Activity title
Switch Plate Covers
Activity Description

Green Team designed switch plate covers to encourage energy conservation by turning off lights when the classroom is empty. The green team also went around and turned off lights when staff/students were not in their rooms.

Images
Date
Mon, 13 Mar 2023
Activity title
Energy Audit
Activity Description

Green Team participated in an energy audit with HCPSS and examined the data to see where all of the energy is used within the school building. Students conducted an investigation on phantom energy and how much wattage is used to charge Chromebooks, presenters, and air purifiers.

Images
Date
Mon, 16 Jan 2023
Activity title
Energy Saving Tips
Activity Description

Green Team Researching and reporting out Energy Saving Tips for the morning announcements. Energy Saving Tips are also included in the Knightly Newsletter for our community.

Images
Other Files

AWESOMENESS_SAVE ENERGY (371.95 KB)

Student-produced energy tips for the morning announcements.

Date
Mon, 7 Nov 2022
Activity title
Solar Panel and Energy Conservation
Activity Description

6th Grade math students conducted an analysis of solar power. Mathematicians calculated how much energy was saved by installing solar panels in their homes.

Images
Date
Thu, 17 Mar 2022
Activity title
Energy - Climate Readings
Activity Description

Students self-selected which reading they preferred to learn more about climate change. Students completed the reading and then assesses their understanding through CommonLit.

Images
Other Files

Alaska & Climate Change (Period 3 2021_22) (1) (336.11 KB)

Student results from climate change

Teens & Climate Change (Period 3 2021_22) (1) (338.35 KB)

Student results from climate change

Tiny Plastic, Big Problem (Pd. 3 2021_22) (5) (471.41 KB)

Student results from climate change

2.3 Solid Waste Reduction

2.3 Solid Waste Reduction

Date
Wed, 9 Nov 2022
Activity title
Recycling Bins
Activity Description

Green Team designing instructional posters for school-wide usage of recycling bins. Green Team regularly monitors and manages the school recycle bins within the classrooms. When the students walked around, they noticed that many students were not using the recycle bins properly, so they developed a Kahoot for other students to play during Knight time to review what materials should be recycled within the classroom.

Images
Date
Wed, 13 Apr 2022
Activity title
Upcycling Art
Activity Description

Students repurposed the use of materials in art projects in their art classes. As a culminating experience, students developed & decorated bulletin boards.

8th Grade students participated in a recycled paper artwork in celebration of Earth Day

Images

2.4 Habitat Restoration

2.4 Habitat Restoration

Date
Fri, 10 Jun 2022
Activity title
Butterfly Garden
Activity Description

Environmental Club designed, built and maintain a butterfly garden. They tilled the land and planted native plants into the garden to attract wildlife and butterflies. The following native plants were added to our habitat project; common milkweed, swamp milkweed, fennel, mountain mint, joe pye weed, butterfly weed, turtle head, verbena, lobelia, cardinal flower, native honeysuckle, yarrow, lavender, blue eyed grass, coneflower, black eyed susan, bee balm, salvia, aster, false indigo, beauty berry.

Images
Date
Tue, 14 Feb 2023
Activity title
Bird Houses
Activity Description

A group of 8th-grade students built birdhouses and bat houses that will be added to their community homes and around our school grounds.

Images
Date
Mon, 14 Nov 2022
Activity title
Monitoring Bird Life
Activity Description

7th Grade students, in conjunction with Cornell University, monitor the bird activity on our school grounds

Images
Other Files

Patapsco Middle School - Project Feederwatch Data - 2022-2023 (91.97 KB)

Examples of data collected throughout the year.

2.5 Opportunities for Nature Exploration

2.5 Opportunities for Nature Exploration

Date
Mon, 6 Feb 2023
Activity title
Outdoor Classroom
Activity Description

Outside of the application window, an outdoor classroom was built for students and staff to use throughout the day. Since the building, students can ask and encourage all teachers to consistently use the outdoor classroom for their lessons. Staff then signs up to reserve the space for student use.

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2.6 Responsible Transportation

2.6 Responsible Transportation

No records were added by the school.

2.7 Healthy Indoor Environments

2.7 Healthy Indoor Environments

Date
Tue, 11 Oct 2022
Activity title
Watering Plants
Activity Description

6th, 7th and 8th-grade students propagate and maintain indoor plants in the science classrooms to enhance air quality.

Images
Date
Wed, 16 Nov 2022
Activity title
Monthly Clean Up
Activity Description

Environmental Club conductions monthly clean-up events to maintain a litter-free environment. The students break up into sections around the school grounds and collect as much litter. Student groups are currently working on ways to reduce the amount of litter found outside.

Images
Date
Wed, 7 Dec 2022
Activity title
Running Club
Activity Description

Students organized and participated in an outdoor running club that utilized the school grounds and encouraged students to spend time outdoors

Images
Date
Wed, 21 Sep 2022
Activity title
Purposeful Lighting
Activity Description

Students consistently advocate for turning off the lights and using the lights from the windows, throughout the day. This promotes a healthy school environment by using natural lighting during the class period.

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2.8 Citzen/Community/Participatory Science

2.8 Citizen/Community/Participatory Science

Date
Tue, 17 Jan 2023
Activity title
Project Feeder Watch
Activity Description

7th-grade students participate in the Cornell Bird Ornithology Project FeederWatch. Students

Images
Other Files

Patapsco Middle School - Project Feederwatch Data - 2022-2023 (91.97 KB)

Results from data collected over the past year

Date
Mon, 13 Mar 2023
Activity title
Earthworms in the Mid-Atlantic
Activity Description

Students will be conducting a Citizen Science on earthworms in the mid-Atlantic. This project seeks your help to produce a better map of distribution for L. friendi, the ‘other’ nightcrawler. To achieve this, we need your help to collect and photograph these large earthworms. They will collect earthworms around on community and send them back to Johns Hopkins in the coming weeks.

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Community Partnership

Demonstrate that your school is forming long-term partnerships to foster environmental stewardship and cultivate community wellness through real-world connections.

3.1 Community Partnerships

3.1.1 School Active in Community

Describe at least one environmentally-focused partnership in which your school is working to benefit your community.

Date
Thu, 9 Mar 2023
Partner name
Clothes for Cash
Activity Description

Students used their voices to get "Clothes for Cash" bin on our school grounds, which occurred prior to the application window. During the 2021 school year, students were promoted to their parents to bring used clothes for our used clothes drive. They monitored the number of clothes collected for each month. Then they challenged their parents to beat previous totals.

Images
Date
Fri, 29 Apr 2022
Partner name
Mt. Hebron Environmental Club
Activity Description

In conjunction with Mt.Hebron Environmental Club, students from Patapsco and Hebron worked together to make leaf stencils, Earth Day body art, and potted plants for our community members to take home.

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3.1.2 Community Active in the School

Describe at least one partnership in which a community partner is benefitting the school. These actions and projects occur on or near school grounds with support from the partner.

Date
Fri, 29 Apr 2022
Partner name
Patricia Newman
Activity Description

Patricia Newman – Environmental Writer and speaker that virtually presented and hosted an environmental education assembly. Student groups read her books and completed several lesson plans associated with her books.

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Date
Tue, 3 Jan 2023
Partner name
Towson University
Activity Description

Students have the opportunity to participate in several investigations developed by Towson; Towson Loaner Lab. Each kit comes with several lesson plans and investigations for students to complete. Our students have completed Ocean Acidification and It's a Gassy World.

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Date
Wed, 19 Oct 2022
Partner name
Howard County Conservancy
Activity Description

The Howard County Conservancy is involved in several aspects of our school. In 6th grade, the Conservancy works in conjunction with our 6th-grade educators during Outdoor education, and then again later in the year with our Climate KNOWLedge Unit. With the KNOWLedge unit, they conduct a school-yard report and a Climate Field Trip. Additionally, they had representatives at our Earth Day, Go Patapsco Go Green, community event.

Images
Date
Fri, 29 Apr 2022
Partner name
Mt. Hebron Environmental Club
Activity Description

Students of the Mt. Hebron Environmental Club came to our Go Patapsco, Go Green event, where they shared about conservation efforts and helped the community to develop

Images
Date
Fri, 29 Apr 2022
Partner name
University of Maryland Extension
Activity Description

The University of Maryland was part of our community event. Their contributions talked about best practices for composting and the perfect recipes They shared with our community how composting would be beneficial to our environment.

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3.2 Additional Achievements

3.2 Additional Achievements optional

Share any environmentally-related awards, special recognition, certifications, or other achievements that your school, staff or students have accomplished.

No records were added by the school.