Kindergartener students learned about transportation. Students learned about how transportation has changed over time and how it affects the environment. They also learned about how transportation moves. Students created their own transportation using recycled materials. Students discussed what materials they could reuse in order to reduce waste and then used them to make their own transportation.

During the 2022-2023 school year, 85 first-grade students learned about the importance of conserving energy. Through this lens they explored different ways to conserve energy in our "Sharing the Planet" inquiry unit. In conjunction with these lessons, the first grade constructed research on many different ways to save energy. Next, the students reflected and identified one way of conserving energy that can be used at home. Students created a poster on what they learned about conserving energy and its importance. These posters were displayed around the school building for all to read about the importance of conserving energy.

During inquiry on Earth Day, 2nd grade students learned about the process of recycling both. They discussed which products can or cannot be recycled, took a tour of the TerraCycle Building, and discussed how we can help recycle at home. They partnered up with TerraCycle’s Colgate recycling program and collected used Colgate products. These products were sent into Terracycle, so that they could properly be recycled.

Third Grade researched agricultural explorers and their contributions to the world. Students then decided to further explore the choices they made by determining if crops (lettuce) would have grown better in soil vs. hydroponically. Students kept track of the progress via an observation journal and then gave their final recommendation based on the data they tracked. This final decision could be used to help future explorers settle in new places.

4th grade students learned about text structures- cause and effect, problem/solution, description, compare and contrast, and sequencing. They conducted short, focused research on recycling and composting. The students created posters using one of the text structures in order to motivate the students in the school to use the trash, recycling, and compost bins correctly at lunch time.

Fifth-grade students learned about the importance of biodiversity in the world. Through this lens they explored a variety of food chains as well as the producers and consumers in a specific food chain or web. Using Wellwood’s grounds, the 5th graders learned how to survey the biodiversity of an area. This type of survey has been termed “BioBlitz.” The students located a variety of plants, animals, and insects on several different locations. Students realized, by the end of their field work, that our schoolyard has low biodiversity. Students are currently working on projects to address the lack of biodiversity at our school.

During inservice week, all staff members participated in a Green School Overview presentation. They learned about MAEOE and the objectives involved with being a MD Green School and the application process. They also learned about our Green School Initiatives at our school.

The Green School Committee met monthly to discuss our Green School initiatives and events for the year. Information was shared with the staff through email and grade level representatives.

The Green School Committee meets quarterly to discuss our Green School initiatives, our current application process and events for the year. Information was shared with the staff through email and grade level representatives.

We hosted our 8th annual Earth Day Celebration on April 28, 2023. Students spent the day rotating from 5 different stations. We partnered with 6 different local organization to present to our students. Students also got to participate in games and make bird feeders to take home.

Each year, Wellwood students and staff celebrate America Recycles Day. Staff are provide with a variety of activities and lessons to complete with their students. The Green School Committee creates and shares the resources with staff.

Staff participated in a virtual PD presented by Tom Meltio learning about being a Maryland Green School and the application process.

During the 2022-2023 school year, 80 fifth graders participated in a Shark Tank Exhibition.
Students identified a global problem in a developing country and, using research and investigating skills, came up with a solution to help solve this problem. Along with their group, students designed a viable product that solves a problem faced by members of a developing country. They presented their idea, a manufacturing plan, and advertising pitch to the Shark Tank panel to reduce pollution. If members of the panel liked their product and business plan they agreed to invest in the product.

Light monitor is a classroom job throughout the building.

Students use natural light and open blinds in their classrooms instead of turning on the lights.

Students compost daily in the cafeteria. Students go through 5 steps to recycle and compost in the cafeteria. Students reflect throughout the year on how to improve the composting process at our school. Students have used the soil from the composting to plant seeds.

Third graders partnered up with Pikesville High Art students to create clothing items and accessories for an Art fashion show in order to promote reducing waste and reusing materials.

Green Team students worked together to create posters to post in our school and community in order to inform community members about the importance of throwing away trash and recycling.

The third grade class learned about Monarch Butterflies . They also learned about explorers. They worked on the butterfly garden on campus. Finally, they cleaned up the garden and planted new plants. This was linked to IB unit "Sharing the Planet."

During our fifth inquiry unit for the year, students focused on living things. Students discussed and learned about what makes a bug an insect. They researched and discussed what insects need to survive. Students decorated insect hotels that were built by a local BCPS high school class. The hotels were installed in our butterfly garden and outdoor classroom.

Kindergarten students learned about the checkerspot butterfly and why they are endangered. They created a structure to protect the turtlehead plant to help the butterflies. The students also observed caterpillars as they went through their lifecycle. They released the butterflies into our butterfly garden.

In our unit of inquiry, Sharing the Planet, students learned about the importance of pollinators in the life cycle of some plants. Bees are endangered which in turn makes it difficult for some plants to reproduce. That’s why 80 2nd grade students made pollinator-friendly flower seed bombs to provide bees and other pollinators food and help them survive.

Students on the Green Team after school club worked to restore the no mow zone and the outdoor classroom after the closure of the school building for covid. They picked up trash, weeded and helped spread new mulch. We continue to up keep the area.

Wellwood partnered with Helpsy to participate in clothing drive in order to Reduce and Reuse items that people might just throw away. We plan to continue this each school year.

Each year, we partner with several Nature Centers run by Baltimore County Recreation and Parks. They present at our annual Earth Day Celebration and present to our after school Green Team.

The Baltimore County Public Library will be attending our Annual Earth Day celebration for the 3rd consecutive year. They engage students in environmental activities during this event.

The UMD 4H will be attending our Annual Earth Day celebration for the 4th consecutive year. They engage students in environmental activities during this event.

In April of 2020, we became the first Green Ribbon school in Baltimore County Public Schools. We worked with our county Sustainability Coordinator and Green School Leader to gather all the information need to complete the application.