Middle schools across the Commonwealth were invited to commemorate the 40th Earth Day by undertaking a meaningful conservation project at their school as part of the Earth Day 40 Schools Challenge. The Earth Day 40 School Challenge is meant to encourage lasting changes – changes that improve the environment and conserve natural resources - by the student body, inside schools, on school grounds, or in communities next to schools. The challenge took place from January 1 to March 31, 2010. A total of 24 projects were submitted.
Congratulations to the Grand Prize winning school:
Haine Middle School in Butler County for their "Rain Barrel Community Project"
The students at Haine Middle School researched what would help conserve water; raised $3,600 through a fundraiser at the school to purchase rain barrels for residents; conducted a rain barrel education class on March 23; and provided 30 rain barrels to residents in Cranberry Township. Read more about the Haine Middle School project here.
Honorable Mentions:
Northern Cambria Middle School, Cambria County, "Biodiversity: If We Plant It, They Will Come"
Through various committee, students learned about the planning, designing, and implementing horticultural and gardening techniques to complete a biodiversity/beautification garden project at their school. Read more about the Northern Cambria Middle School project here.
St. Marys Area Middle School, Elk County, "Bring Back the Butterflies"
The St. Marys Area Middle School is enhancing its current outdoor classroom/fish nursery complex by creating a 450 square foot garden butterfly habitat/garden. This will meet all the necessary requirements to become certified as an official Monarch Waystation by Monarchwatch. Read more about the St Marys Area Middle School project here.
Avon Grove Charter School, Chester County, "Big on Bio Diversity"
On Saturday, April 24, 2010, AGCS will host its first "Green Gathering" on campus, which will include: massive student-led habitat restoration work, as well as presentations and workshops from conservation-focused groups such as the Chester County Conservation District, the Natural Lands Trust, Trout Unlimited, the "Save Route 41" Coalition, the White Clay Creek Watershed Association and many others. The event will also include refreshments,lectures, games, crafts competitions and family fun! Read more about the Avon Grove Charter School project here.
Thanks to all schools participating in the challenge:
Allegheny-Clarion Valley Junior-Senior High School, Armstrong, Butler, Clarion and Venango counties
Avon Grove Charter School, Chester County
Bear Creek Community Charter School, Luzerne County
Christopher Columbus Charter School, Philadelphia
Faust Junior High School, Franklin County
Greenwood Friends School, Columbia County
Haine Middle School, Butler County
JT Lambert Intermediate, Monroe County
Manchester Academic Charter School, Pittsburgh
Northern Cambria Middle School, Cambria County
Northley Middle School, Delaware County
Norwood-Fontbonne Academy, Philadelphia
Orefield Middle School, Lehigh County
Palisades Middle School, Bucks County
Palmyra Area Middle School, Lebanon County
Peirce Middle School, Chester County
Peters Township Middle School, Washington County
Punxsutawney Christian School, Jefferson County
South Mountain Middle School – 3 projects, Lehigh County Project 1 Project 2 Project 3
St. Marys Area Middle School, Elk County
Stetson Middle School, Philadelphia
Sto-Rox Middle School, Pittsburgh