The teachers at Dr. Bessie Rhodes Magnet School in Skokie, Ill., were recently awarded a $10,000 grant through the A+ For Energy program.
The A+ For Energy program was created by BP to support and reward teachers who implement innovative energy activities into their classroom. The grant is to be used for increasing the understanding and awareness of energy concerns.
The BRMS team divided the grant into a series of “mini-grants” which were assigned to various student groups to undertake projects that address energy concerns. Each project will be documented by the students through film and photography, and this footage will become the content of a middle school documentary film, Reel Energy: Pay it Forward.
One group of 8th Grade students is using the mini-grant to perform a study on the benefits of green roofs. For the study, two freestanding structures will be built - one will contain a green roof, and the other a traditional roof.
“With our demonstration plot, students can actually go out and witness the effects of the green roof first hand,” says Shirri Polaniecki, Technology in the Arts teacher.
GeoEdgeT, a sustainable, aluminum green roof restraint manufactured by Permaloc, will surround pre-vegetated modules provided by LiveRoof of Spring Lake, Mich. The GeoEdge restraint provides a nice clean edge on the green roof, and a series of drainage holes along the wall allow drainage for storm water runoff.
“Students will be able to research the benefits of a green roof system, particularly water run-off and temperature effects, says Mary Beth Koszut, Fine Arts teacher. "This green roof project will have a positive visual and scientific impact on our students as they enter into a society with ever-increasing energy concerns.”
Permaloc Corporation donated the GeoEdge material to the school as part of its ongoing Sustainable Design Initiative. As part of this initiative, Permaloc supports educational organizations from universities to elementary schools, as well as non-profit organizations that are researching green building technologies.
“Permaloc is always striving to raise awareness of sustainable design and green building practices through our research, product development, corporate culture, and partnerships with organizations. We believe education is one of the keys to building a sustainable future,” says Permaloc Vice President Bob Anderson.