From Gardens to Green Teams: MCPS Students Make an Environmental Impact
Established in 1999, the Maryland Green Schools program is a nationally acclaimed statewide initiative that integrates environmental literacy into Pre-K through 12th-grade curriculum. This program recognizes schools that successfully integrate environmental sustainability into their curriculum, practices environmental stewardship, and reduces their overall environmental impact. This year, more than half of MCPS schools demonstrated what it means to be a Maryland Green School.
From community Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) nights to student built outdoor classrooms, schools found creative ways to engage and make a positive impact on the environment. Learn more about what they did.
Bel Pre Elementary School
Bel Pre Elementary School brought students, families and the community together through hands-on a STEAM night focused on environmental learning, outdoor education, field trips, weekly energy conservation reminders to turn off electronics by the end of the week, and other service projects that benefited people and the community.
Burtonsville Elementary School
Burtonsville Elementary School empowered students through hydroponic classroom gardens, outdoor wellness activities, recycling campaigns, composting and food recovery efforts, bat box construction, and students created Green Team videos on things like how to recycle.
Clopper Mill Elementary School
Clopper Mill Elementary School inspired environmental stewardship by launching a green club, organizing community clean up days, planting 100 plants, reducing food waste through community partnerships, and organizing and managing the Clopper Closet to give items a second home instead of ending up in the trash.
Oak View Elementary School
Oak View Elementary School involved students with seed ball projects, food recovery initiatives, outdoor murals, and playground clean ups. The school also partnered with Pepco to encourage families to reduce energy use at home.
Paint Branch High School
At Paint Branch High school students were awarded a grant from the Chesapeake Bay Trust to build an outdoor classroom. They were also awarded a grant to construct a pollination garden full of native flowers. Students hosted biannual clothing swaps, grew fresh produce for families, and supported student wellness through recycled art projects and plant propagation activities.
Sally Ride Elementary School
Sally Ride Elementary School built a culture of sustainability through student-led recycling teams, peer education, independent litter cleanups, creative reuse of materials, and outdoor wellness opportunities like Run Club.
Twinbrook Elementary School
Twinbrook Elementary School encouraged environmental action through recycling bin decorating, community tree planting, outdoor classroom construction, seed ball projects, STEAM Night, and a Caring for the Earth Spirit Week.
Waters Landing Elementary School
Waters Landing Elementary School promoted sustainability through recycling and waste reduction, student Green Team leadership, community food recovery partnerships, and eco-friendly classroom projects. Students would also turn off lights and deliver school-wide messages about the importance of energy conservation.
Watkins Mill High School
Watkins Mill High School encouraged environmental responsibility by installing a permanent no idling zone sign, engaging students in environmental leadership, organizing campus cleanups, adding plants throughout the school, and participating in a variety of environmental activities.
Feeling inspired? Tackle your own project or see how your school can become Maryland Green Schools Certified.