Annotated Checklist
1. Use of the Environment as an Integrating Context
Grade 6
Outdoor Education: Our sixth graders participate in Outdoor Education. The goal of this program is to expose our students to outdoor experiences with an emphasis on ecology and its connection to their everyday actions.
Sixth Grade Recycling Crews: HMS students are responsible for collecting the recycling from every classroom and the main office. About 70 sixth graders each year have this opportunity, and they take it very seriously. It's a great way to get these students to understand our Green School philosophy. These students become recycling leaders in seventh and eighth grade and beyond!
The Chesapeake Bay Watershed as an Ecosystem: As an extension to the "Investigating Earth's Systems" units, students study the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed as an ecosystem. At the end of this extension, students are required to generate a list of actions they can take that either harm or help the health of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. The entire sixth grade third quarter science curriculum is dedicated to this examination!
Governor's Explore and Restore Your Schoolshed: In the spring of 2014 our sixth graders will participate in the Governor's Schoolshed program. They have already begun examining the impact of humans on water quality, and are looking forward to collecting data and sharing it with DNR scientists on Fieldscope.
Earth Day Photo Contest: In celebration of Earth Day, sixth grade students participate in an Earth Day photo contest. Students enter photos in the following categories: "Evidence of Change," "Natural Beauty," and "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle." Students must title their photographs. All of the photos are exhibited in the science hallway. Here are three photo contest entries.
Outdoor Education: Our sixth graders participate in Outdoor Education. The goal of this program is to expose our students to outdoor experiences with an emphasis on ecology and its connection to their everyday actions.
Sixth Grade Recycling Crews: HMS students are responsible for collecting the recycling from every classroom and the main office. About 70 sixth graders each year have this opportunity, and they take it very seriously. It's a great way to get these students to understand our Green School philosophy. These students become recycling leaders in seventh and eighth grade and beyond!
The Chesapeake Bay Watershed as an Ecosystem: As an extension to the "Investigating Earth's Systems" units, students study the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed as an ecosystem. At the end of this extension, students are required to generate a list of actions they can take that either harm or help the health of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. The entire sixth grade third quarter science curriculum is dedicated to this examination!
Governor's Explore and Restore Your Schoolshed: In the spring of 2014 our sixth graders will participate in the Governor's Schoolshed program. They have already begun examining the impact of humans on water quality, and are looking forward to collecting data and sharing it with DNR scientists on Fieldscope.
Earth Day Photo Contest: In celebration of Earth Day, sixth grade students participate in an Earth Day photo contest. Students enter photos in the following categories: "Evidence of Change," "Natural Beauty," and "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle." Students must title their photographs. All of the photos are exhibited in the science hallway. Here are three photo contest entries.
Grade 7
Paper Pots: HMS seventh graders recycled paper by making paper pots. We took waste paper, shredded it and using a blender, turned it into paper pulp. The students then formed these into plant pots, allowing them to dry. With plants donated from the Howard County Public Schools Greenhouse, we created plant pots to be donated to patients at the Laurel Regional Hospital for them to take home and plant in the soil. The paper pots decompose and add nutrients to the soil.
Cedar Lane Park Clean-up: Our seventh graders traveled to Cedar Lane Park in Howard County for a park clean-up as part of our "nature appreciation field trip." The students were divided into groups and did two clean-ups of the park – one at the start of our visit and one at the end of our visit. They took the trash that was collected and divided it into recyclable materials and non-recyclable materials, then put the non-recyclable materials into plastic trash bags and left them in the trash containers in the park. The recyclable materials were taken back to school and added to our recyclable materials.
Chesapeake Bay: Taking Care of Our Environment Research: For the last five weeks of each school year, our seventh graders study the environment and ecology. We go beyond the HCPSS curriculum by having the students conduct research on the Chesapeake Bay. Their research must address the following questions:
1. What is an estuary?
2. What is a watershed?
3. How big is the Chesapeake Bay watershed?
4. How many states are included in the Chesapeake Bay watershed? Name them.
5. How many people live in the Chesapeake Bay watershed?
6. What are SAV's? What does SAV stand for? Why are they necessary for the health of the Bay?
7. Why are trees important to the health of the Bay?
8. Why aren't there as many oysters today as there were in the past?
9. What are the major problems facing the Bay?
10. Who is polluting the Bay?
11. Is the water quality of the Bay getting better?
12. How do storm drains affect the Bay?
13. Are toxic chemicals a problem for Bay pollution?
14. How will human population growth affect the health of the Bay?
15. How can individuals help the Bay?
Paper Pots: HMS seventh graders recycled paper by making paper pots. We took waste paper, shredded it and using a blender, turned it into paper pulp. The students then formed these into plant pots, allowing them to dry. With plants donated from the Howard County Public Schools Greenhouse, we created plant pots to be donated to patients at the Laurel Regional Hospital for them to take home and plant in the soil. The paper pots decompose and add nutrients to the soil.
Cedar Lane Park Clean-up: Our seventh graders traveled to Cedar Lane Park in Howard County for a park clean-up as part of our "nature appreciation field trip." The students were divided into groups and did two clean-ups of the park – one at the start of our visit and one at the end of our visit. They took the trash that was collected and divided it into recyclable materials and non-recyclable materials, then put the non-recyclable materials into plastic trash bags and left them in the trash containers in the park. The recyclable materials were taken back to school and added to our recyclable materials.
Chesapeake Bay: Taking Care of Our Environment Research: For the last five weeks of each school year, our seventh graders study the environment and ecology. We go beyond the HCPSS curriculum by having the students conduct research on the Chesapeake Bay. Their research must address the following questions:
1. What is an estuary?
2. What is a watershed?
3. How big is the Chesapeake Bay watershed?
4. How many states are included in the Chesapeake Bay watershed? Name them.
5. How many people live in the Chesapeake Bay watershed?
6. What are SAV's? What does SAV stand for? Why are they necessary for the health of the Bay?
7. Why are trees important to the health of the Bay?
8. Why aren't there as many oysters today as there were in the past?
9. What are the major problems facing the Bay?
10. Who is polluting the Bay?
11. Is the water quality of the Bay getting better?
12. How do storm drains affect the Bay?
13. Are toxic chemicals a problem for Bay pollution?
14. How will human population growth affect the health of the Bay?
15. How can individuals help the Bay?
Grade 8
Patapsco River Clean-up: As part of Student Service Learning, students at Hammond Middle School have researched the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, the affects of pollution on aquatic life, and actions they can take to mitigate adverse affects of pollution on the Watershed. Students are introduced to the topic by their science teachers. Students learn to locate the Watershed and are able to describe how long it extends. In science, reading and social studies classes, students research the effects of particular chemicals on marine and aquatic life. In math class they compare the amount and types of trash generated by U.S. citizens to the amount and types of trash generated by HMS students over a one week period. After comparing waste the students brainstorm in class and generate a solutions poster for reducing the amount of waste produced in our school. Students then travel to the Patapsco River to clean up trash along the banks of the river. Our students have removed over 3 tons of trash during these clean-ups. When students return to the school the culminating activity takes place in the English classes when students use the information gleaned from their research in science, reading and social studies to write a persuasive essay to convince peers of three solutions that they can implement to help restore health to the Chesapeake Bay.
Patapsco River Clean-up: As part of Student Service Learning, students at Hammond Middle School have researched the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, the affects of pollution on aquatic life, and actions they can take to mitigate adverse affects of pollution on the Watershed. Students are introduced to the topic by their science teachers. Students learn to locate the Watershed and are able to describe how long it extends. In science, reading and social studies classes, students research the effects of particular chemicals on marine and aquatic life. In math class they compare the amount and types of trash generated by U.S. citizens to the amount and types of trash generated by HMS students over a one week period. After comparing waste the students brainstorm in class and generate a solutions poster for reducing the amount of waste produced in our school. Students then travel to the Patapsco River to clean up trash along the banks of the river. Our students have removed over 3 tons of trash during these clean-ups. When students return to the school the culminating activity takes place in the English classes when students use the information gleaned from their research in science, reading and social studies to write a persuasive essay to convince peers of three solutions that they can implement to help restore health to the Chesapeake Bay.
Other
The HMS EcoTeam: Students from all three grade levels have the option of joining the HMS EcoTeam. Participating students create and run all of the environmental awareness programming throughout the school year including: recycling, storm drain stenciling, Waste Free Wednesdays, energy conservation,Terracycle, creating displays for the Robinson Nature Center, and growing bay grasses. They create public service announcements to be aired on the morning television broadcast, write letters to our staff and the community, and serve as ambassadors for the environment. EcoTeam members have been the driving force behind all of our Maryland Green School applications!
Earth Science Field Trips to NASA Goddard Space Flight Center: From 2011 -2013, our partnership with NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) enabled hundreds of HMS students from all three grades to visit GSFC and learn about how scientists there use the Earth Observing Satellite to collect data on global climate change.
HCPSS Environmental Film Festival: Since it began in 2010, HMS student filmmakers have created films for the HCPSS Environmental Film Festival at the American Film Institute's Silver Theater in Silver Spring, MD. These student films are meant to educate the public about environmental issues.
The HMS EcoTeam: Students from all three grade levels have the option of joining the HMS EcoTeam. Participating students create and run all of the environmental awareness programming throughout the school year including: recycling, storm drain stenciling, Waste Free Wednesdays, energy conservation,Terracycle, creating displays for the Robinson Nature Center, and growing bay grasses. They create public service announcements to be aired on the morning television broadcast, write letters to our staff and the community, and serve as ambassadors for the environment. EcoTeam members have been the driving force behind all of our Maryland Green School applications!
Earth Science Field Trips to NASA Goddard Space Flight Center: From 2011 -2013, our partnership with NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) enabled hundreds of HMS students from all three grades to visit GSFC and learn about how scientists there use the Earth Observing Satellite to collect data on global climate change.
HCPSS Environmental Film Festival: Since it began in 2010, HMS student filmmakers have created films for the HCPSS Environmental Film Festival at the American Film Institute's Silver Theater in Silver Spring, MD. These student films are meant to educate the public about environmental issues.
2. Staff Professional Learning in Environmental Education and Skill Development.
List of trainings attended:
- Robyn Page, October 24, 2013, Governor's Explore and Restore Your Schoolshed
- Robyn Page, January 28, 2010, Howard County Nature Conservancy Green School Mtg.
- Pamela DeAngelis, Dawn Czahor, Jennifer Furman, Craig Graf, Mica LaCorte, and Derek Toth, 2009, Friends of the Patapsco
- Jennifer Furman and Terri Stevens, 2008, Bay Grasses in Classes
- Mark McCullin, Jennifer Furman and Katie Jennifer, 2007, "Project Wet!" and "Project Wild!"
- Mark McCullin and Jennifer Furman, 2007, Patuxent Research Refuge
- Mark McCullin and Jennifer Furman, 2006, National Wildlife Refuge
- Jennifer Furman, 2006, Invasive Plant Species
General Staff Professional Development:
In 2009, the eighth grade staff at Hammond Middle were trained by Betsy McMillion, an employee and volunteer with the Friends of Patapsco. Ms. McMillion educated the staff on topics relating to the health of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed including sources of pollution, the effects of pollution on aquatic life and actions that Maryland residents can take to keep the watershed healthy. The teachers used this knowledge to provide direct instruction as the students cleaned debris from the banks of the Patapsco River.
On January 28, 2010, Ms. Page attended the Green School meeting at the Howard County Nature Conservancy. Presenters at the meeting included Diane Sweeney, who discussed energy conservation measures; Ann Fitcher, who presented information on Schoolyard Report Card; Alicia Moore, who presented on recycling; and master gardener Natalie Brewer, who shared tips on attracting wildlife.
In the fall of 2013, Ms. Page attended the Governor's Schoolshed training at the Irvine Nature Center in Baltimore County. After the training, Ms. Page collaborated with science teacher Mrs. Kathy Hobart and literacy coach Ms. Renee Bos to create lessons to prepare students for the stream study that will be conducted in the spring of 2014.
Science Teachers' Professional Development:
Mr. McCullin, Mrs. Hobart, Ms. Furman, and Mrs. Jennifer have all attended the Howard County sponsored "Project Wet!" and "Project Wild!" professional development meetings. At these meetings teachers were educated on environmental issues that face our planet and Maryland in particular. Each teacher received resources and lessons that are used in the classroom to educate students about environmental issues and help inspire environmental activism. Mr. McCullin and Ms. Furman have also attended training at the Patuxent Research Refuge, and National Wildlife Refuge. During these trainings, teachers were provided with hands-on activities to use with students to help them learn about the environment through discovery.
Also, Ms. Furman attended an additional seminar, sponsored by Howard County Board of Education and the MDE, where she learned about invasive plant species and their effect on the environment and how to do stream quality testing. Ms. Furman has also been trained by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources on how to grow native bay grasses as part of the Bay Grasses in Classes program.
- Robyn Page, October 24, 2013, Governor's Explore and Restore Your Schoolshed
- Robyn Page, January 28, 2010, Howard County Nature Conservancy Green School Mtg.
- Pamela DeAngelis, Dawn Czahor, Jennifer Furman, Craig Graf, Mica LaCorte, and Derek Toth, 2009, Friends of the Patapsco
- Jennifer Furman and Terri Stevens, 2008, Bay Grasses in Classes
- Mark McCullin, Jennifer Furman and Katie Jennifer, 2007, "Project Wet!" and "Project Wild!"
- Mark McCullin and Jennifer Furman, 2007, Patuxent Research Refuge
- Mark McCullin and Jennifer Furman, 2006, National Wildlife Refuge
- Jennifer Furman, 2006, Invasive Plant Species
General Staff Professional Development:
In 2009, the eighth grade staff at Hammond Middle were trained by Betsy McMillion, an employee and volunteer with the Friends of Patapsco. Ms. McMillion educated the staff on topics relating to the health of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed including sources of pollution, the effects of pollution on aquatic life and actions that Maryland residents can take to keep the watershed healthy. The teachers used this knowledge to provide direct instruction as the students cleaned debris from the banks of the Patapsco River.
On January 28, 2010, Ms. Page attended the Green School meeting at the Howard County Nature Conservancy. Presenters at the meeting included Diane Sweeney, who discussed energy conservation measures; Ann Fitcher, who presented information on Schoolyard Report Card; Alicia Moore, who presented on recycling; and master gardener Natalie Brewer, who shared tips on attracting wildlife.
In the fall of 2013, Ms. Page attended the Governor's Schoolshed training at the Irvine Nature Center in Baltimore County. After the training, Ms. Page collaborated with science teacher Mrs. Kathy Hobart and literacy coach Ms. Renee Bos to create lessons to prepare students for the stream study that will be conducted in the spring of 2014.
Science Teachers' Professional Development:
Mr. McCullin, Mrs. Hobart, Ms. Furman, and Mrs. Jennifer have all attended the Howard County sponsored "Project Wet!" and "Project Wild!" professional development meetings. At these meetings teachers were educated on environmental issues that face our planet and Maryland in particular. Each teacher received resources and lessons that are used in the classroom to educate students about environmental issues and help inspire environmental activism. Mr. McCullin and Ms. Furman have also attended training at the Patuxent Research Refuge, and National Wildlife Refuge. During these trainings, teachers were provided with hands-on activities to use with students to help them learn about the environment through discovery.
Also, Ms. Furman attended an additional seminar, sponsored by Howard County Board of Education and the MDE, where she learned about invasive plant species and their effect on the environment and how to do stream quality testing. Ms. Furman has also been trained by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources on how to grow native bay grasses as part of the Bay Grasses in Classes program.
3. MAEOE Conference Attendance and Celebrations
No MAEOE Conferences were attended.
Celebrations: Over the past 14 years, we have celebrated our MD Green School status within our building and the community. We have participated Green School celebrations at the Howard County Conservancy which are attended by our schools superintendent and county executive. In 2010 we celebrated our Green School award with a school-wide Green Day, which included a Jeopardy-style game about recycling.
Howard County Green Schools Display at the Mall In Columbia: In September 2009, HMS, along with other Howard County Green Schools, created a display board that was exhibited at the Mall in Columbia. The board (see below) informed mall visitors of some of our Green School highlights. Our students were excited to see their school's eco-friendly accomplishments on display for the community.
Howard County Green Schools Display at the Mall In Columbia: In September 2009, HMS, along with other Howard County Green Schools, created a display board that was exhibited at the Mall in Columbia. The board (see below) informed mall visitors of some of our Green School highlights. Our students were excited to see their school's eco-friendly accomplishments on display for the community.
HMS students and staff celebrate our Green School recognition
4. Green School Best Management Practices Modeled at HMS
Water Conservation/Pollution Prevention
Storm Drain Stenciling: In the spring of 2008, Mrs. Stevens and the EcoTeam saw a need in the Hammond community to raise awareness about the function of storm drains and their connection to water quality. The students had seen storm drains in other parts of the county that had been stenciled to notify residents that the drains feed into the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. The students wrote a letter of inquiry to the Howard County Department of Public Works to find out what permissions were needed to stencil neighborhood storm drains. It was determined that the Hammond Village Citizens Association, Inc., would have to approve stenciling the storm drains. They did so unanimously. Even better, they voted to donate $100 to cover some of the costs of the paint and equipment!
Mrs. Stevens and her students spent a beautiful spring day stenciling the storm drains. It was one of the highlights of the year for the students, and members of the community are reminded daily that only clean water should enter the storm drains.
Water conservation display for the Robinson Nature Center, 2013: HMS EcoTeam members created an educational display for the public on ways to conserve water at home. This display was viewed by hundreds of RNC visitors in the spring of 2013.
Storm Drain Stenciling: In the spring of 2008, Mrs. Stevens and the EcoTeam saw a need in the Hammond community to raise awareness about the function of storm drains and their connection to water quality. The students had seen storm drains in other parts of the county that had been stenciled to notify residents that the drains feed into the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. The students wrote a letter of inquiry to the Howard County Department of Public Works to find out what permissions were needed to stencil neighborhood storm drains. It was determined that the Hammond Village Citizens Association, Inc., would have to approve stenciling the storm drains. They did so unanimously. Even better, they voted to donate $100 to cover some of the costs of the paint and equipment!
Mrs. Stevens and her students spent a beautiful spring day stenciling the storm drains. It was one of the highlights of the year for the students, and members of the community are reminded daily that only clean water should enter the storm drains.
Water conservation display for the Robinson Nature Center, 2013: HMS EcoTeam members created an educational display for the public on ways to conserve water at home. This display was viewed by hundreds of RNC visitors in the spring of 2013.
Governor O'Malley's Explore and Restore Your Schoolshed Program Participation
In October 2013, HMS was invited to participate in this stream study program. Currently, our sixth graders are studying the factors that contribute to climate change using this packet created by HMS staff members Renee Bos and Kathy Hobart. Once the March snow melts, our students will collect data from the Hammond Branch of the Middle Patuxent River and upload the data to Fieldscope.
In October 2013, HMS was invited to participate in this stream study program. Currently, our sixth graders are studying the factors that contribute to climate change using this packet created by HMS staff members Renee Bos and Kathy Hobart. Once the March snow melts, our students will collect data from the Hammond Branch of the Middle Patuxent River and upload the data to Fieldscope.
climate_change_1.docx | |
File Size: | 492 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Bright Minds: DK and JZ Test the New Task Lighting
Energy Conservation
Energy Audit: In 2009, a sixth grade G/T Research student conducted an interview with Diane Sweeney, Howard County, Energy Management Specialist, to learn about energy management measures that could be implemented at HMS. At this meeting, Ms. Sweeney suggested our school's EcoTeam conduct an energy audit of the building, including Hammond Elementary, since we share a building/electric bill. The students were supplied with Kill-a-Watt meters, devices used to measure the amount of energy used by electronics. Common classroom items including: overhead projectors, LCD projectors, pencil sharpeners, and computers were connected to the Kill-a-Watt meters to determine how much energy they use. We even measured the energy draw from a vending machine. The EcoTeam gathered data from the meters over a two week period. Then the Kill-a-Watt meters were given to the students of Hammond Elementary so that they could collect data and present it to their teachers.
Impact of the Audit: In response to the data collected by the energy audit, the EcoTeam first wrote a letter to the HMS staff informing them about how much energy their common classroom electronics use, and how to reduce energy consumption. Upon determining that the vending machines in the building draw approximately $900 worth of energy a month, two of the machines were removed. As part of the audit, students realized that the computers used a substantial amount of energy. To combat this problem students created signs prompting the user to put the computers to sleep after use. Student volunteers also shut down the computer lab computers daily. In January 2010, the EcoTeam sponsored an energy conservation contest between grades. EcoTeam members "spied" on teachers to determine who was unplugging unused electronic devices and turning off their lights when not in the room. Students school-wide had the task of reminding their teachers to conserve. The seventh grade team came out ahead, with more teachers on this team getting "caught being good" conservationists.
HMS teachers are now eager to adopt new methods of energy conservation. At a meeting in January, Ms. Page learned that the county would provide free desk lamps that use energy-efficient light bulbs to interested teachers. The only stipulation was that during their planning periods, the teachers would have to turn off their overhead lights and use the desk lamps as task lighting. 40 HMS teachers and office staff agreed to use the lamps. The EcoTeam will continue their effort to educate and assist the staff about energy conservation. We believe that enlightenment combined with simple changes can lead to energy-saving habits!
Another impact of the energy audit was the removal of two vending machines from the school and the addition of Vending Misers on the remaining machines. Vending Misers cycle down the machines' power when they are not in use, which saves lots of energy - and money.
Solid Waste Reduction
A Picture's Worth a Thousand Words: MC and BM Educate Their Peers
Recycling: At Hammond Middle School we do many things to reduce our solid waste. Over the years we have expanded our recycling program to include co-mingled recycling from all classrooms and the main office, with students collecting from every room in the building. This program has been such a success, we have had to double the number of curbside recycling toters alloted to our school from four to eight! What's even better is that now the amount of recycling we produce offsets the cost of trash removal from our school - so the more we recycle, the more "cents" it makes for our school and the earth. Like all schools in Howard County, we also now have co-mingled recycling available in our cafeteria. Our EcoTeam observed that although there was a recycling bin alongside the trash bins, many students were trashing items that should be recycled. So the students created a display board with items that should and should not be recycled. Ms. Page and EcoTeam members introduced the display board to students during their lunch shifts, and then stood by while the students disposed of their lunches. Ms. DeRosier, our head custodian, commented that she has never seen so much recycling from the students at lunch. The board is now a fixture in the cafeteria for students to view as they make their way through the trash line. Now when our students come to throw away and recycle their trash they can look at the board and think, "Ok, so I can recycle this". They also learned these same items can be recycled at home.
Waste Free Wednesdays: Waste Free Wednesdays have been used at HMS as a way to motivate students and their parents to think about how much waste can be prevented by making simple changes such as using cloth napkins and reuseable containers when packing lunches. Students who purchase lunch at school were given waste-reduction tips on the school-wide morning television show, including regular reminders to take only what they will actually eat.
To make Waste Free Wednesdays fun, grades competed to see which can produce the least amount of trash. EcoTeam students weighed the trash by grade and whichever grade had the least trash got the honor of hosting the Waste Free Wally trophy for the week, a trophy made from recycled items.
Waste Free Wednesdays: Waste Free Wednesdays have been used at HMS as a way to motivate students and their parents to think about how much waste can be prevented by making simple changes such as using cloth napkins and reuseable containers when packing lunches. Students who purchase lunch at school were given waste-reduction tips on the school-wide morning television show, including regular reminders to take only what they will actually eat.
To make Waste Free Wednesdays fun, grades competed to see which can produce the least amount of trash. EcoTeam students weighed the trash by grade and whichever grade had the least trash got the honor of hosting the Waste Free Wally trophy for the week, a trophy made from recycled items.
Terracycle: Seeing a need for further solid waste reduction, HMS joined forces with Terracycle and began chip bag and juice pouch brigades in November 2009. Students "upcycle" their Frito Lay brand chip bags and Capri Sun and Honest Kids juice pouches in bins in the cafeteria, then Ms. Page and student volunteers send them to Terracycle. Terracycle then turns the bags and pouches into fun, stylish bags. Since 2009, we have recycled over 10,800 chip bags and 34,000 juice pouches! These items would otherwise go into landfills, taking hundreds of years to break down.We are also delighted by the response from the community. Ms. Page frequently receives "gifts" of chip bags and juice pouches sent in by HMS families and staff.
For more information about Terracycle, click on the link below.
For more information about Terracycle, click on the link below.
Terracycle Accessorizes Our Chip Bags and Juice Pouches!
Even Old Shoes Can Have a New Life
Nike Reuse-a-Shoe Drive:
Concerned about the number of athletic shoes ending up in landfills, HMS students sponsored 4 Nike Reuse-a-Shoe collection drives. Since 2009 we have collected over 500 pairs of shoes to be turned into playground, track, and tennis court surfaces. For more information on Nike's Reuse-a-Shoe program, go to http://www.nike.com/us/en_us/c/better-world/stories/2013/05/reuse-a-shoe
Funding Factory: Since 2011, our school has sent all of our e-waste to the Funding Factory to be upcycled. To learn more about this green fundraiser, go to http://www.fundingfactory.com
Kids Konserve: In the fall of 2013, HMS joined forces with Kids Konserve to sponsor the sale of their reusable lunch containers. The sale was used by the HMS EcoTeam to raise awareness with parents about the environmental and financial savings that occur when reusable lunch containers are used for school lunches. To learn more about Kids Konserve products, go to http://store.kidskonserve.com
Habitat Restoration
HMS students brave chilly waters to plant bay grasses
Patapsco River Clean-up: Please see our description of this habitat restoration project in section 1. of this annotated check list.
Bay Grasses in Classes 2011:
As we did in 2008 and 2010, HMS students grew wild celery grasses for planting in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. On May 6, 2011, the EcoTeam and Atholton Elementary school students traveled to Seneca Creek State Park to plant the student-grown grasses. In all, we planted 12 trays of grasses. Thanks to staff from the MD Department of Natural Resources, especially Mr. Mark Lewandowski, our students had an excellent hands-on learning experience that allowed them to learn about the delicate balance of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. The grasses we grew and planted will help sustain the ecosystem and regenerate the natural habitat.
Prior to planting, the grasses were maintained by HMS students on a daily basis. Students were responsible for planting the seeds, measuring water temperature, plant height, pH and nitrate levels, and recording observations on growth charts (see an example below). This year's batch of grasses experienced some algae growth, so we had to continuously remove algae from the chambers so the grasses could continue to grow. We also ended up getting two plecos for one of the chambers. They did a great job of eating the algae in the chamber.
We kept in touch with Atholton Elementary by keeping a wikispace for us to keep in touch with them we would share data from our bay grasses and they would share data too. They showed us on how to get rid of the algea in our chambers,thay had advised us to get plecos!!
Our picture-perfect day of bay grasses planting was described by one of the EcoTeam members as "the best field trip EVER!" Seneca Creek State Park is part of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, and students learned that the health of the entire Watershed impacts the health of the bay.
On May 12, our EcoTeam members presented their Bay Grasses experience at the school's Enrichment Fair - an event that draws hundreds of students and their families. Students stressed the need for individuals to take responsibility for their impact on the Watershed; they particularly stressed to their audience that fertilizers and chemicals that make their way to our storm drains have a direct impact on the Bay's health.
Bay Grasses in Classes 2011:
As we did in 2008 and 2010, HMS students grew wild celery grasses for planting in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. On May 6, 2011, the EcoTeam and Atholton Elementary school students traveled to Seneca Creek State Park to plant the student-grown grasses. In all, we planted 12 trays of grasses. Thanks to staff from the MD Department of Natural Resources, especially Mr. Mark Lewandowski, our students had an excellent hands-on learning experience that allowed them to learn about the delicate balance of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. The grasses we grew and planted will help sustain the ecosystem and regenerate the natural habitat.
Prior to planting, the grasses were maintained by HMS students on a daily basis. Students were responsible for planting the seeds, measuring water temperature, plant height, pH and nitrate levels, and recording observations on growth charts (see an example below). This year's batch of grasses experienced some algae growth, so we had to continuously remove algae from the chambers so the grasses could continue to grow. We also ended up getting two plecos for one of the chambers. They did a great job of eating the algae in the chamber.
We kept in touch with Atholton Elementary by keeping a wikispace for us to keep in touch with them we would share data from our bay grasses and they would share data too. They showed us on how to get rid of the algea in our chambers,thay had advised us to get plecos!!
Our picture-perfect day of bay grasses planting was described by one of the EcoTeam members as "the best field trip EVER!" Seneca Creek State Park is part of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, and students learned that the health of the entire Watershed impacts the health of the bay.
On May 12, our EcoTeam members presented their Bay Grasses experience at the school's Enrichment Fair - an event that draws hundreds of students and their families. Students stressed the need for individuals to take responsibility for their impact on the Watershed; they particularly stressed to their audience that fertilizers and chemicals that make their way to our storm drains have a direct impact on the Bay's health.
Healthy School
HMS custodial staff proudly use Integrated Pest Management and non-toxic cleaning products to keep our school clean, healthy, and green!
5. Community Partners
Robinson Nature Center
Our students have learned so much through their research and construction of the three environmental education displays they have made for the Robinson Nature Center in Howard County. We plan to create more displays for them in the near future.
Our students have learned so much through their research and construction of the three environmental education displays they have made for the Robinson Nature Center in Howard County. We plan to create more displays for them in the near future.
Chesapeake Bay Trust
We are proud to be the recipients of three grants from the Chesapeake Bay Trust to participate in their Bay Grasses in Classes program. We also received a $1,500 grant from the CBT in 2014 for the Governor's Schoolshed program. The CBT has provided training for our teachers, equipment, and the field trip funding for our students to travel to plant the grasses and study stream health. These experiences are the foundation for a lifelong love and respect for the bay, and we plan to continue our partnerships with CBT for years to come.
We are proud to be the recipients of three grants from the Chesapeake Bay Trust to participate in their Bay Grasses in Classes program. We also received a $1,500 grant from the CBT in 2014 for the Governor's Schoolshed program. The CBT has provided training for our teachers, equipment, and the field trip funding for our students to travel to plant the grasses and study stream health. These experiences are the foundation for a lifelong love and respect for the bay, and we plan to continue our partnerships with CBT for years to come.
Hammond Middle School PTA
Our PTA has supported our Green School programming by recycling e-waste from 2006-2008, and selling Wrap-n-Mats in 2010. It is exciting to see so many students' lunches arriving in Wrap-in-Mats instead of plastic baggies - not just on Waste Free Wednesdays, but every day!
A student-initiated project is proposing our PTA partner with a Howard County farmer to form a cooperative that would provide locally-grown organic produce to our community. Please complete the contact form below if you are interested in seeing such a partnership happen. We believe such a partnership, known as Community Supported Agriculture or CSA, is a win-win for our local economy, our health, and for the environment!
Our PTA has supported our Green School programming by recycling e-waste from 2006-2008, and selling Wrap-n-Mats in 2010. It is exciting to see so many students' lunches arriving in Wrap-in-Mats instead of plastic baggies - not just on Waste Free Wednesdays, but every day!
A student-initiated project is proposing our PTA partner with a Howard County farmer to form a cooperative that would provide locally-grown organic produce to our community. Please complete the contact form below if you are interested in seeing such a partnership happen. We believe such a partnership, known as Community Supported Agriculture or CSA, is a win-win for our local economy, our health, and for the environment!
The Friends of Patapsco Valley and Heritage Greenway, Inc.
Our Patapsco River Clean-up field trips have been a source of pride for our eighth graders over the years. We appreciate their volunteers assisting us with this important habitate restoration project.
Click the link below to view the Friends of the Patapsco web site.
http://www.patapscoheritagegreenway.org
Our Patapsco River Clean-up field trips have been a source of pride for our eighth graders over the years. We appreciate their volunteers assisting us with this important habitate restoration project.
Click the link below to view the Friends of the Patapsco web site.
http://www.patapscoheritagegreenway.org
Alicia Moore and Gemma Evans, Howard Co. Bureau of Environmental Services, Recycling Division
Ms. Alicia Moore of the Howard Co. Bureau of Environmental Services, Recycling Division, presented on April 1, 2010, to all HMS students and staff about the need for and benefits of recycling. Her presentation supports our goal of teaching our students to become lifelong stewards of the environment. Since that presentation, Ms. Moore and her colleague, Gemma Evans, have both served as resources for our school, assisting us with EcoTeam projects, individual student research, and our Green School applications. We appreciate all that they do for our school and our community!
Click on the link below to view the Howard County Bureau of Environmental Services Recycling Division's web site. They have all the information you need about what, where, and how to recycle in our county!
http://www.co.ho.md.us/DPW/recycling.htm
Howard Soil Conservation District
In 2008 HMS students participated in the Howard Soil Conservation District's Envirothon competition. This was a terrific opportunity for our students to study soils, aquatics, trees and wildlife and then demonstrate their knowledge at the hands-on event held at the Howard County Nature Conservancy.
In 2008 HMS students participated in the Howard Soil Conservation District's Envirothon competition. This was a terrific opportunity for our students to study soils, aquatics, trees and wildlife and then demonstrate their knowledge at the hands-on event held at the Howard County Nature Conservancy.
Hammond Village Citizens Association
Thanks to the Hammond Village Citizens Association for approving our storm drain stenciling project and for providing financial support.
Thanks to the Hammond Village Citizens Association for approving our storm drain stenciling project and for providing financial support.
6. Awards/Recognition
Hammond Middle School was awarded a Chesapeake Bay Trust grant in the amount of $1,500 to participate in the Governor's Explore and Restore Your Schoolshed program in February 2014.