Sustainability Education Case Study: Somers, NY Public Schools

Creative Change began working with Somers in 2006 through a partnership with the Children's Environmental Literacy Foundation. This collaboration has provided the district with professional development for interdisciplinary teams of teachers, support for curriculum redesign, and on-going planning support. The district also participated in a strategic planning initiative supported by the EPA via a grant to Eastern Michigan University.

* Adopted a new curriculum framework focused on eight principles: global citizenship; conflict resolution; diversity; human rights; interdependence; social justice; sustainable development; values and perceptions.

* Installation of 2Kw solar panels. Students track real-time data about energy generated and sold back to the power grid. Using the data, students calculate the different needs the solar panels can meet: "Are we generating enough power to run our computers?"

* Modified the chemistry labs to remove all heavy metals and organic solvents. Additional labs have been replaced with computer simulations, based on those used at universities. Courses are now taught in ways that are safer and show how to apply chemistry in everyday contexts

* Partnering with regional land trust for stewardship projects.

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