Today, the Center for Green Schools at the US Green Building Council (USGBC) announced the recipients of its Green Apple Day of Service Awards, which recognises outstanding K-12 sustainability service-learning projects and leaders. This year’s projects included the electrification of a school bus fleet in China, a convening of students in Qatar to discuss and propose environmental solutions, and a fashion show in Virginia featuring re-used and recycled materials. Awards were presented across three categories: depth of student and community transformation (Deep Impact); creativity in application (Creative Approach); and scale of community engagement (Broad Engagement). This year’s three recipients are:
Net Impact ISB Living Labs | Bus Fleet Electrification (Beijing, China) – Deep Impact Project:
Three students from the International School of Beijing’s (ISB) Net Impact club explored the impacts of the school’s diesel-powered bus fleet, conducting research and developing a case for cleaner emissions standards for school buses.
Garbage to Glam:
Connecting the Dots (Virginia Beach, Virginia) – Creative Approach: Colonial High School’s first ‘Garbage to Glam’ project challenged students to think about consumption, recycling, waste and reuse differently, given the recent shifts in how waste can be recycled in the US.
Qatar Eco-Schools Congress (Doha, Qatar) – Broad Engagement Project:
Qatar Eco-Schools Congress 2019 is the first event in Doha to engage students from different schools to exchange ideas and experiences, promote sustainability and discuss lessons learned for future improvement. The Congress offered a platform for students to propose solutions for vital environmental issues that impact them, as well as a practical exercise packaging leftover waste for composting for a Zero Food Waste Event.
