Student Driven Sustainability Practices
2.1 Water Conservation/Pollution Prevention
Reusable Water Bottle Sale:
In the Fall of 2015, the Junior Class (with 105 members) elected to sell reusable water bottles. Their main goal in this sale was to promote the importance of reducing the amount of pollution entering the Severn River and other local waterways from disposable water bottles. They sold 20-ounce BPA-free, water bottles with the Severn Logo. (Additionally, as part of Teacher Appreciation on the Lower Campus, PS--5th Grade Teachers were given personalized reusable water bottles by the Parent Association, February 2016.)
In the Fall of 2015, the Junior Class (with 105 members) elected to sell reusable water bottles. Their main goal in this sale was to promote the importance of reducing the amount of pollution entering the Severn River and other local waterways from disposable water bottles. They sold 20-ounce BPA-free, water bottles with the Severn Logo. (Additionally, as part of Teacher Appreciation on the Lower Campus, PS--5th Grade Teachers were given personalized reusable water bottles by the Parent Association, February 2016.)
Erosion & Invasion Species Control Project:
On September 5, 2015, the sixth grade class (of 60 students) spent an afternoon weeding out invasive species and helping to install rocks in a bio-swale. The purpose of this project was to help slow down water entering into the local waterways. This was done at Lake Waterford Park in Pasadena, MD.
On September 5, 2015, the sixth grade class (of 60 students) spent an afternoon weeding out invasive species and helping to install rocks in a bio-swale. The purpose of this project was to help slow down water entering into the local waterways. This was done at Lake Waterford Park in Pasadena, MD.
8th Grade Civic Responsibility Speeches:
Eighth grade students were asked to compose a 3-minute, well-rehearsed speech that includes the techniques learned during the 8th grade Public Speaking unit. Throughout the year, students delivered their speeches to the entire Middle School student body during morning meetings. Their discussions were based off of a current event article of their choice. The article may fall into one of the following categories: humanitarian efforts, civic responsibility, civil rights, community outreach or improvement, volunteerism, or environmental awareness. Approximately 25% of the eighth grade class chose topics around environmental awareness. Topics varied from the recycling of electronics, trash in the Oceans, the health of the Chesapeake Bay and oyster restoration efforts.
Below are two samples of student speeches.
Eighth grade students were asked to compose a 3-minute, well-rehearsed speech that includes the techniques learned during the 8th grade Public Speaking unit. Throughout the year, students delivered their speeches to the entire Middle School student body during morning meetings. Their discussions were based off of a current event article of their choice. The article may fall into one of the following categories: humanitarian efforts, civic responsibility, civil rights, community outreach or improvement, volunteerism, or environmental awareness. Approximately 25% of the eighth grade class chose topics around environmental awareness. Topics varied from the recycling of electronics, trash in the Oceans, the health of the Chesapeake Bay and oyster restoration efforts.
Below are two samples of student speeches.
5th Grade "Hour of Power:"
Based on the prototype of the "Genius Hour," 5th graders were encouraged to chose an environmental "passion project" to spend an hour a week on for an 8 week time period in the Fall of 2015. Students researched topics such as overfishing, clean drinking water, oil spills, marine debris and more. Students were also encouraged to do something to "take action." Examples included teaching another class the facts of their topic, create morning "public service announcements" to share over the intercom, create posters to hang around school, and more. They followed up their project by reflecting about it. All projects were student-chosen and student-driven.
Based on the prototype of the "Genius Hour," 5th graders were encouraged to chose an environmental "passion project" to spend an hour a week on for an 8 week time period in the Fall of 2015. Students researched topics such as overfishing, clean drinking water, oil spills, marine debris and more. Students were also encouraged to do something to "take action." Examples included teaching another class the facts of their topic, create morning "public service announcements" to share over the intercom, create posters to hang around school, and more. They followed up their project by reflecting about it. All projects were student-chosen and student-driven.
Student Reflections:
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Destination Imagination:
During the 2014-2015 School year, Severn’s Lower School Destination Imagination team, The Maroon Squad (1 of 3 squads from the Lower School, annually) , comprised of six 4th and 5th grade students worked for 5 months on their scientific and service learning challenge. Destination Imagination is a cause-driven, volunteer-led non-profit organization dedicated to teaching students the creative process through STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), the arts and service learning challenges. The Maroon Squad placed 2nd in the regional competition earning them the opportunity to compete at the state level. They then came in second in their challenge at the state level, qualifying them to attend the Destination Imagination Global tournament in Knoxville, Tennessee in late May 2015. The Maroon Squad was one of 1,200 teams from 15 countries participating in the world's largest celebration of creativity.
The Maroon Squad challenge project focused on oyster restoration and the health of the Chesapeake Bay. Students researched the effectiveness of oysters to assist in cleaning the waters of the bay. Through their findings, they encouraged members of the community to participate in the efforts to restore the Bay by placing an oyster box at the end of their pier. They also created flags for communities or private dock owners to display on their piers if they have oyster boxes under the water. The team asked for help from the community: "Do you have an oyster box? Do you want to help save the Bay? We are the Maroon Squad of Destination Imagination. We are going to the Global Tournament in Knoxville, Tennessee to represent Severn School and the State of Maryland. We need your help with our project to raise awareness about the super powers of oysters." They invited people to email the team leader in order to receive one of their team's flags if you have an oyster box on the end of your personal or community dock.
"Please spread the word to your neighbors. Together we are saving the Bay one oyster at a time, woohoo!"
Destination Imagination:
During the 2014-2015 School year, Severn’s Lower School Destination Imagination team, The Maroon Squad (1 of 3 squads from the Lower School, annually) , comprised of six 4th and 5th grade students worked for 5 months on their scientific and service learning challenge. Destination Imagination is a cause-driven, volunteer-led non-profit organization dedicated to teaching students the creative process through STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), the arts and service learning challenges. The Maroon Squad placed 2nd in the regional competition earning them the opportunity to compete at the state level. They then came in second in their challenge at the state level, qualifying them to attend the Destination Imagination Global tournament in Knoxville, Tennessee in late May 2015. The Maroon Squad was one of 1,200 teams from 15 countries participating in the world's largest celebration of creativity.
The Maroon Squad challenge project focused on oyster restoration and the health of the Chesapeake Bay. Students researched the effectiveness of oysters to assist in cleaning the waters of the bay. Through their findings, they encouraged members of the community to participate in the efforts to restore the Bay by placing an oyster box at the end of their pier. They also created flags for communities or private dock owners to display on their piers if they have oyster boxes under the water. The team asked for help from the community: "Do you have an oyster box? Do you want to help save the Bay? We are the Maroon Squad of Destination Imagination. We are going to the Global Tournament in Knoxville, Tennessee to represent Severn School and the State of Maryland. We need your help with our project to raise awareness about the super powers of oysters." They invited people to email the team leader in order to receive one of their team's flags if you have an oyster box on the end of your personal or community dock.
"Please spread the word to your neighbors. Together we are saving the Bay one oyster at a time, woohoo!"
2.3 Solid Waste Reduction
Stepping Up Recycling & Our Signage:
In January of 2015, four members of the Upper School's Eco Club made signage for the dining hall to educate the student body to recycle and what was appropriate for each bin. School-wide, a change in the bins was also made for students to easily identify where items should be placed and to enhance visual awareness along with stewardship.
In January of 2015, four members of the Upper School's Eco Club made signage for the dining hall to educate the student body to recycle and what was appropriate for each bin. School-wide, a change in the bins was also made for students to easily identify where items should be placed and to enhance visual awareness along with stewardship.
Minimizing Paper Cup Waste:
The 2015-2016 student council of the Middle School as taken up the environmental cause of waste reduction through soliciting the dining hall to charge for paper cups used for water. If a student brings their own cup, they will not be charged. Since this is an ongoing project this year, two emails are attached to demonstrate the progress.
Recyclables As An Art Medium: At the Lower School, recyclable materials are often looked at with an artist's eye. Rather than send an item straight to the landfill or recycle center, items are repurposed in order to use again. It becomes a great way to investigate the Design Process. This happens across the grade levels as well as in Art class. Some highlights include:
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2.5 Structures for Environmental Learning
Drama In the Woods:
In 2015, the fall production of A Midsummer Night's Dream was held, in part, in the outdoor classroom. Led by student assistant director CeCe Lasley, the production was a great success. Below is her reflection of the production.
In 2015, the fall production of A Midsummer Night's Dream was held, in part, in the outdoor classroom. Led by student assistant director CeCe Lasley, the production was a great success. Below is her reflection of the production.
Outdoor Coffee House:
On May 1, 2015, the middle school held their "coffee house" in the outdoor classroom. The "coffee house" was organized by a committee of 12 middle school students.
Do You Want to Build a Snowman?:
Who can refuse Lower School students clamoring to build snow sculptures? Due to the record snow in January 2016, Lower School students in the 4th/5th grade embarked on creative challenges! They were able to take advantage of the outdoor space behind the Lower School to build snow shelter and sculptures.
Observing Mama Duck out in Mother Nature:
1st grade embarked on an in-depth study that sprang up out of student questions based on the resident duck living in the school's courtyard. "Mama Duck" has been returning for the past 10 years or so, each year choosing this secluded safe place to lay her eggs. (Student-created book from Spring 2015.)
Outdoor Education Elective: Outdoor Education is an elective course open to 6th, 7th and 8th grade students. Due to the popularity of the course, the school recently added an instructor to each section to allow more students to participate. Approximately forty-eight 7th and 8th grade student elect to take outdoor education during the fall and spring terms. Fifteen 6th grade students enroll in the spring term. All sections also have students on a waiting list. The course is designed to be student-centered and offers a very open curriculum designed to meet student interests. Typically, activities include:
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Purposeful Play:
The early grades (PS-Kindergarten) especially will routinely go outside to explore and learn from their environment. Some examples of these include:
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2015-16 Fellows Program Project:
Initiated for the 2008-2009 school year, the Severn Fellows program invites a select group of Severn School seniors to transcend the academic program and develop a year-long intellectual pursuit that reflects their growing passions. Students are encouraged to demonstrate their ability to synthesize ideas and to create new fields of inquiry in the application of several skills and knowledge bases that they have developed in their time at Severn.The Fellows are selected through an application process in the spring of their junior year and work on their projects throughout their senior year.
This year two students, Archer Willauer '16 and Brett Weinstein '16, chose to work together to build a tiny house that will be incorporated into the Stine Environmental Center as a teaching tool for environmentally-friendly and sensitive design.
Initiated for the 2008-2009 school year, the Severn Fellows program invites a select group of Severn School seniors to transcend the academic program and develop a year-long intellectual pursuit that reflects their growing passions. Students are encouraged to demonstrate their ability to synthesize ideas and to create new fields of inquiry in the application of several skills and knowledge bases that they have developed in their time at Severn.The Fellows are selected through an application process in the spring of their junior year and work on their projects throughout their senior year.
This year two students, Archer Willauer '16 and Brett Weinstein '16, chose to work together to build a tiny house that will be incorporated into the Stine Environmental Center as a teaching tool for environmentally-friendly and sensitive design.
While outside of the current application time frame, other Fellow Projects have included the study of Severn’s Environmental Influence on the Severn River '13, an Organic Farming Documentary '13 and a project to redesign the Teel Academic Center as a more energy efficient building priming renewable resources, energy efficiency and adaptive progress '12.
2.7 Healthy School Environment
Upper School Cycling Club:
The Cycling club has been in place for the past four years and has ranged in membership from 4-7 students. They have encouraged bike to school days and involvement in the local community.
The Upper School cycling club organized four Bike to School Days each year in an effort to encourage exercise and having a minimal effect on the environment. Students that bike to school are invited to have free bagels before the start of school.
Students participated in a ride to support the advocacy group Bicycle Advocates For Annapolis and Anne Arundel County.
The Cycling club has been in place for the past four years and has ranged in membership from 4-7 students. They have encouraged bike to school days and involvement in the local community.
The Upper School cycling club organized four Bike to School Days each year in an effort to encourage exercise and having a minimal effect on the environment. Students that bike to school are invited to have free bagels before the start of school.
Students participated in a ride to support the advocacy group Bicycle Advocates For Annapolis and Anne Arundel County.
Ropes Course and Stine Environmental Center:
The low ropes course is regularly used for team building and personal challenges for the 5th-12th grades. This encourages the students to use the natural spaces behind the school for relaxation and fitness. Students also lobbied the administration to use the outdoor classroom during lunches so that they could be outside during the day.
Kids on The Run:
There have been two running groups that have been formed for healthy lifestyle at the Lower School
There have been two running groups that have been formed for healthy lifestyle at the Lower School
- Girls on the Run started fall semester, 2015. This activity was available for ages 4th and 5th grade girls. Girls on the Run (GOTR) is a program designed to inspire girls to be joyful, healthy, and confident using a fun, experienced- based curriculum that creatively integrates running.
- The boy's version of this is called Heroes Boys Run Club. It became available for 3th--5th grade boys starting March 2016.
Severn School ~ 201 Water Street ~ Severna Park, MD 21146 ~ 410-647-7700