Showing posts with label footprint. Show all posts
Showing posts with label footprint. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

NT Community Footprint Proposal

Five Community Proposals will be made based on combining individual efforts with research:

1) Food/eating/drinking
2) Energy
3) Outside the building
4) Technology
5) Student Life


Students will be assessed on the following aspects of their footprint proposal, all due on Wednesday, January 13:
1. Statement of Philosophy. Why should this be done? What responsibility do we have in this area? Create a thorough, polished piece of writing, of about 250 words. Include citations and quotations from authors, thinkers, and historical figures from class material.
2. Community Footprint/Proposal/Manifesto /Blueprint for a Better World (you need to come up with the title): What should be done? What is feasible? What is necessary? What can be done immediately? What should long-range goals be? Once again, this should be formal , polished writing, but might include non-essay elements like bullet points and lists.
3. Supporting Data. Use the best work and scientific research that groups completed on Step 1 (each proposal group will have access to all IGSS data, and may of course, find new data) to support your proposal. Present your data in the most powerful fashion possible, and be sure to credit all sources.
4. Suggested Audience(s). Research who and what needs to receive your work. Develop a plan for spreading the word that might include media outlets, New Trier committees, or larger groups.

Steve Linke and Jon Ackerman from PPS gave us a tour of the NT roof; we viewed the solar photovoltaic panels. He explained how the HVAC system works at New Trier and toured us through the boiler room; Linke also explained how future plans for heating/cooling will happen with future renovations of the physical plant.

Student Research time/collaboration. Science Lab Time.

Value Statements: Defending our ideas
To what extent do you agree/disagree:

"We should always keep the future and the environment in mind in every single choice we make. Even if extreme measures are necessary, it is our obligation to care for future generations and for others who need access to resources."

"Climate change is part of life on Earth. Humans are as natural as anything else, and our effect on the environment is just part of global history."

"Limiting growth and production has too many negative consequences. It's not worth it to hurt people for polar bears."

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Speaker Today!


Brooks Scott, regional manager of Patagonia gave a thoughtful presentation on the footprint of its products.

Their philosophy is: A belief in "in using business to inspire solutions to the environmental crisis".

Patagonia is committed to making quality products with processes that cause the least harm to the environment. They evaluate raw materials, invest in innovative technologies, rigorously police their waste and use a portion of our sales to support groups working to make a real difference. Those who work there share a strong commitment to protecting undomesticated lands and waters.

Read more at The Footprint Chronicles!


Day 3 of Research continues on footprint project.

topics include:

Nik and Claire ---gym towels
Katie and Anna ---transportation to school
Spencer and Ryan -meat at NT
Danielle and Jess-paper towel
Emily & Christian-salt and plowing
John and Josh ----water on sports fields
Leslie and Liza-- paper bags use in the cafeteria
Rachel and Bella- water bottles
Jesse and Jeremy- plastic water bottles
Annie and Josie-- light bulbs
Hanna and Alex -- lighting/electricity
Ali ---carbon footprint of transporting food to NT
Corey and Elle ---construction project at NT
James and Patrick-fertilizer and lawn care at NT
Dylan and Alex L.- computers and electricity
Claire H. --energy efficient or hybrid cars
Gabby --computers and electricity
Ellen --NT fields and their impact
Joe --use of textbooks at NT

Student initiated project: Completion of service project-- students bought supplies to pack hundreds of sack lunches to donate to Niles Township Food Pantry. On an assembly line students made sandwiches, added chips/pretzels and fruit chewies during the break time.

Town Hall Meeting to prioritize ideas for future fundraising.

New Trier Organic Garden