Project Description
The Snowball Effect
Local utility representatives spoke to students about energy efficiency and sustainability issues
Parents, children and businesses donated time and materials for the garden which has become a National Wildlife Society Certified Wildlife Habitat
All Grant School students participated in creating the “windows” sculpture installed on the south wall above the garden
Fourth graders collaborated on a poem based on their experiences in the garden
Styrofoam lunch trays were replaced with a biodegradable product
The school’s recycling program has expanded
An Eco Club and a Stream Team now focus on environmental issues
- Paper consumption at Grant School was reduced
- An Eco School House song was written and performed by kids at various community events
- A School House Rock event was held to demonstrate “green” school activities
- The Eco School House has been on the Missouri Solar Homes Tour for the past 2 years
- Partnerships with community groups and business neighbors has reduced the need for parking and increased walking to school
- Bike racks were installed to promote alternative transportation.
Sustainable Design Benefits
- Skylights and indirect, energy-efficient lighting fixtures provide a well-lit and calming classroom atmosphere.
- Built-in recycling station encourages sustainable practices.
- Floor tile, a low-emitting, durable and rapidly renewable, domestically grown corn product, lowers maintenance costs and improves indoor air quality.
- Energy Recovery Unit captures energy from exhaust air to pretreat incoming air, while the CO2 Sensor monitors air quality and controls fresh air supply on demand.
- Airlock Entry reduces air infiltration.
- Native plantings require less water and maintenance.
- Photovoltaic panels supply roughly 36% of the building’s power needs.
- Roof reflects heat and lowers the building’s cooling load.
- Recycled aluminum acoustical panels improve the building’s sound quality.
- Durable, waste reducing, prefabricated SIP construction with a vapor barrier minimizes air/water infiltration and maximizes thermal efficiency.
- Energy-efficient heat pump enhances low temperature heating capability.
- Windows provide natural daylighting and cross-ventilation while roof overhangs reduce harsh light and heat.
- Low VOC paints and coatings improve indoor air quality.
- Rain barrels capture water and a drip irrigation efficiently funnels water to the landscape.
- Light-colored concrete paving helps moderate exterior air temperature.
- Fly-ash, a post-industrial recycled product, improves concrete performance.
- Durable fiber cement siding lasts longer and requires less maintenance than traditional vinyl siding.