i.d.o.

Green Roof Constructed at Local School

Posted on 10/23/2009, at 11:52 AM
  • Greenroof

How to do your part…last weekend a dream of four young girls’ became a reality at Brownsburg East Middle School when a team of volunteers, eager students along with the local firefighters volunteered their time and efforts. The school’s teaching staff and the school corporation’s Facility Director, John Voight, allowed the student group to pursue a vision of making a green roof. The dream of creating a living, green roof over the media center at BEMS was made possible through the assistance of a few local grants. The planning and research was done by the students and deligient staff members, like Ron Strahle, to pursue the dreams of the students. The education process will continue on this project not only for the students, but for the staff as well. The plantings will go dormant this fall/winter, so in the spring they will start to see the benefits of the “living roof.”

The kids in computer class can look out onto the garden. It will be interesting to see how the kids react to seeing green outside on the roof instead of rocks…only time will tell if this has an impact on their learning or attention spans.

Has anyone read anything or a come across a study that has been done on the effects of learning near a green roof?

Submitted By: Donna Metallic

Tags: Sustainable Practices

Comments on “Green Roof Constructed at Local School”

Stephanie Richard said on October 27, 2009

I don’t know about students and academic learning, but here is an article about the installation of a green roof on the APA building in Washington DC in 2008: http://www.apa.org/monitor/2008/03/garden.html

One of the aspects of the green roof is a labrynth intended to provide a respite from a stressful day and an opportunity to reflect with others.

“For its green roof, APA will use a labyrinth design known as the Santa Rosa Labyrinth, conceived by psychologist Lea Goode-Harris, PhD.

Although the origins of the labyrinth are a mystery—the first is estimated to have been built 3,000 to 5,000 years ago—its social and psychological benefits are clear, says Goode-Harris.

“When you walk in the company of other people from different views, different religions and different political agendas, you’re all on the same path, but you move through seeing different points of views,” she says. “I see that as especially important in a city like D.C. where there are so very many factions that can come together.”

Creating such a reflective space for employees also falls in line with the goal of APA Chief Executive Officer Norman B. Anderson, PhD, to make APA a healthier workplace.

“The labyrinth will create a wonderful opportunity to help people find stillness in the middle of a busy work day, in the midst of a busy city,” says Holly Siprelle, APA director of staff initiatives."

Interesting!
Congrats to Brownsburg East Middle School!

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