The LBMS Environmental Club was formed to give middle school students a platform to envision, initiate, and carry out their own environmental projects, from grassroots action to education & outreach. Our first meeting of the year is a brainstorm session where students suggest projects for the year, including creative ways to get an environmental message out to the public. For inspiration, we go overnight to the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens to engage in hands-on inquiry and go behind the scenes to learn about conservation. 100% student generated projects have included recycling programs, using solar and wind energy, original music, original movies, newsletters, public speaking, choreographed dancing, public performances, writing books and environmental festivals. Ideas are fine tuned and groups are formed to focus on specific projects. In 2008, over 110 students formed 19 project groups. Here are some examples (there are more!):

Green is the New Black noticed that our school had recycling dumpsters, but no bins in most classrooms. They secured donations from PTA and got 70 new recycling bins donated from a waste removal company. Now every classroom has a recycling bin, and a weekly collection schedule is in place.  The Engineering Group is pursuing renewable energy solutions by designing their own solar and wind powered tech projects, including a solar and wind powered yard light. Koi Environmental Arts design and make a line of products using recycled items. (Soda can tab belts, purses made of knitted plastic grocery bags, can magnets, and paper bag origami & more!) Green Fever is writing and performing a short musical play "about these girls who think that caring about the environment is stupid! In an attempt to ditch class, they learn something that will change their lives forever..." The Puppet Movie group is making puppets, designing and creating sets, writing the script, and writing original music. Synopsis: an arctic ice shelf breaks off, and three polar bears float down to Brazil. Polar bears and jungle creatures discuss global warming. Meanwhile, a girl searches the jungle for a cure for her mother's disease. Puppets and live action! Greenscene & ECOmedians both produce web shows, including "10 Most Polluted Places on Earth," and 'Recycling 101". Each episode focuses on an environmental topic. The Tree Huggers & Another Green Day are two groups that write, record, and perform original environmental music. The Videographers do photography and video production, commercials and slide shows. The E-Poetry group is writing environmentally inspired poetry. The E-Fiction Collection is a book of original fiction and art, six stories written in journal and letter form by animals. The Monkey Book Group is writing a book about a monkey named Scarrlett to "spread awareness about rainforest destruction and show that no matter how small you are you can help save the rainforest."  Other groups include the Assistants, Comic Group, Podcast Group, Dance Group, Design Group, and Non-Movie Group.

Beyond their group projects, E-club makes buttons, stickers, t-shirts, and organizes an Environmental Extravaganza to be performed in local schools. The entire program is written, performed, and produced by club members. Kids are the make-up artists, stage managers, sound mixers, spotlight runners, roadies, singers, dancers, actors and videographers. Last year's completed projects are available to the public, including the book "Saving Ohio in ABCs," the CD 'Voices" by The Tree Huggers, and the DVD "Save The Environment! Save The Bees!" which includes our documentary.

In the future, E-club will continue to focus on using the arts, technology and creativity to carry out our student-established mission: "To reach as many people as possible with a positive message about caring for the environment, to show that kids have a voice, and they can make a difference."

Saving Ohio in ABCs

Voices

Save the Environment! Save the Bees!

Partner Statement

The National Wildlife Federation would like to congratulate the Lee Burneson Middle School Environmental Club (E-Club) for winning a 2009 Environmental Excellence Award. The E-Club provides students with a creative platform from which to inspire and engage their fellow students and community in environmental issues. NWF applauds this creative and engaging approach to environmental education, which provides the next generation with a chance to connect with nature and with their community, creating a new generation of environmental stewards.