Question 8) Should High Performance, Sustainable school design be used as a teaching and learning tool?
Sustainability will be the great, defining issue of the 21st century. By involving students in a design process that incorporates “Green”, a number of critical societal issues will be addressed, including:
• Leadership- By understanding the nature of high performance design via authentic real-world projects, students will be prepared to function and lead successfully as adults in the marketplace and culture of sustainability.
• Literacy- Mastery of curriculum that is driven, in part, by hands-on projects which includes high performance, sustainable design, "green" architecture, the environment, alternative energy, water related issues and technology is win-win-win. Students are deriving their academic learning from a compelling real-world issue; by doing so, they are being prepared to enter the work world with cutting edge job skills; and “green” projects are fun – win-win-win!
• School as Textbook- An educational facility that is a transparent model of green design can be used to educate students, staff, and the community about money and Earthsaving sustainable design principles.
• Advocacy- A school that is designed to meet sustainable principals will provide students with an unparalleled opportunity to educate the larger community about how we use and conserve our finite natural resources
A “green” school therefore, provides a rich milieu for students to become academically advanced and models of exemplary, responsible citizenship.
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