2007 - 2008 Grant Winners
Forest Heights Elementary, Columbia
My! What Big Feet You Have!: Reducing Our Environmental Footprint
The newly organized Forest Heights Science Club boasts a large membership of fourth and fifth grade students. One of the special interest groups within the science club is the Environmental Workgroup. These 25 students are raising awareness about environmental issues in their school and the community. They are also finding ways that everyone can change their behavior to benefit the wellness of the environment.
The Environmental workgroup will support existing environmental efforts such as recycling, and composting, and initiate new projects such as Public Service Announcements for the school’s morning news, and putting on an Eco Fest for families and the Forest Heights community. After Eco Fest the students will get together and evaluate what they have done and begin planning the next year’s activities.
Lake Murray Elementary, Lexington
Take a Wander Through the Wetlands
A group of Lake Murray Elementary fifth graders are teaching others about protecting wetland habitats. Students began monitoring water quality along a creek that flows though a wetland on campus at the beginning of the school year.
After realizing the potential for harm to wetlands from human actions, students wanted to share what they know about wetlands and how to protect them with nearby subdivision residents. They are working with the school’s art teacher to produce flyers and door hangers about wetlands and ways to protect them. These materials will be distributed to homeowners that live in the neighborhood near the wetland. What a great way to involve others in protecting wetlands and local water quality.
Oakview Elementary, Simpsonville
Solar Irrigation Project
The Solar Irrigation Project aims to capture and hold rainwater and, when needed for watering to use the sun’s energy, to distribute it. After conducting an energy efficiency audit, Oakview Elementary Robotics Team wanted to improve the efficiency of watering the schools learning habitats. With help from a Clemson Extension agent and a local irrigation company, the students will place a small pump powered by a solar panel into each of two rain barrels located at downspouts on the school building. When there is not enough rainfall to keep the school’s orchard and gardens wet enough the solar system will be used. This project will reduce energy required for irrigation, will reduce stormwater and put water back into the local environment.
Students are calculating the amount of energy saved by using a solar pump system over a conventional electric irrigation system. They will present their findings to the Greenville County School Board and will offer their expertise to other schools that may want to implement a similar project.
Charles Pinckney Elementary, Mt. Pleasant
Reducing Waste in Our School Cafeteria
Members of Charles Pinckney Elementary School’s Ecology Club have involved their entire school as they work to reduce lunchroom waste. Club members cleaned and saved a week’s worth of plastic foam serving trays to show how many trays are thrown away in one week. A “Waste Free Lunch Day” was held and the class that had the least amount of lunch trash won a prize. In order to reduce waste on other days reusable sandwich containers were given to interested students. And, instead of telling their friends what to do, club members interviewed classmates and let them share their own ideas for reducing lunch waste on the school’s news program.
In a presentation to Charleston County School District’s Executive Director of Facility Services, Ecology Club members asked that the District consider discontinuing the use of single-use lunch trays. The children are concerned about global climate change and realize that using foam trays contributes to greenhouse gases. They also want the school district to increase its conservation activities.
Pine Street Elementary, Spartanburg
Hollywood Global Awards
Lights… Camera… Action… The students and teachers at Pine Street Elementary School have used entertainment to teach others about environmental issues. Their Hollywood Global Awards extravaganza was performed under the direction of teacher, Christie Smith. The cast called themselves the Earth Saving Stars, and included 350 students in all grades (kindergarten through 6th grade). Most of the schools teachers were involved too along with some parents and grandparents. By preparing for and performing this musical, students educated themselves, their families and their peers. Many of the musical’s songs, were popular songs revised to cover issues such as global warming, recycling and more. The Hollywood Global Awards musical was performed three times for a combined audience of over 1,000 people.
Barnwell High School, Barnwell
Turtle Hurdles
The biology II classes at Barnwell High School are working to convince Edisto Island storeowners to use less lighting in their parking lots when sea turtles are nesting and hatching. Bright lights can confuse hatchlings and lead them away from the ocean. Many hatchlings die each year as a result. As part of their project, the students are also teaching local third-graders about sea turtles and making an exhibit about the coast that will be displayed in the new Barnwell County museum.
Blythewood High School, Blythewood
Living in Harmony with Nature
Students taking part in the Living in Harmony with Nature project are reducing their carbon footprint. With their families, they are conserving energy and other resources through everyday actions. Carbon footprint refers to the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses produced when fossil fuels are used for energy. By reducing energy use, students can reduce greenhouse gasses and pollution. Prizes will go to the students who most successfully reduce their carbon footprints.
Heathwood Hall, Columbia - Check out their television spot (Apple Quicktime player required)
Rain Garden
The fifth- and sixth-grade students at Heathwood Hall started a rain garden last year, and this year they are completing it. A rain garden is a bowl-shaped area that collects water that runs off from streets, roofs and parking lots. The plants in the garden help trap pollutants from the runoff. The filtered water then soaks into the soil. The students have told other kids at their school about rain gardens. Some families have planted their own rain gardens at home.
Seth Mangan, Walhalla
Storm Drain Action
Eagle scout candidate Seth Mangan organized a storm drain stenciling project in Walhalla. Volunteers from his troop and the community will paint messages at local storm drain sties to warn residents about the damage that runoff pollution does to water quality. Next to 200 drains, the volunteers will paint “Don’t Dump! Drains to Cane Creek and Lake Keowee.” Seth’s project will help make residents aware that storm drains connect roads and parking lots to creeks and lakes. Then everyone can help keep pet waste, chemicals and yard trash out of the drains.
Stone Academy for Communication Arts, Greenville
Croft Park Renovation
Stone Academy students have stopped the erosion that made their playground an unsafe place to play. Their playground is a small city park located on an old dumpsite. Broken glass used to appear along the sidewalk when runoff from rainstorms washed away soil. Fourth- and fifth-graders worked together to plant native grasses, plants, and trees to keep the soil in place when it rains. They made part of the newly planted area into a rain garden to collect rainwater. The rain garden keeps some of the runoff from the park out of the storm drain and the nearby creek. 
Congratulations to all our Champions. You, too, can do your part for South Carolina’s environment.
Check out the Doing Your Part page for some project ideas.