Et cetera : An 8th-grader describes his energy-saving GreenSchools! project to Iowa Senator

James McGirt

American Forest Foundation

Yesterday, one of Project Learning Tree’s Iowa GreenSchools! families, the Isbells, along with AFF’s Melissa Harden (far right) and James McGirt (far left), were afforded the opportunity to meet with Iowa Senator Tom Harkin and his staff. The gathering, which was held to allow the Senator to connect with his constituents, had about 25 people in attendance.

Upon entering the room, the Senator immediately gravitated toward the Isbells and asked Jacob (center), an 8th grade student from Vinton-Shellsburg Middle School, about his involvement in GreenSchools! Jacob explained about his desire to reduce his school’s energy cost through utilizing solar panels. The Senator was thoughtful, polite and engaging and obviously well briefed about the GreenSchools! program.

We shared that GreenSchools! is a national program that is currently engaging around 400 schools around the country. Our students go beyond just energy investigations but also explore their school’s waste and recycling, the physical school site, water usage, and environmental quality as well. We stressed that Jacob’s and his families’ presence on Capitol Hill was a testament to genuinely empowering youth and communities through GreenSchools! programming.

The Senator seemed especially interested in the idea of students grasping the concept of engaging in energy efficient building modifications in the present, such as retrofitting old lights, to pave the way for future savings and sustainable practices down the road. It was great to witness Senator Harkin take significant time (approx. 10-15 min.) to learn about the transformative power of GreenSchools! firsthand from one of our own first families of GreenSchools! – the Isbells!