MOUNT MADONNA SCHOOL
State And National Environmental Awards
ABOVE ( l-r ): Matt Rodriguez , California Secretary for Environmental Projection ; Jessica Cambell , MMS fifth grade and elementary science teacher ; Mary Supriya McDonald , MMS head of school ; Jenni Leach , MMS director of Lower School ; and Nate Rockhold , former MMS fifth grade co-teacher .
Environmental education that engages students as community change-makers is a hallmark of the curriculum at Mount Madonna School ( MMS ). Recently , the efforts of MMS students were recognized statewide and nationally .
The Seed of Flame , a STEM project undertaken by seventh grade students , was one of 16 finalists nationwide to receive a $ 10,000 prize through the 2016-17 air and climate Lexis Eco Challenge in February . Finalist teams are now participating in a chance to earn additional grants and scholarships .
“ Mount Madonna ’ s seventh grade has taken on this project in response to our changing climate ,” said science teacher Katrina Leni-Konig . “ We are engaging social media and art activism to raise awareness about local impacts , and to catalyze global action .”
The students launched a challenge on Instagram , @ seed _ of _ flame . The public is invited to post pictures of themselves or others hugging a tree , with the hashtag # hugatree . Selected photographs will be compiled into a public art exhibit .
The class is supporting the organization , Trees for the Future , through an online campaign at https :// donate . trees . org / seedOFflame . Their goal is to raise $ 640 , enough to help a family in Africa grow and maintain a forest garden , providing food security and enhancing environmental resources .
They have created a YouTube video , “ Seed of Flame Claymation ,” and are in the process of designing a video game . Also in the works is a week-long summer camp for middle school kids to learn about forest ecology and stewardship , to be held at MMS .
Inspired by the Loma Fire , a nearby wildfire that occurred in fall 2016 , the students developed a plan to benefit the local community by transforming a school greenhouse into a forest nursery to restore forests after wildfire , disease , and other human impacts .
Students began a small classroom seed bank , with seeds gathered from the forest surrounding their school . Once established , the forest nursery and seed bank will serve as an ongoing educational resource for the school and broader community . Currently the seed bank contains thousands of seeds , including acorn , redwood , manzanita , madrone , and coyote bush .
“ I love that we will be able to help the community restore what forest was lost in the fire ,” said seventh grader Alyssa Manzur .
TOP : Mount Madonna School fifth graders conduct a beach cleanup and microplastics survey as part of their class environmental project . ABOVE : Mount Madonna School seventh graders hug trees near their campus as part of a “# hugatree ” Instagram effort , @ seed _ of _ flame .
Students will soon germinate the seeds in their forest nursery . Once established , the plants will be transplanted to areas needing restoration at Mount Madonna , as well as coordinating with Cal Fire for a restoration project at the Loma Fire site .
To learn more about their project , visit sites . google . com / mountmadonna . org / theseedofflame /.
Elementary students recently received state accolades , with the presentation of the Governor ’ s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award ( GEELA ), celebrating the environmental education work of MMS fifth grade students for the last nine years !
MMS is one of 12 California organizations – and the only school – recognized with a 2016 GEELA , the state ’ s highest environmental honor , in a ceremony held January 19 in Sacramento .
“ I am extremely honored to be a part of Mount Madonna School ,” commented project mentor and teacher Jessica Cambell , “ and to have worked with amazing teachers like Nate Rockhold and [ the late ] Sri Gyan James McCaughan , to create an award-winning program that allows students to find passion in using their voice to create positive change within the world !”
“ This year ’ s GEELA recipients are demonstrating the creativity and collaboration that make California a leader in protecting our environment ,” said CalEPA Secretary Matthew Rodriquez . “ They stand out as examples for how sustainable practices go hand-in-hand with economic and organizational success .”
Following the ceremony Cambell was also presented with a certificate from the California State Assembly , recognizing MMS ’ GEELA achievement presented from Assemblyman Mark Stone , representative of the 29th Assembly District .
PHOTOS BY KATRINA LENI-KONEG , SHMUEL THALER AND T . C . CLARK , CALRECYLE
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GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN MARCH / APRIL 2017 gmhtoday . com