Overview the
green design lab
The Green Design Lab is a guide for greening your school building integrating core
concepts of science, technology, engineering and math into a comprehensive curriculum
and workforce development program.
[ STEM-based
Education ] + [ Workforce
Development ] + [ Green
Schools ]
The Green Design Lab is The Green Design Lab is a great The Green Design Lab is an
uniquely positioned to explore way to integrate green workforce excellent compliment to the NYC
the interdisciplinary concepts development opportunities for School Construction Authorities’
of a STEM-based approach to students by responding to the Green Schools Guide.
learning while also attending to green building needs of the school
environmental and community- or nearby community. Each section of the Green Design Lab will
based issues facing many schools. correlate to recommendations presented
By coupling many of the core engineering, in the SCA Guide allowing educators and
The program’s framework provides math and science concepts with school administrators to easily integrate
educators a project-based and experiential experience in the field – the depth and lessons about each focus area with the
approach to learning while attending to the value of learning increases exponentially Guide’s recommendations based on
increasingly important need for ecological for both student and educator. the LEED (Leadership in Energy and
literacy and job readiness in many emerging Environmental Design) rating system.
green jobs fields. The Green Design Lab A myriad of extensions are possible
focuses on six content areas including including training in: Tips and recommendations on student-led
materials, air quality, water, food, energy projects, renovations and ideas for new
and recycling as a blueprint for applications • Building Performance – A track that construction will be included alongside
in sustainable design, engineering and introduces students to the concept and general lesson plans and background
creative problem solving. practice of energy efficiency, including information on each focus area covered
methods for assessing the energy use in the Green Design Lab. A brief primer
Promoting collaboration and relevant of new and existing buildings, and for educators will also be included to
critical thinking skills, The Green Design techniques for retrofitting buildings to summarize the core objectives of the SCA
Lab situates core concepts of science, math increase energy efficiency. Guide while introducing some pedagogical
and engineering in the immediate physical • Photovoltaic Installation – A track and learning goals.
environment of the school building. The that teaches the science and mechanics
objective of the Green Design Lab is to of photovoltaic (PV) systems, provides
equip students with a systems-thinking students with hands-on installation
approach to problem solving using design experience, and exposes them to current
and engineering as a focus to explore information on grid-interconnection, net-
many different concepts of sustainability, metering, and rebates.
technology and mathematics. Through • Horticulture and Sustainable
the simple objective of making the school Landscaping – A track that teaches how
building more sustainable, students are to plant and maintain sustainable urban
empowered to embrace STEM concepts forests and grasslands, and how to conduct
in a process of learning by doing. This research and promote the many benefits of
framework naturally allows for cross- sustainable greenery.
disciplinary applications that can easily flow • Deconstruction and Recycling – A
across many boundaries while encouraging track that teaches the skills required for
hands-on approaches to abstract concepts closed-loop waste reduction demolition by
of ecology and systems thinking. extracting and saving building materials
for reuse.
Content Areas the
green design lab
Energy
The Energy Unit will focus on energy use and
efficiency in your school building. Students will
Materials be encouraged to think critically about how Air Quality
their school building consumes and uses energy
The Materials Unit provides an and the resultant impacts this production/use This Unit will focus on issues related to
introduction to green design and has on their local community and environment. indoor air quality and health inside school
sustainable materials that could be buildings. A number of environmental and
integrated into the design of your school Green Schools Guide Extension health issues will be presented to students
building. A background will be supplied Energy (Energy Efficiency, HVAC Optimization, with an aim to facilitate critical thinking
for students to understand the basics of Green Power), Indoor Air Quality (Daylighting), about how to address issues related to air
how most schools are constructed and how Optional (Renewable Energy) quality.
this impacts their local communities and
environment. Green Jobs Extension Green Schools Guide Extension
PV Installation and Maintenance; Building Indoor Air Quality (All)
Green Schools Guide Extension Performance (Energy Efficiency and Retrofits,
Materials (Efficient Materials Use, Heat vs. Electricity) Green Jobs Extension
Sustainable Materials) Building Performance (Mold Prevention and
Safety) ; PV Installation (Pollution Control)
Green Jobs Extension
Deconstruction and Materials Salvaging,
Building Performance
Food
In this Unit we will explore issues related
to food, how it gets to your school and the
environmental impacts of this process. Recycling and Waste
Students will be encouraged to
The Recycling and Waste Unit will explore
investigate the source of their food and Water ways in which your students can take the lead
consider alternative ways of creating a more
sustainable and local food system for their and start thinking creatively about how to
The Water Unit will concentrate on water-
school. use and conservation. Students will be
implement and maintain a functional recycling
encouraged to think about how water is system. They will also be shown how to educate
Green Schools Guide Extension used in their school, where it comes from, others about the need to reduce their overall
Site (Development Density and Community where it goes and asked to create original consumption.
Connectivity), Materials (Storage and designs that can help conserve and use
Collection of Recyclables), Optional (Green water in innovative ways. Green Schools Guide Extension
Roof) Materials (Storage and Collection of
Green Schools Guide Extension Recyclables, Building Reuse, Construction
Green Jobs Extension Water (Outdoor and Indoor Systems) Waste Management, Recycled Content,
Horticulture and Sustainable Landscaping Regional Materials etc.)
Green Jobs Extension
Building Performance; Deconstruction Green Jobs Extension
– recycling old sinks/pipes etc. Deconstruction and Materials Salvage
Material Development the
green design lab
Core Materials
Student Guide Teacher’s Guide Professional
4Background Information (Quick 4Core Content Development
Readers/Fact Sheets) 4Background Information (Readers)
4Introduction, Materials, Energy, Food, 4Green Design/Sustainability Primer 4Best Practices Guide: Teaching
Waste and Recycling, Air Quality, Water 4Hands-On Activities/Field Study 4Strategies and Greening Your
4Worksheets (Design Process and for 4Assessment Curriculum (STEM integration)
individual activities) 4Green Action Plan Guide 4Powerpoint and Handouts
4Community/Family Connection Take 4Best Practices - Pedagogy
Homes Green School Infrastructure Extension 4Green School Guidelines Overview
4Green Jobs Extension Primer Using the NYC School Construction 4Green Jobs Overview
Authority Green Schools Guide as a
template, a corresponding primer will be
developed for each unit (1-2 pages per Unit).
Green Jobs Extension
A brief extension to connect each unit (food,
materials, water etc.) to a relevant green job
with suggested activities, descriptions and
ideas on how to initiate a partnership for a
more robust training program. (2-3 pages per
Unit)
Audiences
Elementary (K-5) Middle (6-8) High School (9-12)
Content Matrix
Water Energy Materials Waste Air Food
STEM
Green School
Green Jobs
or Project
Approach and Delivery the
green design lab
Pedagogical Approach Learning Objectives Time/Format Standards Areas
4Project-Based Learning 4Systems and Design Thinking Skills 4Time/Length 4Science
4Experiential Learning Developed 6 Units (Unit Length – 2-3 Weeks 4Engineering and Design
4Vocational Training 4Workforce Development Each) 4Social Studies
4Hands-On Learning (Design 4Creative Problem Solving 4Mathematics
Education) 4Ecological Literacy/Sustainability Delivery Components 4Communications
Education 4In-Classroom Activity/Learning 4Technology
4Field Study/Hands-On Activity 4Language Arts
4Green Jobs Training Extension 4Health
Unit Components
What’s the Story?
This first introductory section sets the stage for each topic, giving students background information and historical context on each issue providing
key words and summaries. Helping to set the scene, students gain a broad knowledge of some key issues associated with topics like renewable
energy and water quality.
Let’s Take a Closer Look!
This section prompts students to investigate and explore the hidden systems connected to each resource found in this focus area. The idea is
to allow students to pose simple questions like “where does my water come from”? and “how does food get to my cafeteria”? They will then
investigate further through hands-on activities, projects, research and field studies. This self-directed process allows students to gain a better
appreciation for each focus area and take ownership of a space they use 5 days a week. We will guide them to think of ways to make this space more
sustainable.
Let’s ReThink!
Finally, students are given the opportunity to be creative and to rethink how their school is designed and operates. Let’s ReThink provides students
with valuable tools, applications, examples, and case studies to help inspire them to think differently about buildings and their systems. At the
end of this section, students will have re-designed their building while addressing the issues in the particular focus area – all the while being
encouraged to think about how all the issues interrelate.
Food
Students designing hydroponic
unit for City-As-School Greenhouse
City-As-School students visit
rooftop farm in Greenpoint
Max holds up strawberry picked
from Greenpoint’s first rooftop
farm called BK1
Energy
City-As-School students visit NYC’s
largest powerplant “Big Alice” in
Long Island City
Students learn how to setup simple
PV (Photovoltaic) module with
compact fluorescent bulb
Students help construct a mobile
PV (Photovoltaic) charge station
Student helps create new floorplans
for school classroom
Design &
Engineering
Students prep materials for
building performance retrofit
Students visit Icestone a company
that makes recycled tiles from old
glass and other materials
Students inspect heating and cooling infrastructure
on roof of Manhattan Comprehensive Night and
Day School
Waste &
Air Quality
Students design new
Building Performance and Energy recycling signage to be
Audit Supplies placed around the school
Poster designed for waste
reduction event at School
