Springside School

Project: Planting Native Trees and Shrubs to Enhance the Environment and Wildlife Habitat

Through this project, girls in the lower school (grades 1st through 4th) will plant native trees and shrubs in an area located near a bird blind used by the School as part of their science curriculum. This planting will enhance the area around the bird blind and attract more birds as the trees produce edible seeds and nuts and provide additional habitat and nesting areas for the birds.

Additionally, the planting will benefit water quality in the Wissahickon watershed by facilitating infiltration of some of the stormwater runoff at the site. Students will care and maintain the planting area throughout the year, including the summer.

Julia R.Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School

Project: Recycling and Waste Reduction Program

Through this project, students at Masterman School will develop an action plan to reduce waste and increase recycling efforts at the School. Once this plan is developed, the students will implement it at the school. The student’s plan could serve as a model for other schools in Philadelphia who are facing the same issues with waste reduction and recycling.

An environmental club will also be formed at Masterman, and through seminars, field trips, and invited speakers, the club will focus on the topics of recycling, waste reduction, and sustainability.