"Going Green" is more than just a phrase; it is a mind-set change in the home, workplace, and environment.  In the EFE classroom, the students are very much into recycling.  Printer paper is recycled in a special bin, plastic bottles are separated in another labeled bin, and laserjet printer ink cartridges and Xerox toner cartridges are collected and recycled through the school supply department. Several years ago, the EFE focus on recycling went beyond the obvious when "eyeglass recycling" was introduced by the Mount Vernon Lions Club.  Since the partnership between the Lion's Club and Lenscrafters was formed, eyeglasses are recycled throughout the year.  Cooperative education internship students also are encouraged to collect used eyeglasses from their job sites for donation.  Attached is the lesson plan to introduce the EFE green community service project to the class.

 Energy and Environmental Sustainability

Standard:  The student will be introduced to "sustainability" and the growing workforce skills needed for green jobs.

Competencies:

1. Discuss the importance of efforts by policymakers, businesses, educators, and citizens to create more energy and environmental sustainability.
2. Explain CTE's role in the development of the new "green collar" workforce.
3. Explore new green career opportunities and pathways that will enhance employment potential.
4. Identify the "greening" of current careers to meet the demand for sustainability in products and services.
5. Research a green career and the required program of study from certificate training to advanced educational degrees.

The Education for Employment classes and cooperative education internship students are utilizing the following classroom practices that support sustainability: 

1.  Recycling - printer paper, cans, and plastic bottles have specific bins  in the classroom for recycling. The instructor promotes that students bringing in water bottles rather than bottled water and coffee drinkers use non-perishable mugs. It takes a change in mindset even for the instructor; however the practices are discussed and personally modeled.  Hopefully student employees will model the behaviors in their families,communities, and workplaces. During the holiday season which just passed, the informal discussion of recycling gift wrap, bows, and boxes to be re-used added to recycling efforts.

2.  The instructor turns off classroom lights upon leaving in the evenings, on weekends, and holiday breaks.  The school does have a mold issue and staff is often directed to leave lights on to counter the growth of mold spores.

3.  Canvas and plastic bags are collected by the instructor and not only reused for shopping, but saved to allow students to re-use them for taking home gym uniforms or clothes, and cleaning out lockers throughout the quarters.

4.  AV equipment such as LCD projectors, overhead projectors, and digital presenters are turned off immediately after use to save bulb replacement cost and energy.  The students are aware that shutting down the computers at the end of the day would be an energy saving strategy; however Hayfield's technology team requires that all students simply log off and not shut down as computer updates run in the evenings and overnight.  Hopefully the students will use more energy efficient practices with computers at home and in their workplace based on policy.

5.  Showcase display cases are cleaned with vinegar, baking soda, and newspaper to prevent streaks and reduce cleaning costs versus buying paper towels and commercial glass cleaner.

6.  At the end of each quarter, the EFE instructor who is also an FCCLA sponsor washes the clothes left in the school lost and found and delivers them to a local homeless shelter for re-use.  EFE students see this practice modeled and discussed; hence they add to the shelter collection by bringing in personal items to donate.

7.  In teaching the consumerism unit, the goal is to maximize savings in the areas of food, clothing, transportation, energy use, and child care expenses if applicable. Some of the EFE students are teen parents.  In brainstorming strategies to cut costs, the following reduce, re-use, and recycle green tips are included and discussed:

• Food Costs - reduce the amount of red meat and chicken in one's daily diet (these animals are raised with steroid infused feed), supplement with healthier food choices such as nuts, cheese, milk, and potatoes, buy fresh local produce, find creative ways to use food leftovers, and pack lunches in coolers or Artic Zone lunch bags.  
• Clothing Costs - rather than purchase random clothing, start with a few classic colors and wardrobe pieces; then accessorize with vests, jackets, jewelry, scarves etc. to expand outfits in one's wardrobe. 
• Transportation Costs - walk, bicycle, carpool, take metro, and buy environmentally friendly vehicles which save in the long-term comparison of total costs.
• Energy Costs - use compact fluorescent bulbs and LED lights versus incandescent bulbs as these energy efficient bulbs use 1/5 of the energy of the incandescents and are 4-5 times more price efficient.  Conserve with energy efficient appliance purchases and water conservation in personal hygiene care.

Hopefully by equipping the students to think and discuss environmentally friendly issues, the awareness will bring about action in schools, families, the workplace, and communities. We have one planet to live on and that's all we get, not just for us but future generations.  Now is the time to put words into action.