Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy

Green Schools Academy and Erie Design Collaborative 

 

During 2012-2014, the Erie City School District (ESD) has participated in the Green Schools Academy, sponsored by the Green Building Alliance of Pittsburgh, PA.  Each month, an internationally-known expert has lectured at the Phipps Conservatory and conducted a workshop for 8 schools.  Some of the experts have included:  David Orr, David Sobel, Natalie Jeremejenko, Dr. Paul Francis, Bill Strickland, Majora Carter, Bill Reed, and Bob Berkebile.  The purpose of the Academy is to provide the foundational information and strategies for schools to create healthy and high-performing schools.

 

 

In the summer of 2013, the Erie City School District conducted the Erie Design Collaborative which formed teams of students, teachers, environmentalists and architects to design and build models of green classrooms and school areas.  Students were able to work with local experts to learn how to build models to scale.  Thirteen models from twelve different schools have been on display at East High School, Erie Insurance, Erie City Hall, the Jefferson Society, the Tom Ridge Center, Penn State Behrend College, Mercyhurst University and used in the respective schools to educate students the public about green design.  Teachers and students learned about green elements during design charrettes based upon the 7 petals of the Living Building Challenge:  Health, Beauty, Water, Energy, Materials, Site and Equity to prepare for the summer camps.