Always up for a challenge, the 8th-grade “Topics in Sustainability” class is once again entered into the regional Green Schools Quest. These students under the direction of Melissa Breed-Parks examine ways to make MRH Middle School more environmentally friendly and sustainable. For this year’s contest, they wanted to focus on bees and the effect they have on the school’s environment. One aspect of this plan was to teach Early Childhood Center students about bees and our dependence on them in everyday life. As a class, the 8th-grade students taught four lessons to two 2nd-grade classes and two kindergarten classes. The ECC learners participated in a presentation, game, pre/post survey, and even tasted honey made from the bees at the Middle School. The class had a blast presenting and leading the activities and the kids had much fun learning new things about bees and the environment. 

The Green Schools Quest is an annual project-based challenge to PreK-12 schools to devise and implement no/low cost sustainability projects at their school over a six month period of time. Schools document their impact during the project and submit their progress for judging by an impartial panel at the conclusion. Cash awards and trophies are presented to winning teams in Elementary, Middle and High School Divisions and five Spotlight Awards are presented across the age divisions.