| Summertime is here and kids are out of school, so it is | | | | responsibility for helping to save the planet. To help |
| the perfect time for parents and kids to get serious | | | | parerets out, following is a list of environmentally |
| about our environment and keeping it a safe and | | | | inspired websites for kids to take a look at this |
| beautiful place to enjoy for many years to come. | | | | summer: |
| According to a recent article in THE Journal by Chris | | | | Environmental Education for Kids is an online magazine |
| Riedel entitled, "Green Schools: The Color of Money" | | | | for grades four to eight created by the Wisconsin |
| school districts have finally discovered that going green | | | | Department of Natural Resources, which has short |
| can mean financial rewards. | | | | articles and activities about animals, and plants. |
| It is not just about turning off lights, changing light bulbs | | | | - EPA Student Center - This Environmental Protection |
| or shutting off idle computers -- it is about rethinking | | | | Agency site includes information on a wide range of |
| the way things are done at every level from | | | | environmental issues. Kids can click on "Fun Activities" |
| companies, to schools, or even at home. | | | | to play environmental games. |
| Schools need to analyze everything from natural gas | | | | - Be, Live, Buy Different - A project of the World |
| and electricity use to heating and air conditioning | | | | Wildlife Fund and the Center for a New American |
| systems, along with maintenance and construction | | | | Dream, the site was created to inform young people |
| procedures. It is important for any organization to | | | | about how everything we buy and use affects |
| develop long-term plans. | | | | biodiversity. Take the Buy-O-Diversity Quiz! |
| The Taunton Public Schools called in a group known | | | | - The Green Squad - An NRDC website that's also |
| as Energy Education, who helps develop energy | | | | available in Spanish shows you how to identify and |
| conservation programs for U.S. school districts with the | | | | solve environmental problems. You can can explore a |
| goal of converting dollars spent on energy to dollars | | | | colorful virtual school room by room, and use the |
| spent on education. Tis group was retained to help find | | | | mouse to locate potential hazards. Teachers and |
| ways to decrease its energy consumption and their | | | | parents will find the site useful as it offers a wide |
| bottom line. | | | | range of resources. |
| One interesting example mentioned in the article; typical | | | | - The Greens - Izz and Dex are green animated |
| school vending machines cost up to $450 a year to | | | | characters that not only have green skin, but they |
| run, but by using a motion sensor that shuts down the | | | | have lots of great ideas about protecting the planet. |
| machine's compressor when there is no activity, | | | | Visit this site to watch short cartoons about |
| schools can save up to two-thirds with each machine, | | | | environmental issues Nature Challenge for Kids. |
| and most schools districts have from 40 to 50 vending | | | | Nature Challenge for Kids - a David Suzuki Foundation |
| machines. | | | | website place for all kinds of fun activities starting with |
| In just two years, the Energy Education program | | | | ten simple ways you can protect nature. |
| helped Taunton save more than $660,000 in energy | | | | Remember to join community projects this summer in |
| costs, including costs on electricity, natural gas, fuel oil, | | | | your town to help pick up garbage at the beach, or |
| and water. Everything from disabling vending machine | | | | simply at a nearby park. Teaching our children about |
| lights to managing irrigation played a role in savingsand | | | | the importance of the environment is a job that both |
| our environment. | | | | parents and teachers must share -- at home and at |
| Students everywhere in schools across the country | | | | school. |
| are also beginning to get the message about taking | | | | |