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