Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP) Focus Work Group

PGCPS Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP)

Eight Priority Recommendations: Taking Action for a Carbon Neutral Future

Full Plan

Executive Summary

• K12 Climate Action Aspen Institute - Community Engagement is Necessary to Decarbonize Schools
• Prince George's County Climate Action Plan - Prince Geroge's County Climate Action Commission
• Two High Schools Awarded $100K in Science Grants!
  Potomac and Northwestern high schools were awarded nearly $100,000 in  inaugural Exelon Green Lab grant funds to support green initiatives and STEM!  The Northwestern Eco-Club received $50,000 to replace their greenhouse climate control system, create a horticultural education space and more. The Potomac Green Team received nearly $50,000 to implement Food that Fuels, a program that will use the school’s greenhouse as a community garden to improve access to healthy foods for students and residents. 
  “I am elated that these grants connect our science curriculum to real world green STEM applications, engage our community and is in sync with our County’s Climate Change Action Plan,” said Dr. Godfrey Rangasammy, K-12 Science Supervisor.

Climate Change Action Plan Focus Work Group Interim Report

Environmental Literacy and Outdoor Education

Environmental, Agriculture, and Natural Resources

Overview

The Environmental, Agricultural, and Natural Resources Program embraces an interdisciplinary approach to the study of earth systems and the human impact on the environment. The course of study is built on obtaining a solid foundation of biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Students successfully completing the programs of study are equipped to pursue areas of study in college and the expanding career fields related to environmental science.

Programs of Study

The Environmental, Agricultural, and Natural Resources Program currently features the Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education (CASE) with one pathway: Natural Resources. 

The Maryland Green Schools program, sponsored by The Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE), is one of the most rigorous and comprehensive Green School certification programs in the nation. It encourages educational opportunities, increases environmental awareness and promotes environmental stewardship practices for students at all grade levels. Through a non-competitive application process, schools must demonstrate their green activities and culture in eight criteria areas. Learn more about the Green School Program.

• View current list of Green School Program certified PGCPS schools and centers 
• News Releases
  • News Release: PGCPS Leads State in Green School Certifications
  • News Release: PGCPS Remains Top in the State for Green School Certification
  • News Release: More than Half of PGCPS Schools, Centers are Certified Green, Leading State
• Green Schools Overview (presentation)

A ground source heat pump (also geothermal heat pump) is type heating/cooling system for buildings that uses a heat pump to transfer heat to or from the ground, taking advantage of the relative constancy of temperatures of the earth through the seasons. Ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) – or geothermal heat pump (GHP) as they are commonly termed in North America – are among the most energy-efficient technologies for providing HVAC and water heating using far less energy that can be achieved by burning a fuel in a boiler/furnace) or by use of resistive electric heaters.

Wikipedia contributors. (2021, June 22). Ground source heat pump. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 14:59, June 23, 2021, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ground_source_heat_pump&oldid=1029900468

PGCPS Schools With Geothermal Heat Pumps

• Accokeek Academy
• Avalon Elementary
• Barack Obama Elementary
• Edward M. Felegy Elementary
• Fairmont Heights High
• Glenarden Woods Elementary
• Greenbelt Middle
• Oxon Hill High
• Tulip Grove Elementary
• Vansville Elementary

A rooftop photovoltaic power station, or rooftop PV system, is a photovoltaic (PV) system that has its electricity-generating solar panels mounted on the rooftop of a residential or commercial building or structure.

Wikipedia contributors. (2021, June 22). Rooftop photovoltaic power station. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 15:07, June 23, 2021, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rooftop_photovoltaic_power_station&oldid=1029852294

PGCPS Schools with Rooftop Photovoltaic Power (Solar) Station

• Glenarden Woods Elementary
• Greenbelt Middle
• Oxon Hill High
• University Park Elementary

• Green Club at Largo High School