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.
PGCPS Climate Change Action Plan Focus Work Group Public Survey Results (2021)
Each goal will promote greater student achievement through meaningful outdoor education experiences.
Goal 1: Every Student Outdoors Every Year Goal 2: Authentic Inquiry Based Learning for all Students Goal 3: Professional Development of Environmental Literacy for all Teachers Goal 4: Every School will be a Green School Goal 5: Curriculum Alignment of Environmental Literacy Standards
Mission Statement
Environmental literacy will increase the capacity of the school community through…
Meaningful outdoor experiences
Program development
Curriculum development
Professional development
Green school support
Partnership opportunities
Vision Statement
The Environmental Literacy Team envisions a connected school community of environmentally literate leaders who possess the knowledge, intellectual skills, experience, and motivation to make and act upon responsible environmental decisions.
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.
Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education (CASE) - Natural Resources
The Natural Resources program of study is composed of a four-course sequence that covers environmental, agricultural and natural resource issues and management. Students will engage in scientific inquiry related to local and regional environmental problems and issues in natural resources management. Recommended Electives: Advanced Placement Biology, Advanced Placement Chemistry, Advanced Placement Environmental Science, Environmental Issues
Program Duration: 3 Years
Beginning Grade Level: 10th
Program Location: Fairmont Heights*, High Point*, Gwynn Park*
*Boundary Students Only
Possible Majors
Environmental Science
Environmental Engineering
Environmental Law and Public Policy
Natural Resources Management
Human Ecology
Agricultural Management
Environmental Urban Planning
Agroecology
Marine Ecology
Possible Careers
Agronomist
Greenhouse Supervisor
Soil Scientist
Environmental Lawyer
Environmental Planner
Forest Ranger
Urban Planner
Food Safety Inspector
Food Product Developer
Agricultural Marketing Representative
Green Schools Program
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.
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.
Rooftop Photovoltaic Power (Solar) Stations on Our Schools
About Rooftop Photovoltaic Power (Solar) Stations
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.
