The Collaborative Environmental Change Series

Sponsored by

The Salem State Collaborative

Location: Lynnfield High School, 275 Essex Street, Lynnfield MA 01940

Dates: 11/5, 12/10, 2/11, 4/29, and 5/20

Time: 4:00-6:00 for first four workshops in series (final workshop at SSC during the day)

PDP’s: To be determined on individual basis – 2 PDP’s per workshop hour plus project time.

Fee: FREE to Members and Non-Members

Description: In an effort to spearhead mass environmental change on the North Shore of Massachusetts, the Salem State Collaborative Project is pleased to present this unique workshop series. The goal of the series is to get schools and communities involved in various projects that will lower our greenhouse gas emissions, save energy and money, and educate people on methods for responsible environmental stewardship. The series will consist of multiple workshops, beginning with a fantastic opening session by representatives of the New Hampshire Carbon Challenge, an organization at the forefront of environmental change in New England. Other workshops and topics in the series are described below. An integral part of this series involves school groups committing to taking measurable steps to reduce CO₂ emissions; the data from all groups will then be presented at the culminating event to be held at Salem State College in the spring where students and teachers will be invited to attend and present their results. Awards will be given to various groups based on their performance during these various projects,

Session 1: The Carbon Challenge 5 November 2008

Come see an eye-opening lecture on climate change in New England by presenters from the New Hampshire Carbon Challenge and learn how to use the New England Carbon Estimator^TM. With this free online tool, attendees can estimate their carbon footprint, commit to making measurable changes to their lifestyles, and at the end of the school year, see what kind of impact their changes have made. This workshop will include an overview of the series as well as time for discussion and brainstorming ideas for school and community projects aimed at reducing our carbon footprint. The average challenge taker has reduced energy consumption by 17% and is saving $850 per year per household. The total of those who have taken the challenge have reduced their CO₂ emissions by well over 3 million pounds annually.

Session 2: The CFL (compact fluorescent light) Challenge 10 December 2008

This workshop will include a discussion on electricity production and a comparison between traditional and CFL bulbs for home use. We will compare bulbs in terms of their energy use, financial cost, and will quell misconceptions regarding mercury contamination from these bulbs. Interested groups will become part of a large-scale drive to change as many bulbs over to CFLs as possible in their community. Prizes will be awarded for the group changing the most bulbs.

Session 3: Recycling: the Next Generation 11 February 2009

This workshop will focus on how to begin and maintain a successful recycling program in your school. We will present data and suggestions from a successful program for paper and plastic recycling. We will also present methods for recycling or redistributing less obvious things like cell phones, ink cartridges, old shoes, prom dresses, wedding dresses, paint, metal, utensils, oil, batteries, eyeglasses, and multiple other items. Data on each category will be collected and prizes will be given to those schools recycling the most in a variety of categories. A day will be set aside for groups to bring any collected materials together so we can get them to the appropriate locations for recycling or distributing.

Session 4: Alternative Energy Projects 29 April 2009

This workshop will focus on alternative energy projects that can be done in your school or community. Individual schools in New England are already using small scale windmill and solar panels for electricity production. Others have incorporated solar hot water heaters and solar air heaters to help reduce oil and propane use. If you have any interest in a project of this nature in your school or home or if you just want to see what other schools are doing, come to this workshop.

Session 5: Key-Note Address and Poster Session at Salem State College 27 May 2009

The final workshop in the series will be held during the day at Salem State College. Student groups with their teachers will hear a key-note address on the environment and will present their projects, data they have collected, and stories of their success. We will present the overall impact to the environment that we as a whole have made and will discuss plans for continuing the series during the 2008-2009 school year.

Registration Information:

Please register at our website www.salemcollaborative.org, or email the following information to Jim Kearns at registration@salemcollaborative.org. If you have registration questions, please either email (preferred) or call Jim at 781-771-4860.

Make checks or Purchase Orders payable to CPMSIE and Bring to the First Session

DEADLINE to sign up is November 3, 2008