Green Kids USA

Toyota continues to add to their Prius line of hybrid cars . . . this time with the Prius C.

A new, smaller Prius hybrid will be available this spring with the highest fuel economy of any hybrid that’s not able to be plugged-in to recharge.

Estimates have the Prius C getting up to 53 mpg (miles per gallon).

Teachers/Parents – Applications for Education:

After watching the video and looking through the Prius C website, students could compare and contrast the different Prius vehicles, and even journal about which version they’d prefer to have.  Class discussion on these journals would be interesting.

Additionally, they could create questions they’d ask the Prius developers about the car and the future of hybrids.  I’d even consider having my students brainstorm what a Prius might look like in ten/twenty/thirty years.

On May 4, 2007, a monster tornado tore through the rural town of Greensburg, Kansas, killing 11 people and leaving little more than empty slabs and stacks of debris.

Thankfully, Greensburg didn’t give up.  They have rebuilt their wonderful town, and it’s stronger, bigger, better, and greener.  It’s truly an inspirational story that your students and kids would love and learn from.

Here’s a video, pictures, and a free worksheet that tell Greensburg’s story.

Additionally, here’s an updated Green Town Guide for the city.  It’s in an easy-to-read E-book with tons of real-world examples of green, Earth-friendly projects.

Teachers, after reading, there are many ways to use this E-book in your class.  Here’s a few additional ideas:

• Creating a scavenger hunt to use with it (or even better, let the kids create the town scavenger hunt!)
• Creating a “green plan” for your town using some Greensburg’s innovative projects
• Creating an interactive poster (like a Glogster) that summarizes Greensburg’s rebuilding
• Writing a letter to the mayor of Greensburg with questions about his town.  The class can then discuss some of the questions asked and even brainstorm possible answers.  To add more 21st century skills to this activity, consider using Skype and video chatting with someone from Greensburg.

Ultimately, the possibilities are endless.  I hope you enjoy using this inspiring story with your kids as much as I have.

Hybrid cars are becoming more and more commonplace on our roads.  I’m sure some of your families, friends, teachers, and neighbors drive a hybrid.  This is progress!

The next step for some car companies is to create a plug-in hybrid.   These are similar to a regular hybrid vehicle, as both use gasoline and electricity to power the motor.   However, a plug-in hybrid uses a large battery pack system that can be recharged.  Plug-in hybrids can be driven for long distances (up to 40 miles!) without using any gasoline at all.

Let’s learn more by watching some interesting videos on the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid.

Teachers and parents, after watching the videos, your students/kids could have a discussion on what they learned, complete a graphic organizer (like a K-W-L), create questions they would ask Toyota, etc.

Looking for a simple chart that details ways kids can help save energy?  The U.S. Energy Department has a kid-friendly energy chart that highlights ways we can use electricity wisely.

Teachers and parents, you might consider having kids pick a few ideas and research them more.  They could create a presentation or a skit on their selected areas.  It could be videotaped, put in a podcast, presented in front of the class or other kids, etc.  The possibilities are endless!

Kids like videos.  However, nobody likes a boring video . . . even kids.  So let’s give them some interesting stuff to watch!

Here’s a great YouTube video playlist that features over twenty informative and interesting alternative energy videos.  You’ll find videos on Nuclear energy, Wind energy, Solar energy, Hydro electric power, etc.  Some are animations, some are short documentaries, all are fun!

Going to a camp is a great way for kids to have fun during the summer.  I made many good friends and loved my experiences at camp when I was a kid, and I think I really would have enjoyed an Eco Summer Camp.

There are many different types of environmentally-centered camps.  You could consider:

• Wildlife/Nature Preserve camps focus on exploring and appreciating the natural world.  The Green River Preserve in North Carolina is a perfect example.
• Eco-Educational camps will give you hands-on learning on topics ranging from solar power to organic gardening.  The EcoCamps in Georgia seem extremely engaging.
• Organic Gardening is another popular topic at camps, including at the beautiful Gwynn Valley mountain camp.

Ultimately, many summer camps follow eco-friendly principles, and provide kids with an excellent way to learn how to better take care of our planet and have fun at the same time.  Consider giving one a try!

The disaster in Japan has led to a more critical look at nuclear power and the risks involved.

Teachers, here’s a great chance to have your students debate through discussion the positives and negatives of nuclear energy.  Your students could also write essays arguing for or against the building of future nuclear plants.

To help, here’s three articles from NPR that can be read and/or listened to (my students love the audio versions) and used for the discussions:

• How Safe is Safe Enough?
• Cleaning Up to the Core
• Japan Backs Off Future Plants

The Bright Ideas Lighting Competition is your chance to showcase a creative idea on energy-efficient lighting.  Sponsored by Philips and Inhabitat, the challenge is to design a lamp that showcases the potential of low-energy LED bulbs.

The grand prize is $1000, and many other prizes will be awarded.  Good luck!

Came across this listing of cell phone ratings the other day.  The phones are rated on health, social attributes, and the environment.

Done by the Good Guide, the highest rated cell phones have energy efficient chargers and are made of environmentally-preferable materials. They are made by companies that are implementing green production practices and takeback recycling programs and taking steps to ensure their supply chains treat workers fairly and avoid conflict minerals. The lowest rated cell phones have no ascertainable environmental features and are made by companies that are not focused on reducing their environmental and social impacts.

Teachers, you could have your students look through the list and see how their phones or their families’ phones were rated.  Were they surprised?  Why or why not?

Additionally, you could have them write about which phone they would like and how environmental rations would impact their decision.

The following recycling games would work great with elementary and middle school students:

• Recycling Roundup
• Where Does It Go