08/05/2026
Before grade 4 students began designing their own sustainable schools, they took a closer look at the one where they learn every day.
As part of their “If I Built a Sustainable School” project, students began with a sustainability tour of Graded’s campus, exploring real examples of how schools can reduce waste and water use, conserve energy, and help communities make environmentally responsible choices.
They learned about Graded’s solar panel-powered and rainwater collection kiosks, electric car charging stations, specialty recycling collections, and composting bins (which can process 16,000 kg of organic waste per year!).
Students then walked to the Athletics Center to see rainwater stored in the basement for flushing toilets and climbed to the roof to view two solar heating systems—one for the swimming pool and another for the locker room showers.
Using the Engineering Design Process (Ask, Explore, Model, Evaluate, and Explain), students developed and refined their ideas. They brainstormed, tested solutions, and created models using recycled materials that demonstrated creative ways schools could conserve energy, reduce waste, or generate clean power.
Finally, the fourth graders reflected on their learning by writing opinion pieces explaining why their sustainable schools should be built. To close out the unit, families were invited to a Learning Celebration where students presented their models, shared the surprises and challenges they encountered during the learning process, and explained how their understanding of sustainability evolved.
