Today, the U.S. Department of Education awarded the National Green Ribbon Award to Detroit Edison PSA (DEPSA). This award recognizes the tireless work the school has done to maximize its green foot print and prepare its students to compete in the Green Economy.
DEPSA has been investing in green science education for a long time. It was the vision and actions of Mr. Ralph Bland (Superintendent), Mr. Paul Szymanski (Elementary Academy Principal), and Ms. Nancy Garvin (Director of Community Partnerships) that got things off the ground. In 2004 the school partnered with Ecotek Lab to expose students to project based research in marine conservation (Gulf of Mexico) and global warming (Cape Town, South Africa). Since that time, the students have participated in a number of unique experiences ranging from making biofuel to growing stem cells to designing hydroponic systems.
DEPSA students are inquisitive, hard working and ambitious. They are regularly invited to speak at STEM conferences. In February 2012, a group of DEPSA students traveled with the Ecotek Lab program to Denver, Colorado to participate in the National Green School Conference. While there, they presented their work on biofuel, biopolymers and biotechnology. They also visited with researchers at the National Renewable Energy Lab in Golden, Colorado. With all the discouraging news we often get, it is nice to know that there are schools like DEPSA that are making a difference in the lives of our youth.
Please take time to share this wonderful story with those on your e-mail list. For more details on the National Green Ribbon Program announcement and the Ecotek-DEPSA partnership please click links below.
Source: Ecotek
