An ‘A+ For Energy’ grant funds 8^th Grade green roof study at Dr. Bessie Rhodes Magnet School.

Skokie, IL, 05/21/08 – The teachers at Dr. Bessie Rhodes Magnet School in Skokie, IL were recently awarded a $10,000 grant through the A+ For Energy program.  

The A+ For Energy program was created by BP to support and reward teachers who implement innovative energy activities into their classroom.  The grant is to be used for increasing the understanding and awareness of energy concerns.  

The BRMS team divided the grant into a series of “mini-grants” which were assigned to various student groups to undertake projects that address energy concerns.  Each project will be documented by the students through film and photography, and this footage will become the content of a middle school documentary film, Reel Energy:  Pay it Forward.

One group of 8^th Grade students is using the mini-grant to perform a study on the benefits of green roofs.  For the study, two freestanding structures will be built – one will contain a green roof, and the other a traditional roof.  

“With our demonstration plot, students can actually go out and witness the effects of the green roof first hand,” says Shirri Polaniecki, Technology in the Arts teacher.

GeoEdge^TM, a sustainable, aluminum green roof restraint manufactured by Permaloc, will surround pre-vegetated modules provided by LiveRoof of Spring Lake, MI .  The GeoEdge restraint provides a nice clean edge on the green roof, and a series of drainage holes along the wall allow drainage for storm water runoff.

“Students will be able to research the benefits of a green roof system, particularly water run-off and temperature effects.  This green roof project will have a positive visual and scientific impact on our students as they enter into a society with ever-increasing energy concerns,” notes Mary Beth Koszut, Fine Arts teacher.

Permaloc Corporation donated the GeoEdge material to the school as part of its ongoing Sustainable Design Initiative.  As part of this initiative, Permaloc supports educational organizations from universities to elementary schools, as well as non-profit organizations that are researching green building technologies.

“Permaloc is always striving to raise awareness of sustainable design and green building practices through our research, product development, corporate culture, and partnerships with organizations.  We believe education is one of the keys to building a sustainable future,” states Permaloc Vice President Bob Anderson.

“Green” home showcases the latest innovations in renewable resources and smart energy consumption.

As part of its 75^th Anniversary year, Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry has built a three-story, fully functional modular and sustainable “green” home in its own backyard  The home is designed to showcase ideas and products that allow people to make their lives more eco-friendly in the 21^st century.

Permaloc Corporation, manufacturer of sustainable, aluminum landscape edging products, was responsible for contributing the edge restraint for the driveway and walkways for the Smart Home: Green + Wired exhibit.  Over 1200 linear feet of edging was used to create the driveway and walkways for the home.

The driveway and many walkways were constructed using a permeable paver that allows for water to drain through the material, reducing storm water runoff.  Additional walkways were built using a crushed, decomposed granite that also allows for slow water runoff.   Permaloc’s edge restraint is designed to prevent movement of these materials and sustain the design for the lifetime of the project.

“At Permaloc, we take great care to design products that support the ‘sustainable’ standard the green building industry has established for the 21^st century.  We manufacture quality products that will stand the test of time in a building project, and we make them using recycled content that is 100% recyclable.  Our products were a perfect fit for the Smart Home,” states Bob Anderson, Vice President of Permaloc.

The museum exhibit will offer guests guided tours of the 2,500 square-foot home and grounds, located in a park on the east side of the Museum. Within the home, guests will be able to view the latest innovations in reusable resources, smart energy consumption, and clean, healthy-living environments in a contemporary setting.

The idea for the exhibit came about during a brainstorming session as museum staff members considered an attraction from 75 years ago called “Homes of Tomorrow.”

“We thought how amazing would it be to build a fully functioning home on the museum property that honors the past but is forward-looking with green and smart technologies,” said Anne Rashford, director of temporary exhibits.

The Smart Home requires an additional timed-entry ticket, which is $10 for adults and senior citizens and $5 for children 3 to 11 years old. For more information, go to msichicago.org.

An accompanying 36-page exhibit guide describes all of the products used in the home and why they were chosen. There is also a glossary of green terms and information about the landscaping.