Growing Up Green 2013
Distributed by The Video Project, PO Box 411376, San Francisco, CA 94141-1376; 800-475-2638
Produced by Bob Gliner
Directed by Bob Gliner
DVD, color, 28 min.
K-General Adult
Education, Environmental Studies, Science, Teacher Training, Urban Studies, Biology
Date Entered: 07/25/2014
Reviewed by Kristan Majors Chilcoat, Woodruff Library, Emory UniversityGrowing Up Green is an inspirational documentary about children and their teachers improving their communities while having fun learning math, science, and so much more. This short documentary should be of interest and an inspiration to teachers, scientists, Citizen Science programs, community leaders, and students of all ages.
The film travels around Michigan interviewing teachers, students, administrators, scientists, and government officials about the award-winning Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative. The initiative advocates place-based and active learning programs. All of the examples of student assignments are applicable for other states and schools including urban and rural settings. The numerous projects shared and educational standards met are extensive. Elementary, middle, and high school examples are discussed including community gardening in an urban elementary school, creating a submersible robot to locate invasive species in the lake, and developing job skills by improving energy efficiency in homes. This engaging and powerful film packed full of real world examples has a place in all public schools, public libraries, and university libraries.