The PEAS
program is part of an environmental grant to develop in our students an
appreciation for the natural world, an awareness of the environmental
issues that face our planet, and the 21st century skills required to
work collaboratively in an increasingly technology-based
globally-diverse atmosphere to create sustainable solutions to the
problems we face.
The third grade Program for Environmental Awareness and Sustainability is geared toward helping our students develop a sense of sustainable land stewardship through an intensive educational exploration of our 60-acre campus. Third graders develop skills as field biologists and study the fundamental concepts of ecology while they identify and map the various habitats, flora, and fauna that surround them. Their work will highlight valuable land resources, wildlife, and attributes of natural history on Montgomery's campus, which will contribute to the development of our Interactive Interpretive Nature Trail. Students will gain an appreciation for nature and learn about sustainable land management practices as they become stewards of the land.
The 5th Grade Program for Environmental Awareness and Sustainability will help our students develop an understanding and appreciation for sustainable watershed management and conservation. Fifth graders will learn about how human activity has affected our waters and develop sustainable practices and solutions that will improve the quality of our streams. This program involves a partnership with the Valley Creek Chapter of Trout Unlimited and will include the raising in our classroom of brook trout (Pennsylvania's state fish.) The trout will be released into Pickering Creek, which flows through Montgomery's campus. Check back often for links to our Trout Blog and Trout Cam.
The 7th Grade Program for Environmental Awareness and Sustainability will help our students develop an understanding and appreciation for sustainable energy resources and conservation. Students will learn about the impacts of human energy consumption, and explore the viability of various sources of energy. This program will include an energy audit of Montgomery School, and of their own homes, that will identify habits and practices that they can change to decrease our energy consumption. Students will also design solutions that minimize our impact on the planet and integrate alternative energy sources.