School of Environmental Studies Students Take the LEED to v4 Certification

MINNEAPOLIS - March 16, 2015 - PRLog -- High school students at the School of Environmental Studies (SES) in Minnesota are taking the lead on sustainability. A dedicated group of juniors and seniors are showing their concern for the environment by working toward LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Certification of their facility with the U. S. Green Building Council, Minnesota Chapter (USGBC-MN). Their goal is to obtain certification of the building under the LEED EB: O+M for Schools v4 rating system, which would also make it the first student-led LEED certified project under LEED v4. The certification process at the school is projected to take two years – achieving certification as this year’s juniors reach graduation. The project is also serving as a national LEED Lab Pilot, which will help drive appropriate curriculum for K-12 students relating to LEED Certification, environmental education, and experiential learning.

The School of Environmental Studies (SES) is an optional public high school located in Apple Valley, Minn., on the grounds of the Minnesota Zoo. It is a part of Independent School District 196, and the school also accepts open enrollment from the greater Twin Cities area for students in their final two years of high school. The magnet school embraces a project-based learning model where students participate in defining their leaning objectives. The mission of the school is to be a community of leaders learning to enhance the relationship between humans and their environment. The students are living out the schools’ mission by embarking on this opportunity.

The SES students needed professional assistance to move forward with their ambitious goal, so they contacted Sheri Brezinka, Executive Director of USGBC-MN. USGBC-MN is excited to support the students’ efforts and partnered with volunteer LEED Accredited Professionals (LEED AP) from Sebesta, a national engineering firm headquartered in Minneapolis, whose staff has extensive experience in obtaining LEED certifications for their clients. “Sebesta’s expertise in LEED facilitation has been critical to this project moving forward,” Brezinka says. Other community partners have followed Sebesta’s lead and signed on to support the students’ and USGBC-MN’s efforts with donated time, expertise, and/or finances, including: Trane, Wold Architects and Engineers, Dakota Electric, Noble Conservation Solutions, and Greengrade (a LEED certification software program) have joined in the effort.

The high school students are leading the process throughout the two-year effort. They encouraged participation from peers and faculty, resulting in a dedicated course for this pursuit. The current students are proactively planning for how they will hand off the project to younger students, since certification will be a multi-year effort. Students will participate in fundraising efforts for any additional costs associated with the project, submitting final documentation for LEED certification, and presenting their work before others, including educational conferences, their school board, and the USGBC-MN.

A kick-off team meeting was held in October. “What an honor to work with bright, engaged students who are ready to change their world,” says Corinne Wichser, LEED AP BD+C, O+M, a sustainability specialist with Sebesta.

Sebesta is assisting with the certification process, but Wichser emphasizes that “the students will run the project and we will simply facilitate and give them advice.” Wichser cautions that “there is no guarantee” that the school will receive certification. Success will be dependent on the quality of the students’ efforts.

Companies and individuals wishing to participate can contact Steph Leonard, sleonard@usgbcmn.org.

About SES

Opened in 1994 as a unique partnership between Independent School District 196, the City of Apple Valley, and the State of Minnesota (Minnesota Zoo), SES is a response to the well-documented need to create smaller, more effective learning communities while providing authentic learning experiences. To this end SES immerses its students in the study of environmental topics and issues, working with and often alongside professionals in the field. Students graduate from SES knowing how to learn as well as what to learn, and are well prepared for a lifetime of participation and education.

Media Contact:

Steph Leonard, Community Engagement Manager

612.695.3451

sleonard@usgbcmn.org