At Glen Urquhart School, sustainability is a core value—woven into our curriculum and community.

As we move into spring, we're excited to share a range of student projects, community partnerships, and upcoming events that reflect our commitment to stewarding the world around us.

Curriculum Highlights

Students at every grade level participate in hands-on, meaningful projects that deepen their understanding of environmental issues and inspire them to view themselves as problem-solvers capable of making a tangible impact. Some recent examples include:

In kindergarten, students explored the fashion industry through the lens of sustainability. After learning about the environmental impact of ‘fast fashion’ versus eco-friendly practices, they studied the work of eco-fashion designers and applied their knowledge of color and pattern to create their own sustainable fashion pieces. Their creations were proudly showcased at a Fashion Show during All School Meeting.
Second graders took a deep dive into the science of climate change. They explored what climate is, how greenhouse gases work, and conducted temperature experiments inside and outside the GUS greenhouse to observe the effects firsthand. Back in the classroom, as part of their theme work, they read the book ‘Old Enough to Save the Planet,’ and came up with action plans for the GUS community.
Third graders have been focusing on energy—learning about different sources, both renewable and nonrenewable, and will continue to evaluate their various impacts on the environment.
Fifth graders have been partnering with Essex County Greenbelt to address the threat of black swallowwort, an invasive plant that endangers monarch butterflies. They are creating educational signage for campus and growing native milkweed in the school greenhouse, which will later be transplanted at the Cox Reservation in Essex to support pollinator habitats.
Sixth graders are taking on a Solar Power Design Challenge. After studying how solar energy is used on the GUS campus, they are designing and building their own solar-powered devices to tackle real-world problems—merging sustainability with innovation.
Four eighth graders, along with Science Teacher Amanda Pastel, represented GUS at the 2025 Youth Empowerment & Sustainability Summit (YESS), a global climate leadership event aimed at empowering young people to drive change in their lives and communities through climate resilience.

Across all grades, students are getting outdoors, observing nature, and connecting with the environment in ways that are both educational and deeply personal. These experiences not only enrich their learning but also help them understand why protecting our planet truly matters.