Greenhouse effect

NEA Today, Nov 1996

or science teacher Christopher Albert, it wasn't enough that the new site for his middle school in Pennsylvania's Perkiomen Valley will include a historic farm and pasture as part of the deal.

Albert, who's earning a master's degree in environmental education, saw the 4.5 acre wetlands on the farm and spearheaded a plan to convert it into an Environmental Education Center.

"The kids and I cleaned up the wetlands area and worked on the dilapidated buildings," says Albert, who teaches at the current Perkiomen Valley Middle School. When the district ran out ol money for the center, Albert coordi nated a t-shirt sale with the school council and his class and raised $2,000.

High school and elementary students are collaborating to build a butterfly garden. Plans are in the works for a nature trail. And students will help refurbish the greenhouse so it can be used for class rooms.

But Albert sets his sights on more than academics, saying, "I'd like this center to be a place where teachers can just take their kids out and read in the fresh air."