Documentary Production and Distribution News

Documentary 'Growing Greener Schools' Offers Hope and Inspiration

By Staff
posted Apr 16, 2010, 16:01

Broad Overview Offers Hope & Inspiration

(Santa Monica, CA) An ambitious documentary, "Growing Greener Schools," shows that across the country a bold new movement has taken hold that promises a bright future for our children and a strong role for the U.S. in the green economic revolution. That's the focus of this first comprehensive look at the national green schools movement to be aired on PBS World, at 7 PM, Sunday, April 25 (EST, 4 PM PST). The product of over two years of filming, veteran filmmakers Dale Bell and Harry Wiland, co-founders of the Media & Policy Center in Santa Monica, take viewers on an extensive, exciting and inspiring trip across America to showcase a broad spectrum of schools, community organizations and academic, engineering and architectural innovators who are leading the way in greening our schools.

"Growing Greener Schools" shows how interweaving all aspects of the environment throughout the curriculum energizes and actively engages students and faculty. The program also shows that outside the classroom, from the landscaping around the schools to the food in the cafeteria, students in green schools are immersed in a form of learning that has transformed their lives.

The documentary (http://www.growinggreenerschools.org/) explores academic outcomes and shows that, particularly for inner city schools, self-esteem, learning and test scores dramatically improve. Something as seemingly simple as exposure to natural light in a classroom throughout the day elevates test scores. Cafeteria food dedicated to a greener menu is healthier for the children and serves as a learning tool showing the farm-to-table process.

The program is derived from a longer DVD developed by the Center for PBS Distribution and was funded by a grant from Siemens, a global leader in green technologies and sustainable infrastructure. It includes a down-loadable 175 page Handbook, instructional, interactive games and a Curriculum Guide for teachers and community activists.

 

Resources:

www.growinggreenerschools.org
www.mediapolicycenter.org