Sustainability

AP Environmental Science focuses on the interconnectedness of living things and the Earth. Students are introduced to the concepts of ecosystems, natural cycles, resource allocation and usage, and human impact on natural systems. These concepts are explored through case studies, laboratory investigations, fieldwork, and projects. 

AP Biology discusses environmental issues during the Ecology and Evolution units. This content includes the causes of environmental issues and the impact of environmental changes on the evolution of species.

In Chemistry, a culminating project in the course's unit on acids, bases, and solutions connects these concepts to real-world environmental issues. In prior years, students have created presentations and informational pamphlets on topics such as the greenhouse effect, global warming, acid deposition, ocean acidification, and impact of climate change on weather and water systems. Recently, students engaged in a town hall-style debate, deliberating whether an Appalachian town should modernize its coal-burning power plant or invest in constructing a new nuclear facility.

In Honors Chemistry, students apply their understanding of reaction stoichiometry to environmental issues by calculating and comparing the annual carbon dioxide emissions from gas-powered versus electric vehicles. These calculations are personalized to reflect different families' driving habits and consider a variety of electricity sources, including coal, natural gas, and solar energy.

One of the six guiding questions of the Engineering Design curriculum asks "How can engineers design to help society live more sustainably?" As students explore the role of environmental engineers, they examine how various aspects of modern society impact the environment and evaluate technologies that aim to counteract climate change. In a case study, student design teams propose how city planners and engineers can collaborate to promote environmental sustainability, focusing on the strategic planning and design of a greenway to improve a town's ecological health and quality of life.

Students in the Independent Research Program are invited to create an Independent Research project on a topic of their choice alongside the guidance of an experienced science faculty member. The best project moves on to the regional competition. Recent examples of environmentally-focused projects include:

• Abigail Goodman ‘25 - Increasing short-term potable water accessibility through reclaimed air moisture
• Matilde Melodia ‘27 - How to make a sustainable home affordable?
• Gabriella Hernandez ‘24 - The Effect of Household Fertilizers and Compost on Algal Production and Dissolved Oxygen Levels in Stagnant Waters

For each core country studied in AP Comparative Government, relevant environmental issues are discussed in order to accurately compare current events, internal politics, and international relations between countries.

In AP Spanish, students explore the environment through examining critical global challenges such as climate change, pollution, and sustainability, while gaining insights into culturally-specific solutions in Spanish-speaking countries. Students discuss a range of topics from deforestation in Colombia to Costa Rica's renowned conservation and biodiversity efforts to successful, indigenous sustainability electrical energy practices in countries like Peru, Bolivia, and Paraguay. This analysis helps students compare environmental perspectives, foster cultural understanding, and enhance their communication skills in Spanish. 

In AP and Advanced French classes, students explore key environmental themes through authentic Francophone texts, videos, and discussions. Topics include climate change, sustainable development, pollution, deforestation, GMOs, pesticides, and human impact on biodiversity. Debates and project-based learning help students reflect on ecological responsibility while building fluency and intercultural awareness.

Grade 11 Religion focuses on Catholic Social Teaching, including one of CST’s core principles: care for the earth. Students also learn about the encyclical Laudato Si about faith based commitment to overcoming the social consequences of climate change and threats to biodiversity.

Our Performing Arts Program is modeled around environmental sustainability; we use our own costume stock for over 50% of all performance endeavors. This includes Upper School Vespers, the Upper School Fall Musical, Upper School Festival of the Arts, and small scale productions. We also use nearly all reused materials for our set design for all musicals. 

The Grade 9 English poetry project is an opportunity for student-driven study. Multiple kids every year choose topics associated with environmentalism. The top projects every year are presented to a larger community audience.

The Grade 10 English curriculum includes a deep study of Transcendentalism, a movement rooted in the connectedness between the human and natural worlds. This movement, alongside the Romantic movement of the early 1800s, represents a response to practices of reckless industrialization and commercialism.

The AP Literature and Composition Dystopian unit looks at tensions between reckless industrialization and environmental sustainability. Students compose Goal III-driven dystopian stories, many of which focus on environmental impacts from human enterprises.

In a cross-curricular unit on the environment, Grade 5 Science and Grade 5 Religion examine St. Francis and Pope Francis' focus on caring for the planet.

In the Grade 7 Science ecology unit, lessons on the importance of bees and a project on Rachel Carson's role in banning DDT are a foundational part of the curriculum.

Grade 7 Science and Grade 8 Science culminate in the annual Science Fair: a research project and presentation where groups can pick a topic of their choice. Projects are judged, the best projects are awarded, and the top two projects move on to the state level. Recent award-winning projects with an environmental focus include:

• Madison Li ‘29 and Evelin Teamey ‘29 - Catch the Waste, Keep it Safe!
• Isabelle DeLeo ‘29, Emmeline Jabro ‘29, and Ruari Montague ‘29 - Sunscreen Pollution is No Solution
• Rebecca Chen ’28 and Caroline Hoenscheid ’28 - Stay Clean, Keep it Green

In Grade 7 History, units include discussions of ecotourism and an extensive unit on Land Use Conflict in the Amazon Rainforest.

In a cross-curricular unit on the environment, Grade 5 Science and Grade 5 Religion examine St. Francis and Pope Francis' focus on caring for the planet.

Grade 6 Religion introduces students to the origins and interpretation of the Old Testament. The central focus for the year is the relationship between God, people, and creation.

Grade 8 Religion focuses heavily on Catholic Social Teaching, specifically "Care for God's Creation;" discussions of pollution and other current justice issues that affect people, animals, and natural habitats.

Students in Grade 6 English write speeches on a topic of their choice; many focus on issues of environmental justice. The top projects every year are presented to a larger community audience.

Our Performing Arts Program is modeled around environmental sustainability; we use our own costume stock for over 50% of all performance endeavors. This includes Middle School Vespers, the Middle School Winter Musical, Middle School Celebration of the Arts, and small scale productions. We also use nearly all reused materials for our set design for all musicals.

Hope for Humanity is an annual live art exhibition for students and teachers in the Middle School to observe. Students in Grade 8 create group dances that highlight topics that echo current universal calls for hope, and each year features several dances that focus on sustainability and environmental issues.

The Grade 8 Capstone program is a year-long independent study project undertaken solely by a student with mentorship from a faculty member. Students propose and plan a personal project that displays their personal interest in a topic, a mastery of Middle School curriculum, and an understanding of the Goals of Sacred Heart schools. Recent Capstone projects with an environmental focus include:

EcoWrap: A Sustainable Alternative 
Aaira Dutt '29 chose to explore sustainable, eco-friendly alternatives to single-use plastic wrap. Her goal is to create a reusable, functional, and environmentally friendly replacement that helps reduce plastic pollution. Through research and experimentation, she investigated a variety of materials to determine which options offer the best balance of durability, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability. Her final product is a prototype of a reusable wrap made from sustainable materials. This project is inspired by her passion for protecting the environment and my belief that we must treat it with respect and care. 

Powering the Future: Evaluating the Most Eco-Friendly and Effective Energy
Izzy Lichtenstein '29 focused on how sustainable energy can positively impact the Earth’s wellbeing and environment. She wanted to raise awareness about sustainable energy sources among her middle school peers. To do this, Izzy designed a game, and wrote a research paper. She believes this work will contribute to a more sustainable and conscious approach to energy use, benefiting both people and wildlife. It will also help people grow their understanding on how they get their energy, and hopefully be more conscious of it.