The Jewish Day School

The Jewish Day School of Metropolitan Seattle (JDS) is pleased to announce it has a received a grant which, through our science department, is funding a 6th grade environmental action project.  Students initiated a project to create and market their own non-toxic spray cleaner and the mini-grant from the Hazards on the Homefront program of the King County Solid Waste Division is helping purchase materials for their safe cleaning products.

The project was inspired by a science unit during which students learned about the effects of common household products on the environment particularly how spray cleaners can harm our waterways and living creatures in the ecosystem.

“Because we focus on both inquiry learning and taking action here at JDS, I encouraged the class to brainstorm on how they could take the lesson further,” explains science faculty Lisette Trombley.  “They decided that they would experiment with different recipes for a non-toxic spray cleaner and when the recipe is perfected, they will package it in spray bottles, create custom labels, and advertise their product.”

The students have designed print advertisements, a commercial and recently presented their cleaning formula to the JDS community, allowing parents to test its effectiveness and take home a sample.

“This is a great example of the type of learning that takes place in JDS classrooms,” noted JDS Head of School Maria Erlitz. “Our students are empowered to go beyond an initial lesson and ask big questions and work together to find solutions to problems.”

It was students in the class that initiated this project who have been leaders in the school’s green team, Team Yerukim, which is led by the Assistant Head of School Rabbi Stuart Light. “How powerful it must be to understand the study of science not as a goal in itself, but as a provider of the tools necessary to solve the world most pressing problems,” Rabbi Light said. “These sixth graders have been walking around JDS for years with the knowledge that tikkun and environmental responsibility are an essential part of their Jewish worldview. As they embark on their Middle School journey , they are learning how to sequester and manipulate their secular knowledge so that it allows for the greatest fulfillment of these Jewish ideals.”

The Jewish Day School is committed to environmental responsibility and the Jewish concept of Tikkun Olam (repair the world).  JDS has been recognized as a Level 2 King County Green School for successfully increasing recycling on campus and reducing energy usage. For more information about The Jewish Day School, visit www.jds.org.

See the students pitching their product at:  http://youtu.be/pN9GeN8yecM