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By Rick Crosslin, School Liaison for Science Learning and Host/Executive Producer of Indiana Expeditions, WFYI PBS
The museum has been working on several new sustainability projects in the last year. We established an Advisory Group for Sustainability made up of several leaders from right here in Indiana and across the United States. From Endangered Species chocolates to Bright Idea electric vehicles, the museum is striving to be more sustainable.
Lugar Children’s Museum School Energy Summit
We recently partnered with Senator Richard G. Lugar to host the first annual Lugar Children’s Museum School Energy Summit sponsored by Duke-Energy. This was a first of its kind energy summit for Indiana elementary and middle school students. Several area schools sent a team of students to learn how energy is generated, how they can conserve energy at home and at school, and how to develop a project to reduce the environmental footprint of schools. Students will return to the museum this spring to showcase their projects.
Schaefer Rooftop Garden
On your next visit to the museum take a few minutes to admire the new Schaefer Rooftop Garden that can be seen through the Sunburst window. This rooftop area is filled with plants that are colorful and provide habitat for small insects and birds. It also helps lower our urban building heat island effect and it reduces storm water runoff.
Rain Garden
The museum also has an amazing new Rain Garden. The rain that collects on top of the new Welcome Center is redirected away from street sewers and into the Rain Garden. The water is collected in a special garden area where it is slowly absorbed back into the soil. This helps replenish the underground water table (aquifer). Water is put back into the water cycle, and there is less that goes into our sewer system.
Keep your eyes open next time you visit—you might be surprised by all the small things that are being done to make our museum more sustainable. There are several new Rain Barrels around the campus for “grey” watering, and new changes in lighting, water use, and energy use are helping the museum conserve resources. Going green means finding smart ways to conserve energy and maintain our valuable resources.
The Rain Garden and the Schaefer Rooftop Garden will be showcased in Green Science, Indiana Expeditions. Another fun show to check out is the WFYI PBS children’s science show which will air November 9 at 7:30PM.
