Broadneck's Environmental Club Wants School Roof to go Green

Students at Broadneck High School are working toward installation of a "green roof" for the school.

Green rooftops, long popular in Europe, have been growing in popularity worldwide in recent years. Anne Arundel Community College's new Truxal Library has its own green roof.

What is a green roof? It's an environmentally friendly alternative to concrete or other impervious surface. It treats rainwater naturally, allowing fauna to grow within a controlled area. It also insulates a building better than traditional means.

Broadneck High School's Environmental Club is seeking approval to install their own take on a green roof. But before that can happen, they need to acquire the help of a qualified engineer. 

In his March newsletter, BHS Principal David Smith issued a request for any volunteers in the area who are interested in helping.

"Perhaps a member of our community could volunteer his/her services to do so," Smith said.

The listed requirements for the position are:

"Must be a Maryland licensed Professional Engineer with structural background in order to perform forensic testing and analysis of existing precast concrete hollow core roof planks to determine the safe loading capacity for the proposed additional surcharge of both dead and live loads. The Engineer shall certify that the existing roof and associated components, including beams, walls, columns and  foundations can support the added green roof and people and provide to AACPS all supporting documentation."

Anyone interested in helping can contact Nancy Bourgeois at BHS by email at nbourgeois@aacps.org.