Schools

Whiz Kid of the Week: Hope Brooks

This high school senior is bringing lessons of sustainability to the area's youngest students.

Hope Brooks has always had a passion for all things green. Her mission in life is to promote the idea of sustainability, and this spring, she has taken that message to young people who, she believes, can really make a difference.

Brooks is pursuing her Gold Scout Gold Award with Troop 1207, and through a grant from Unity Gardens has developed and implemented an environmental awareness after school enrichment class for students at Arnold Elementary School and titled it “Maryland Coastal Region Native Garden and After School Class – Go Green!”

The class, made up of about a dozen students, meets on Tuesday afternoons and has researched, designed, and planted a native garden on the grounds of the school. The group also received support from the school's PTA as well as Realms Landscaping.

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“We have learned a lot,” said Kaitlyn Biery, one of the participating elementary students. “We know how important native plants are to the animals who live here.”

 “I really wanted to educate the next generation of environmentalists, teaching children about native plants and their impact upon the Bay ecosystem and their relationship to the conservation of natural resources,” said Hope.

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The effort supports and enhances Arnold’s designation as a Green School by the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education.

Hope has been accepted into the Penn State University – University Park environmental studies program, where she hopes to continue her passion for sustainable living.

“My goal is for the Environment Club at Broadneck High as well as volunteers to take this class curriculum and continue these efforts,” said Brooks. “It would be great to have this being taught in every elementary school in the Broadneck area. Kids need to know they can make a difference.”


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