WMS Students: "energy-efficient homes Are A subtle but impactful way to combat climate change"3/8/2023
 Written by Luna Lu and Sharon Cheng, Grade 8 WMS Students
House Unplugged is a project done annually in all WMS 8th grade science classes. Students like us work in small groups to design a model of an energy-efficient house. In the end, a miniature model is built using household materials like cardboard, felt, plastic containers, and newspaper. Although some information is covered in class, most work is done independently inside the groups. We conducted our own research by making use of online resources and taking detailed notes. The project this year was just a little under four weeks, but in that time, nearly all groups produced satisfactory results. Why are we doing this? House Unplugged is partly an effort to deepen students’ understanding of heat transfer, which we had been studying prior to the project. But mostly, it is an effort to teach students about the importance of sustainability. As many may know, climate change is becoming a more concerning issue every year. The world has warmed as much as 1.8 ˚F in just the last century. Climate change will lead to inhumane temperatures if not acted upon, besides rising sea levels, unpredictable weather, and loss of biodiversity. The most pressing causes that we generally think of are the rapid industrialization of our times, energy use, and transportation. However, home building, one of the biggest contributors to climate change, goes unnoticed by the public. Currently, building houses counts for 40% of global CO2 emissions, and it’s only going up from there. Building materials alone contribute 13% to the roster. Since 1941, about 37.12 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide have been emitted every year, an unhealthy amount if we were to reach net zero emissions by 2050. Subsequently, by using sustainable building materials, we can save up to 4.8 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide, the amount of CO2 that one billion people produce per year. If we can save that much the goal of this project is to build a model of a house that uses those sustainable materials. Our Process Through the HU Project The first step to any sort of project is always research. During this time, we took large amounts of notes to brainstorm the features we wanted to include in our home, such as solar panels, radiant heating, etc. It was during this time that we discovered features like solar trackers, heat pumps, energy recovery ventilators, and many more that we weren’t aware of prior to House Unplugged. After finalizing our features, multiple sketches were made from different perspectives to show the full potential of the house. Since this project is likely students’ first time being introduced to sustainable building, we were lucky enough to have experts in the field come in to discuss our decisions and give feedback on ways to improve. These experts were architects, carpenters, and even teachers who came and spent multiple days with us. Through our conversations, we started thinking about more specific aspects like the material of the walls and what kinds of insulation works best. We looked into different alternatives to the mechanics we wanted to include previously. By talking with an expert, we discovered that, alongside the solar panels which we were planning to install on the roof, we could also include solar trackers/trees, providing us with the most amount of energy possible. Our experts also talked to us about how the different mechanics in our house can work together to be more efficient and effective. For example, one important aspect of an energy-efficient house is for it to be airtight in order to preserve the temperature inside the house. However, if this was to happen, we also had to make sure that fresh air had a chance to enter the house by using an ERV (energy recovery ventilator) that could bring fresh air into the house and remove stale air within the house. The building process of the house was a time-consuming portion of this project taking us about a week to complete. Materials were brought in mostly by the students and only some were provided by the teachers, they varied from cardboard, to plastic containers, straws, and newspapers. Most groups, including our own, started with a shoe box and modified it to our needs. We had the freedom to build however we wanted and had the responsibility of deciding how we were going to incorporate all the aspects of our original plan into our model. We cut out squares in our box to form windows and glued them on newspaper to represent cellulose insulation within our walls. Our model was placed on a flat piece of cardboard and everything was positioned strategically according to our research like placing deciduous trees on the south-facing side of our house to block sunlight. The last aspect of the House Unplugged project was for all the students to summarize all that we learned and present our final design to judges, some of whom were adults from WMS and others who were experts from the community. . Each group worked to put together a slideshow to showcase their understanding of this project. We were asked to explain the different aspects of our models, how they function, and how they benefit an energy-efficient house. Throughout the project, students like us not only developed team working skills but also learned about aspects of energy-efficient homes, a subtle but impactful way to combat climate change. Many students went home to explain the concepts to their family, and it’s safe to say that this project was a great success. We can’t wait to see what students will do with this project next year. Works Cited Architecture 2030. “Why the Building Sector? – Architecture 2030.” Architecture 2030, . Accessed 6 Mar. 2023. Tiseo, Ian. “Annual CO2 Emissions Worldwide 1940-2021.” Statista, 6 Feb. 2023, . Accessed 6 Mar. 2023.  Get ready to participate in walk, bike and roll to school day on Wednesday, Oct. 12. It’s a healthy, safe, and fun way to start the school year. If enough people participate, the event also potentially reduces traffic and emissions in town for the day.
Wellesley’s elementary schools — Bates, Fiske, Hardy, Schofield, Sprague, and Upham — are regular participants in the yearly effort, as are the middle and high schools.  Help Reduce Traffic Congestion and Carbon Emissions, Enjoy Physical and Cognitive
Benefits This week as you plan for back to school and going back into the office, consider changing the way you get where you're going. “We encourage every family with school-age children to try mobility alternatives that will reduce emissions, offer physical and cognitive benefits, and may save money,” said Catherine Mirick, Climate Action Committee and Wellesley School Committee member. With Wellesley Public Schools starting tomorrow, Town and School officials are partnering with Sustainable Wellesley to share this joint message - make a plan to walk, ride a bike or scooter, take a bus, carpool, or commute by subway or train when possible. “Making changes in how we get from here to there will help reduce the nearly 34% of greenhouse gas emissions that come from transportation in Wellesley. To encourage this change, Wellesley’s Sustainable Mobility Plan identifies supportive policies, and infrastructure projects like more sidewalk connectivity, additional bike racks, more road crossing lights, bike lanes, and EV charging stations,” said Select Board member Colette Aufranc. Grab your backpack and try some of these transportation options: Walk. Cycle. Scooter. Join with friends and neighbors to form a walking school bus or scooter group. Adults and guardians in the neighborhood take turns walking students safely to and from school, promoting habits of physical wellness they can carry with them for a lifetime. Get a biking buddy or make a bike train and cycle to school with others. Every school in Wellesley has a bike rack. If you attend Wellesley Middle School, check out the new covered bike racks in the Calvin Road upper lot. Wellesley Public Schools is committed to the Massachusetts Safe Routes to School program to support walkers and bikers. Support this movement and get involved in walking to school activities, setting up walking school buses or identifying a good bike to school route. Reach out to School Committee member Catherine Mirick and Select Board member Colette Aufranc via email at srts@wellesleyma.gov. And mark your calendars for iWalk Day (International Walk, Bike & Roll) to School Day on Wednesday, October 12, 2022! If your bike needs a tune-up, there is a free bike repair station at the Wellesley Police Department and another soon to be provided at the Warren recreation building. “It is fun to ride my bike to and from school each day. I don’t have to wait around for my mom in the carline. I care about the climate, and I like my independence.” said Elena Dudkina, a Wellesley High School student. With a helmet and the use of hand signals, try on-road bike lanes, or the Town trails system for a quieter, more scenic ride. Wellesley is friendly to bicyclists on sidewalks, except in the downtown area. You may even reach your destination faster on your bike than in a car if there is traffic. Did you know that if you have AAA, bike service is included? They’ll pick you up and assist with disabled bikes. Take public transportation: Why fight crosstown traffic in Wellesley when your student can ride the school bus? Seats are still available on some school bus routes. Contact WPS Transportation Director Deane McGoldrick at mcgoldrickd@wellesleyps.org, to see if there is space available for your children. If you are a commuter, try the MBTA Commuter Rail or ride the T. A no-cost option is CatchConnect, an on-demand service from the Metrowest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA) operating between 6:45 a.m. and 6:45 p.m. weekdays. This service is available to all, but unaccompanied youth must be 12 or older to ride. Download the MWRTA CatchConnect app and request a pick-up anywhere in Wellesley, to the Woodland MBTA and to a few locations in bordering towns. Carpool: Save gas and reduce emissions by carpooling to school, activities, and work. Avoid idling: It is against the law in MA and may result in a $100 citation. Consider an electric vehicle: Electric vehicles (EVs) are fun to drive, emit far less pollutants and may help you save thousands of dollars on fuel and maintenance when compared to a gas-powered car. Depending on the make and model purchased, you may be eligible for a federal tax credit and a MA state rebate. For EV advice, and more information about incentives and services, go to the Wellesley Municipal Light Plant Wellesley Drives Electric webpage. Climate Action in Wellesley In April 2021, the Town of Wellesley approved a goal to reduce the town’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to net-zero by 2050, in concert with the state of Massachusetts and the nation’s carbon neutrality goals.  GIVE AND TAKE!
Bring your gently used/loved school supplies in good condition (folders, markers, scissors, plastic binders, sheets, etc.) to the reusables table at the Wellesley Recycling and Disposal Facility ("dump") for the next few weeks. If you need supplies, come get some! The reusables area is open Wednesdays from 7am -11:30am and Thursday- Saturday from 7am- 3pm. It is CLOSED Sunday through Tuesday.  The weather is good, so this is the prime time to try out new mobility options in town. More than 30% of our emissions come from transportation in and around. Like what you say? How about FREE rides around Wellesley and useful neighboring spots on the Catch Connect van service for folks 12 and over. Try taking the train to Natick or Boston; the T to the Red Sox game; walk, scoot, or bike to work, to friend's houses and to do errands this month.
While you are trying new transportation options, try combining your Amazon deliveries (maybe your neighbors too) to 1 x a week to reduce truck deliveries in town. These are all part of Town of Wellesley's Sustainable Mobility Plan which also includes more sidewalk connectivity, new bike racks and bike repair stations, more road crossing lights, bike lanes, and electric vehicle charging stations.  Ask questions to candidates running for town-wide office.
The League of Women Voters of Wellesley will be hosting its Meet the Candidates Night on February 10, 2022 at 7:00 pm. The League is a nonpartisan political organization which does not support or oppose candidates. In sponsoring an unbiased candidate event, the League’s goal is to help voters make informed choices as they cast their votes in the Annual Town Election on March 1st. The event will be live-streamed, broadcast live on Comcast 9/Verizon 39, and will be recorded for later broadcast and for on-demand viewing here You are invited to submit questions for candidates by emailing: lwvwellesley2@gmail.com by 5 pm on February 9. Questions will be screened for lack of bias, relevance, and applicability to all candidates for each office. Similar questions may be consolidated. |
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