Environmental Education x Design

  On July 8th and 9th, 2014 the Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards of the US Environmental Protection Agency at Research Triangle Park, NC held a two-day Air Quality Workshop for Educators. Being a newly enrolled participant of the NC Environmental Education Certification Program (NCEECP), I registered and attended this event, which was a great experience.

  The days were filled with plenty of presentations, tours, and group activities.

  This was my first time on the EPA's RTP Campus, so I was very excited being there.  I met many teachers that traveled from near and far, as well as got the chance to network with fellow NCEECP members. We had the pleasure of eating in the Lakeside Cafe for lunch, riding the shuttle between sites, touring the LEED-NC Silver National Computer Center and several other areas of the sustainable campus. Throughout the workshop, we were given many resources to assist with teaching our various audiences about Air Quality and overall environmental issues. As if that isn't exciting enough, we also calculated our individual and household carbon footprints, participated in many hands-on activities, and even built DIY Sensors with the same kits used in the Village Green Program! Building those sensors was my favorite activity and I look forward to incorporating similar devices in an art project in the near future.

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View of South Durham from the courthouse's seventh floor

  Continuing the LEED Certified Building theme, I also visited the LEED Gold Courthouse in downtown Durham. Well, my visit was mostly forced since I received a summons in the mail for jury service, but that did not stop me from marveling at the building's "Green Facts" posted all around, sustainable designs, including green roofing and views of town from several stories up. My first jury duty experience wasn't as dreadful as people make it seem and I give a lot of credit to being able to explore such a beautifully designed building. As always, thanks for visiting and please find some photos of the courthouse in the gallery below! Au revoir!