C3 Club at Drummond School
Goals of the C3 Student Clubs program include:
- To make a measurable environmental impact on the school and surrounding community.
- To give students an understanding of how their actions relate to the bigger environmental picture.
- To support and foster student and teacher environmental leaders.
New Clubs
Each first year C3 Student Club conducts audits of their school, investigating how their school can conserve energy and water and increase efforts to reduce, reuse, and recycle waste. The clubs then implement three projects over the course of the year – one each for land, air/energy, and water issues – chosen from a menu of potential projects. In addition to providing guidelines for carrying out the audits and projects, C3 staff provide project materials and direct teachers to resources that provide the background and context for club efforts.
For example, C3 Student Clubs might sponsor a “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – Re-think!” competition to encourage teachers and students to recycle, create a “What Are You Waiting For?” campaign to encourage bus drivers and parents to reduce vehicle idling, and/or a “Save the Source” campaign to encourage behavioral and institutional changes that will aid in water conservation at their school.
In the 2009-10 school year, 19 schools participated in the New Clubs program.
C3 Club Network
After completing their first year in the C3 Student Clubs Program, Clubs can join the C3 Club Network. Network Clubs are presented with several options for how they might move forward in their conservation action through C3.
- Teachers can participate in four planning, troubleshooting, and networking workshops throughout the year, each of which can provide professional development credits.
- C3 has 17 partner organizations, many of which offer opportunities for C3 Clubs. C3 staff works hard to direct Clubs to these resources.
- In the 2010-2011 school year, Clubs will have the opportunity to assist with weatherization education and installation in their communities. Materials and stipends will be provided through the Department of Environment’s Low-Cost Weatherization and Education Program.
- Club Network Clubs are eligible to apply for C3 Club Action Project grants. These grants include teacher stipends, project guides, and project supplies. Grants will be provided in the 2010-2011 school year supporting year-long projects with a climate change focus.
In the 2009-2010 school year, more than 60 Clubs participated in the Club Network.
To lead a C3 Student Club in 2011-2012 (our 2010-2011 program is full), you must be a Chicago Public School teacher (8th – 12th grades) and attend an orientation on either April 12, 13, or 14, 2011. Three 2011 – 2012 workshops will be held on Tuesday evenings at the Chicago Center for Green Technology, 445 N. Sacramento Blvd, Chicago, IL 60612.
Peruse the C3 Student Club Project Guides here.