Students at Mt. Lebanon High School actively participate in clubs like the Upcycling Club and Environmental Club, promoting eco-consciousness and sustainable practices.
Students and educators in Mt. Lebanon are actively engaging with environmental initiatives, reflecting a commitment to fostering sustainable practices and eco-consciousness among the youth. Various clubs and programs at Mt. Lebanon High School highlight these efforts, ranging from newer initiatives like the Upcycling Club to longstanding organizations such as the Environmental Club, all with the aim of enhancing ecological awareness among students.
The Upcycling Club, founded in 2022 by students Kate Yang, Addison Evan, and Violet Slagle, represents a unique approach to sustainability by focusing on upcycling—transforming discarded materials into new products of higher value. Yang noted, “The high school has an environmental club already, and all of these environmental initiatives, but not that many people know about this idea of upcycling.” As of the 2024-25 school year, the club has grown to over 70 members, emphasizing creativity and environmental stewardship.
During their monthly meetings, students collaborate on projects such as creating bird feeders from single-use plastic bottles and making name pennants from T-shirt scraps. Evan mentioned, “We were practicing upcycling, but it was actually practical,” further demonstrating how these projects combine utility with sustainability. As the founding members prepare to graduate, they express the desire to pass the club’s responsibilities to dedicated underclassmen to ensure its continuation.
Meanwhile, the Environmental Club has a longer history within the school, meeting twice a month and focusing on various initiatives, including recycling campaigns, maintaining campus gardens, and teaching sustainability principles to younger students. Despite challenges in participation due to competing commitments, club advisor Rob Bergstresser emphasized the passion of the students involved, saying, “The kids really want to do a lot.”
Courses like the Advanced Placement Environmental Geoscience (APEGS) provide a structured approach to environmental education, requiring all students to take an environmental science course during their junior year. As explained by APEGS teacher Michael Gullo, this shift in curriculum was aimed at increasing students’ exposure to crucial environmental topics. The course includes a four-month lifestyle change project, allowing students to tackle an environmentally unfriendly habit and assess the impact of their improvements.
Yousuf Khan-Afridi, a recent recipient of the Danielle Duncan Green Award for his exemplary project, collected over 1,175 pounds of coffee grounds for composting. He elaborated on his initiative: “Yousuf really stepped out of the comfort zone… He had to do so much extra work, and I think that’s really the reason why his peers voted him the award winner for this year,” said Gullo. This award honors the memory of Danielle Duncan, a former student known for her passion for environmentalism.
The program also incorporates hands-on activities, such as energy audits on local homes and participation in community events like clean-ups in Bird Park. This practical application of environmental science reinforces the lessons learned in the classroom. “We all come together to talk about something that is going on in our day-to-day life, like climate change,” reflected Khan-Afridi on the experience.
The commitment to sustainability evident in Mt. Lebanon’s educational practices illustrates how students are being equipped with the knowledge and tools to engage actively in environmental issues. Whether through clubs or classes, their efforts demonstrate a collective drive toward fostering a greener future.
Source: Noah Wire Services
