Hubble students learn valuable ecological lessons

Thanks to her preparation for Hubble Middle School’s Eco Fair, 12-year-old Emily Bradley no longer thinks worms are slimy, disgusting creatures.

Well, they’re still slimy.

But after learning and explaining the benefits of composting with worms, or vermicomposting, she said she appreciates their contributions more than she used to.

“I used to think they were gross,” she said. “But now I think they are good because they help the environment.”

Environmentalism was on students’ minds at the Warrenville school Thursday as they conducted their first eco fair and were praised by school district brass and local government officials alike.

In a classroom next to Emily’s, students showed visitors coin purses and shopping bags made of recycled items, such as used juice pouches.

One group used 164 recycled aluminum cans to spell the word “Recycle.” Still another created “Recycle Rick,” a “robot” made of recycled aluminum, cardboard and other materials, that stood watch in the school’s commons area for weeks with an environmental message on it. The group members said it served as a reminder to students that they should recycle.

“There are a lot of different ways to make the world a better place,” said eighth-grader Brian Doriott, 14. “Conserving energy and reusing things are two of them.”

With dignitaries such as Wheaton Mayor Mike Gresk and Warrenville Mayor David Brummel on hand, the students waited at their projects in several classrooms throughout the eco-friendly building, which has earned several top environmental honors since it opened in 2009.

“It’s so remarkable to see the kids on the cutting edge of some good things,” Brummel said. “The green movement is one of the most important things to happen during our time. To see them embrace it, it’s just inspiring.”

For the past several months, students have taken 40 minutes every Friday to work on projects focusing on environmental topics they chose. The 10 hours of environmental education was a key factor in earning the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification, one of the green building industry’s top honors.

Aside from awards and certificates, however, students like eighth-grader Colleen McDonough, 14, who attended sixth grade at the old Hubble site in downtown Wheaton, say the abundance of natural light in the new building adds to their educational experience.

“It’s better here; I love it so much more here,” she said. “The natural light makes it a much better place to learn. We definitely have more of a chance to concentrate.”

Colleen was part of the group that created Eco Art, such as the “Recycle” sculpture.

But what about Emily’s worm project? Emily said the most useful ones will improve water capacity in soil and because they ingest food scraps and egg shells, they help reduce harmful bacteria and reduce the amount of waste going into a landfill.

Not a bad lesson from a girl who just a few months ago never thought twice about the small, wriggly critters.