CEPM Partners with LeMoyne Center for Unique K-12 Program

The Center for Energy Policy and Management (CEPM) at Washington & Jefferson College partnered with the LeMoyne Center in Washington, Pa., to provide free workshops for K-12 students focused on green building, design, and urban planning. The workshops were made possible by generous support from the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation.

CEPM and LeMoyne staff members held a series of five workshops. During each workshop, approximately 20 students worked to design and build a modern city using Legos. Students constructed streets, businesses, homes, and parks as part of their designs. In addition, they learned about the renewable forms of energy that could be used to power cities.

Throughout the process, the students were exposed to principles of green design and city planning. As they designed their city, the students completed a series of short readings to learn more about key concepts, such as walkability and mixed-use development. They were then able to apply what they had learned in their projects.

“With the support of the Foundation, we were able to partner with the LeMoyne Center to provide students with a hands-on experience that introduced important concepts and showcased students’ problem-solving skills and creativity,” said CEPM Director Corey Young.

Despite growth in the fields of green building and design, few opportunities exist for K-12 students to explore these topics. Unfortunately, this lack of opportunities for K-12 students to explore green building and design may hinder their ability to understand the importance of sustainable practices and the potential impact they can have on the environment. This program sought to fill that gap.

The Center hopes to continue the program next summer, and if possible, over the course of the regular school year.