The Power for Good class is investigating how to make learning more sustainable. Pencils, for example, despite being made from recyclable material, are difficult to recycle due to wood treatment and painting.

Power for Good Class Focuses Efforts on Sustainable Learning

5/1/2020

Students in the Upper School’s Power for Good class, an interdisciplinary offering new this school year, haven’t let remote learning slow their progress in investigating options for more environmentally sustainable learning at Masters.

Their work includes research on reducing the amount of single-use plastics in the community and assessing the environmental impact of school supplies.

On Tuesday, April 21, the group met virtually with Heather Itzla and Nicole Kozlowski, the co-founders of Wisdom Supply Co., which offers plastic-free and zero-waste products for schools, offices and homes. Itzla and Kozlowski shared the challenges and triumphs they encountered in their mission to provide students, teachers and schools with more sustainable school supplies.

Shortly after their conversation with Itzla and Kozlowski, the class met with Masters teachers who had reviewed the class’ sustainable learning plan, which considers issues such as sustainable school supplies, the culture around back-to-school shopping, and reduction of paper use. The teachers provided feedback and asked questions about the plan — guidance that will help inform students’ thinking as they continue their effort to make a positive impact on the Masters community.