Mother Nature, carbon, methane, and polar bears… oh my! Students at Theodore Roosevelt School were in for a treat as teachers kicked off the third annual Cool the Earth special assembly geared to teach children about climate change.
‘Cool the Earth’ is an innovative, nationwide program that motivates kids and their families to take actions to reduce their carbon footprint. Through these actions, learning occurs. Plus, the actions all add up to a large reduction of carbon emissions for the entire community. OB-EN is part of an elite group of 170 elementary and middle schools that have run the program. Cool the Earth has kept more than 100 million pounds of carbon from being emitted into the atmosphere.
Regina D’Orio, science and technology teacher, introduced the assembly program and invited the “special guests” to come join the students. Out came Roosevelt Librarian Roseann Davidson as Mama Polar Bear; Principal Gina Faust, as Koda the Polar Bear Cub; Penny Koinis as the Earth and D’Orio, as Mother Nature. Mr. Bob Stern entertained, as always, as the sneaky villain, Mr. Carbon. Mr. Carbon was joined by his evil brother Mr. Methane played with aplomb by Peter Rufa.
The assembly opened as Mama and Koda Polar Bear are swimming trying to find their icy home, but realize that their habitat is melting. They ask Earth for help only to find that she is covered in blankets and too warm to make more ice for them.
It gets worse when Mr. Carbon pops out and tells the students that the United States is responsible for over 25% of all carbon emissions in the world creating carbon every time they burn coal or gas. Mother Nature finally calms everyone down by telling them about ways that humans can help to stop creating carbon.
The polar bears embark on a hunt to find Earth saving ways enlisting the help of teachers in the audience. The students learn that they can each go home and help save the polar bear and cool the earth.
The assembly was fabulous with beautifully designed background scenery by Stephanie Miley and a fun soundtrack played by Michele Taube. The students were so engaged laughing with delight, booing Mr. Carbon and Mr. Methane while cheering for the polar bears, Mother Earth and Mother Nature.
“Students are learning responsibility, citizenship and caring for our earth by doing simple things like turning off the water when they brush their teeth.” says. D’Orio. “They are learning that they really can make a difference!”
To learn more about the program or take action yourself, please visit the website www.cooltheearth.org.
