Every Day is Earth Day at STA!

April 22, 2024

While people across the globe are celebrating Earth Day, at STA we celebrate Earth Day every day! Learn about efforts by faculty, staff and students to preserve and protect our planet for current and future generations.

Missouri Green Schools Recognition

In 2023, STA became the first Kansas City-area high school to earn Missouri Green Schools (MGS) recognition. The Academy achieved “Sprout” status for its advances in sustainability efforts. STA is one of 18 schools statewide to be recognized by MGS this year, and the only one in the Kansas City area.

Tree Planting

STA joined with Bridging the Gap/Heartland Tree Alliance to plant 17 trees that are friendly to pollinators and birds. Bridging the Gap provided the trees in exchange for a commitment from STA to water the trees for two years to ensure their health as they mature. Students and faculty from AP Environmental Science and Freshman Biology assisted the organization with planting while they learned about tree care.

Green Team and Composting

STA began composting in the school cafeteria and break rooms on March 7 and, as of April 8, we have composted 675 pounds of food waste and organic materials using KC Can Compost as our service provider. In addition, four students led a session on composting at the STA Women’s Symposium held in late March.

Women’s Symposium

On March 22, STA hosted more than 35 women speakers – including many alumnae – at this all-school symposium. The theme, Elevating Women’s Voices to Shape a Sustainable Future, focused on the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The event featured keynote speaker and alumna Dr. Marion (Spencer, ’87) Pierson, co-founder of MoHives KC, who shared how the organization is revolutionizing communities through urban apiaries (bee farms).

Innovative Inventions

Nearly 200 students participated in the Kansas City Invention Convention in April – with numerous groups submitting entries designed to positively impact the environment. These included:

• The Polluted Brick (Future Shaper Award winner), a brick for building and construction that is made of items, primarily clothing, that would ordinarily end up in a landfill.
• EcoMotion (First Place winner among 9-10 grades), a device that harnesses energy when someone is pedaling a bike and turns it into useable energy for charging electronic devices. This team will compete in the Invention Convention U.S. Nationals in Michigan in June

Bird Strike Data Collection

When the STA Facilities Department started noticing dead birds on campus grounds, they spoke with experts from Johnson County Community College and Missouri River Bird Observatory to determine the problem and find a solution.

As a result, STA students, led by faculty members are conducting a year-long study using Survey 123 (a geographic information system (GIS) application) to explore patterns and problem areas. Students take daily walks around campus to check for dead birds and collect data using a form created by an STA faculty member. Peak bird migration is expected to begin around May 12.

In addition, Tessa Poolman from the Missouri River Bird Observatory will present to “Bird Ecology and Conservation” to the campus on April 29.

Environmental Club Activities

Students from the Environmental Club have undertaken multiple activities during the year to advance understanding of and care for our surroundings.

In the Soil Your Undies Challenge, a campaign led by the USDA National Resources Conservation Service, students are testing the health of the soil by burying cotton underwear at three locations on campus. These will be retrieved during the club’s April meeting. The more deteriorated the underwear, the healthier the soil.

In addition, the club has worked closely with the STA Facilities Department to grow native plants from seed for planting in various locations across campus. Club members planted seeds and are caring for the seedlings, which they will eventually plant in STA’s pollinator garden.

Litterati Challenge

Litterati is an app that is used to track litter, which features a challenge called, “Stars Make a Difference.” The goal is to pick up 2,024 pieces of letter – no matter how small – from April 10 to May 10. Those wishing to participate can enter the code 600274 on the app.

Solar Panel Audit

Leadership from the faculty and staff are planning a solar panel audit to ensure they are working property and are exploring opportunities to involve students in data collection.

Storm Drain Marking

STA is working with KC Water to mark storm drains around campus.