Community POWER @
Laura Jeffrey Academy
2013 - 2014 Mini-Grantee
LJA’s Community POWER Objectives
LJA scholars will bring environmental awareness to their community.
LJA scholars will be advocates for change
within their homes, school, and community
by engaging in authentic, creative, and innovative activities.
Goal #1 - Waste Reduction in the Lunchroom
Goal #2 - An increase in the recycling of materials
by repurposing the materials
“Green” Chili Cook Off
Goal #1 - Waste Reduction in the Lunchroom
LJA community participated in the 2nd annual “Green” Chili Cook-Off which focused on
food waste reduction and community building.
Outcomes - with an increase in participation (from 239 people to 337 people) LJA
decreased the Event Waste of 75 lbs in 2012-2013 to 43 lbs in 2013 – 2014.
Of the 43 lbs of waste – 9 lbs were from compostable utensils, bowls, napkins
23 lbs were from organics food waste.
11 lbs were from “others”
33% of the participants brought their own bowl
26% bought an LJA scholar made ceramic bowl
Fix-It Clinic
Goal #2 - An increase in the recycling of materials
by repurposing the materials
LJA community participated in the first Fix-It Clinic hosted by LJA in conjuction with
Macalaster Groveland Community Council.
The number of LJA participants at the Fix-It Clinic exceeded our goal. Scholars had set
a goal for 12% of LJA families to attend but 17% of the families were in actual
attended the event.
Student Showcase and STEAM Expo
Goal #2 - An increase in the recycling of materials
by repurposing the materials
A sample of the
TinkerToys
created.
Students shared their
learnings through a
variety of summative
projects at the annual Showcase.
Showcasing TinkerToy’s, Rube
Goldberg Machines, and
Sustainable Green Architecture
Exploring a variety of EcoFriendly insulations.
Extracurricular Community Activity:
Bicycle Powered Float
Goal #2 - An increase in the recycling of materials
by repurposing the materials
Students shared their learnings with the LJA
community at the end of year STEAM expo by
unveiling the recycled bike powered float. A
total of 67 lbs were recycled in the building of
the bike and float.
Extracurricular AfterSchool Classes
In the Nude App
Scholars engaged in creating an app that
addresses the importance product toxicity. LJA
scholars created the app In the Nude which
evaluates product toxicity and MN waterways
Community Powers Effectiveness
@ Laura Jeffrey Academy
Families who were survey Pre and Post as
provided by Community POWER Grant showed
an increase in recycling efforts, reducing food
waste, and attempting to reuse household
items. This was all made possible because of
their scholars continually advocating for
behavior change within the home.
LJA’s next steps and future responsibilities
Curriculum created will be embedded into the overall curriculum throughout
LJA’s two year loop.
LJA is advocating to host a yearly Fix-It Clinic.
Every month LJA scholars will be writing “Green” Tips and publishing within the
newsletter. The newsletter is sent out to LJA families and community
supporters.
LJA will continue to present at WaterFest and promote environmental
stewardship through their display table.
Community POWER Highlights
The scholars excelled at taking the theory and ideas behind
behavior change and put them into action. The creation of
toys made from recycled materials, engagement in
environmental stewardship, and the building of the recycled
Bicycle powered float speaks the work LJA scholars have
taken away from the opportunity to work with Community
POWER. LJA scholars are truly empowered to fight for
their environment in a variety of ways.