Grantee Research Project Results

Regenerative Site Learning Laboratory: A Site Intervention for Sustainability Education

EPA Grant Number: SU834763
Title: Regenerative Site Learning Laboratory: A Site Intervention for Sustainability Education
Investigators: Fryer, Robert
Current Investigators: Fryer, Robert , Frost, Kevin
Institution: Philadelphia University
EPA Project Officer: Page, Angela
Phase: I
Project Period: August 15, 2010 through August 14, 2011
Project Amount: $9,642
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet (2010) RFA Text |  Recipients Lists
Research Category: Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , P3 Challenge Area - Sustainable and Healthy Communities , P3 Challenge Area - Safe and Sustainable Water Resources , P3 Awards , Sustainable and Healthy Communities

Objective:

The typical suburban high school campus, with its acres of athletic fields, roofs and impervious ground cover can have significant negative impact on the local watershed. In response, this project will design a zero-impact laboratory building and alternative stormwater management strategy for a local public high school. Concurrently, curriculum will be developed addressing regenerative and sustainable design, site hydrology, storm water management, wetland habitats, and the effects of the built environment upon the natural environment. Together, the building, site design, and curriculum will serve as a learning platform – facilitating education for ecological sustainability and regeneration.

Approach:

This project calls for collaboration between an interdisciplinary project team, professional educators (partner team), and other stakeholders. Project “touchstones” will be identified based on educational, technical and design objectives and as informed by onsite realities. The building and site design will develop in response to the project touchstones and a comprehensive site analysis. Curriculum design conducted by the partner team is anticipated to be reflective of the collaborative process.

Expected Results:

The project will indicate strategies that can be used to mitigate the negative impact of an existing developed site on a watershed and natural habitats. Additionally, the project design will inspire interest in ecological sustainability in an educational context. The project will serve as a case study—demonstrating that building and site design has both environmental and educative value.

Supplemental Keywords:

Life cycle analysis, treatment technologies, emission control technologies, land use, sustainable infrastructure design, biofiltration technology, resource recovery, sustainable urban planning, environmental planning, conservation, design for the environment, recycling, holistic design, sustainability monitoring, model for sustainability, sustainable urban redevelopment, education for sustainability;

Progress and Final Reports:

Final Report