Spreading the Word on Clean Energy

This past weekend, the UVI Green Technology Center and Department of Education hosted the first of two Energy Fairs this month on the UVI Campus. VIMSIA was well represented on many fronts, with Mr. Bornn and Lindsay Barr, Senior PGIA Student, staffing a booth that highlighted the sustainability efforts that have been developed on VIMSIA’s campus over the past 15 years.

PGIA Senior Lindsay Barr with Michael and David Bornn at the UVI Energy Fair.

“Helping at the fair and teaching other people actually taught me more about VIMSIA than I had ever known before,” says Lindsay. “There are so many things going on beneath the surface of our school that I haven’t even thought about.”

View our sustainability presentation below:

UVI Energy Fair October 2022 - VIMSIA Presentation

The event was organized by Ms. Ariel Stolz, Research Scientist at UVI Caribbean Green Technology Center. Ariel is a VIMSIA alumna from the Class of 2013, and in just the second class of IB graduates from VIMSIA—she’s truly one of our pioneer students for the IB program!

Ariel went on to Brown University for her Engineering degree, and then Carnegie Mellon University for her Masters in Energy Science Technology and Policy. We couldn’t be more proud of her. Shout-out to women in science! Go Ariel!

The next Energy Fair will be held on October 30th.

Beach Clean Up Takes Away Over 100 Pounds of Trash from Vessup.

On Friday, October 1st, PGIA students taking Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Systems & Societies went to Vessup for a beach clean-up along with their teachers, Ms. Kessler, Mr. Huston, and Mr. Pozen, during the second half the of the day.

The 47 students did an excellent job collaborating and powering through the heat of the day. They ended up picking up 122.12 pounds of trash and collected data about the types of marine debris that they will share with UVI. UVI will then use this information to support its goals of creating new legislation/mending current legislation to support our ocean's marine ecosystems.

UVI Coastweeks Researchers Come to VIMSIA

Coastweeks is a nationwide effort coordinated by The Ocean Conservancy. Last Thursday two UVI Researchers visited with grade 7 students in the PGIA and Upper Elementary Montessori students to discuss marine debris as part of the Ocean Conservancy's Coast Weeks program.

Their talks prepared grade 7 for an upcoming a beach cleanup. The presenters also spoke to the Upper Elementary about ocean debris, island hot spots for garbage and how students can get involved in ocean clean-ups.

Leading The Way With Environmental Sustainability

This week Virgin Islands Montessori School and Peter Gruber International Academy (VIMSIA) welcomed Changing Tides Foundation volunteer Sarah Brady, who was led on a campus tour by seniors Candice LaPlace, T'Leah Serieux, VerNele Callwood and Nalani Figueroa to better understand VIMSIA’s environmentally sustainable initiatives. Brady was shown why our school is considered a leader in renewable energy and shown the usage of solar panels, pit drains to catch water, retention ponds, gardening efforts, recycling systems and much more!

Originally from California, Sarah –a junior at UC Santa Cruz majoring in Cognitive Science- decided to take a quarter off to assist with relief efforts by volunteering with Changing Tides Foundation. Being that a mutual interest in renewable energy and building sustainable infrastructure existed, a partnership between Changing Tides Foundation and VIMSIA was a no-brainer.

Having learned that PGIA students often sell water bottles from coolers as a way to fundraise, the foundation generously donated four SoulR Cart solar powered coolers. In celebration of this donation, head of school Michael Bornn organized an ice-cream party for the entire school to educate students on solar energy. Students enjoyed a tasty treat chilled by the sun!