s Boston’s first green museum, Boston Children’s Museum encourages families to learn about the environment and what they can do to protect it. The Museum uses its building and educational programs to teach environmentally responsible choices and to help every kid become a Green Kid.
The building’s green features include three green roofs; a storm water reclamation system; recycled, local, and low-emitting building materials; and low-flow toilets. The Museum has been recognized for its commitment to the environment with a variety of honors, including being named LEED® Gold certified by the U.S. Green Building Council. However, some of our best reviews come from the kids themselves, who love to visit the second fl oor where they can see the plants growing on the roof – and the birds having a snack!
Another way that Boston Children’s Museum is helping children become Green Kids is by offering a multitude of interactive green public programs. In FY 2009, the Museum offered three Green Fairs, each focused on a particular way that children and families can practice environmental stewardship at home. At the Green Fair-Transportation in July 2008, visitors learned about environmentally friendly modes of transportation. In September 2008, the Green Fair- The 3 Rs focused on the different ways that families can incorporate the concepts of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle into their daily lives. The Green Fair- Energy in November 2008 introduced visitors to energy-saving devices they can use at home.
Monthly green programs connected with science and culture:
- The Worminator activities explored the big bad world of worms;
- Tu B’Shevat festivities celebrated the Jewish New Year of Trees;
- Farm Fridays featured local harvest bounty;
- Kitchen Science and Critter Day focused on environmental issues;
- The annual Earth Day celebration, including musical performances and arts activities.
Through green programs and the green building, Boston
Children’s Museum is committed to preserving clean and healthy environments for all families and for children to learn to be Green Kids, active environmental stewards.
“National Grid is committed to being an innovative leader in energy management and to safeguarding our global environment for future generations. We are mindful of our effect on the environment and the communities we serve and we proactively seek out opportunities to improve the environment.
With this in mind, National Grid provided Boston Children’s Museum with a grant to launch Our Green Trail, an energy effi ciency education program designed to teach children and their families how to mitigate the effects of climate change and take positive steps towards environmental-minded lives.”
—Marcy L. Reed, National Grid senior vice president of Public Affairs.
