May 10, 2010 - Zero Energy Modular Classrooms Making Kids Smarter

A start-up in the bay area, Project FROG, has been building environmentally friendly modular classrooms and buildings and is steadily achieving some incredible numbers.

With a two million dollar budget Project FROG was able to create the Watkinson School, a 3,500 square foot area of classroom space built from 50 percent recycled material. The building is outfitted with 60 solar panels that reduce the electricity costs to zero and in fact produces more energy than the building uses. The modular nature of the design means building times are drastically cut - this specific project took only six months to complete.

Popular search terms: project frog, eco-friendly school, green school, eco school construction, green design for kids, green kids, eco kids

The underlying idea is to treat the building as a teaching tool and not just a building. According to Project FROG's website, the buildings become part of the curriculum itself as the teachers become so inspired by the environment in which they teach. In turn students are taught lessons incorporating sustainability, conservation and environmental awareness.

Schools across the country are now turning to companies such as Project FROG to replace the portable trailers generally provided by the state. And with matching grants being given to schools that do decide to build green the cost-benefit is nearly as great as the environmental one.

There is another benefit associated with Project FROG's buildings that is challenging traditionally built classrooms. According to a study conducted by Heschong Mahone Group, the students in schools that employ environmentally aware practices (those that come standard in Project Frog's modular buildings) consistently score up to 25% higher on standardized tests than those in non-green environments. Clearly these are numbers that not only benefit the up-coming generation of eco-conscious individuals but our planet as well.