Sustainability

As an international educational institution, we are making increased efforts to integrate sustainable thinking and actions into everyday school life.

Promoting sustainability and awareness for our natural environment is part of GISB’s mission. Teachers in all grades integrate environmental science and sustainability topics into their curriculum, which ranges from learning about pollinators in preschool to plastic chemistry and consumption in high school. Other topics include reducing ecological footprints, adapting to climate change, and eco-friendly traveling.

In May 2020, GISB received the 2020 Project Green Schools Green Difference Award, which honors outstanding energy, environmental & STEAM education efforts led in schools and communities.

Earth Day

Earth Day is filled with activities from building bee houses and making seed bombs to designing an Earth Day tote bag. Activities are often planned and organized by high school students for younger students.

In recognition of Earth Day 2022, GISB dedicated a full week to climate change and sustainability. Teachers coordinated projects, experiments, and more to engage students in this critical subject. Learn more.

Zero Waste Day

Zero Waste Day is a student initiative that asks all students and faculty to avoid producing garbage for a day. We produced about 6 ½ lb or 3 kg less garbage on a Zero-Waste-Day than on a regular day. The goal of the initiative is to make students more aware of the general waste and plastic problem.

Plastic Pollution Awareness

Grade 11 students explored plastics and the problems of plastic pollution in an integrated Arts and Chemistry project. In Chemistry, students produced nylon and polyurethane in the lab, and in Visual Art, students explored the problems of plastic pollution.

Drive To Plant More Trees

GISB’s grade 5 students built raised vegetable beds on campus. The vegetables are sold to the community, and the proceeds are used to buy tree seedlings. Planting trees is a simple way to soak up carbon emissions and curb the effects of climate change.⁣

⁣Charles River Clean Up

Environmental protection starts right where you live and learn. Our students regularly venture out to the Charles River to collect trash and clean up the parks and trails along the river.

Environmental-Friendly Purchases

If possible, the school purchases environmentally friendly products. We switched to copy paper, toilet paper, and tissues made out of recycled material and introduced compostable cutlery for events.

For more information, please contact GISB’s sustainability coordinator Rachel Nurnberger.