New Program Gives Lemont Kids Inside Look at Clean Energy Solutions

A new nonprofit program will give seventh-and eighth-grade students in Lemont’s public and private schools the opportunity to learn about sustainable energy sources from some of the area’s leading authorities in their fields.

At a special kick-off event next month, Project Infinite Green will launch an after-school pilot program at Lemont High School that will give fifteen students the opportunity to participate in field studies, research projects and think tanks related to environmental sustainability.

The program was initiated by Lemont resident Catherine Greenspon, who has recruited a long list of sponsors that includes the U.S. Department of Energy, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, Sen. Christine Radogno  (R-Lemont), Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs), , Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and , which donated $10,000 toward the development of the curriculum.

“Project Infinite Green grew out of my concern as a mother about our children’s education and their exposure to science, engineering and math — and the lack of a link between those learning principles and our environment,” Greenspon said.

The program’s one-to two-hour sessions will be led by Lemont High School Science Chair Tim Leffler and Environmental Science teacher Zach Huber.

“I like that it’s an after-school program and that it engages younger students to think about a future career in science,” Leffler said. “There are a lot of things going on environmentally that we feel need to be addressed.”

In addition to sparking the students’ interest in science and environmental initiatives, Leffler also hopes the program will help the high school develop good relationships with younger students in Lemont and as well as the overall community. 

Any seventh-or eighth-grade student who attends school or resides in Lemont was eligible to apply. The only requirement was an interest in science and green technology.

“Kids sometimes get the impression that science is not fun,” Huber said. “Our program will be very interactive to show the kids that science is more than a lab coat and a pocket protector.”

Lessons will be a mix of field trips, guest speakers, classroom discussions and hands-on activities. Planned trips include tours of a hydroelectric plant and a waste management facility.

“We want to help kids connect their iPods, cell phones and computers to their energy sources and help them see what are the ramifications of energy use,” Greenspon said.

The program will run from Oct. 4 through April 22. At the end of the program, the participants will be mentored by a community leader to develop a green business plan for an energy-related product or process.

“We have experts coming in who are in the trenches,” Leffler said. “So hopefully the students will take away an idea of what it means to be a responsible steward of the environment.”

Greenspon hopes to be able to expand the program to other grade levels in the coming years, and to inspire other communities to create similar initiatives.

“Our curriculum is available to anyone who wants it,” she said. “Any community that wants to implement it can view our curriculum and start looking for mentors.”

The public is invited to learn more about Project Infinite Green prior to the first session Oct. 4. A press event will be held at 3:10 p.m. at Lemont High School, 800 Porter St.

For more information, visit www.projectinfinitegreen.org, or follow the organization on Facebook or Twitter.