Planting Native Trees
In 2016, the Poly Environmental Club planted native trees across campus. These trees served not only aesthetic purposes, but to provide homes for birds, to contribute to improving air quality, conserving water, and reducing pollution.
JROTC Canoe and Scoop
Poly cadets are dedicated to making a difference. On October 4, 2017 and October 30, 2019 over 40 cadets spent a combined 86 hours cleaning up the shorelines of Middle Branch Park in support of Baltimore City’s Canoe and Scoop Program. Cadets paired up in canoes or set out individually in kayaks to learn more about local waterways and collect as much trash as possible. In less than 4 hours, cadets collected over 65 bags of garbage including plastic and glass bottles, Styrofoam and food wrappers. An old tire, backpack and plastic chair were also “fished out” of the water.
Air Quality Test
In 2017, the Poly Environmental Club conducted research on the air quality of the school. Students used air quality detectors in order to assess the impacts of cars idling before and after school, finding that levels of pollution in Poly parking lots, as well as at drop-off and pick-up zones, were too high to be healthy for students and staff.
Class of 2020 Agents of Change Pollution Prevention Activities
The class of 2020 was inspired by their Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience unit in Honors Biology II at the beginning of the school year. Several student groups self-designed projects where they purposefully reduced the amount of pollutants to enter the Jones Falls which would eventually lead to the Chesapeake Bay. Students groups were responsible for raising their own funds and carrying out their projects throughout the school year on a weekly basis. Activities involved storm drain gutter cleans and picking up trash around the school grounds.