Green Roofs for Schools

This photo is just one example of the many green rooftops in Iowa on top of public buildings. Green roofs are planted with a vegetative layer, growing medium, and a waterproofing membrane. They are utilized to reduce heat island effect, air temperatures and stormwater runoff as well as to provide a more aesthetic environment and habitat for small local wildlife.

Image

Cedar Falls

Iowa Core Standard

HS-ESS3-4

Evaluate or refine a technological solution that reduces impacts of human activities on natural systems

Driving Question

How can green roofs reduce human impacts on natural systems?

Probing Questions

What effect do green roofs have on stormwater runoff, heat island effect and air pollution?
What are the tradeoffs and constraints using green roofs versus more traditional roofing methods?

Classroom Suggestions

Students could:

Evaluate repairing a school roof with traditional materials versus a rooftop garden using a cost/tradeoff graphic organizer.
Develop 3D models of a building with a traditional roof and a green roof and investigate how each handles increased temperatures and stormwater runoff.
Make claims, and provide evidence and reasoning about what types of plants should be used on a particular building in their community.
Create a PSA about the use of green roofs in their community.

Resources

Iowa State University | Green Roof - A Thing of the Future... and the Present: Iowa State Agriculture and Life Science Colleges article about green roofs on campus.
Teach Engineering | Rooftop Gardens: Lesson plan for students to model a rooftop garden and test for ambient and inside building temperatures.
National Parks Service | Green Roofs on Historic Buildings Basic information, benefits, and case studies about green roofs on historic buildings.

Contributors

Submitted by Michelle Seddon.