On a sunny, windy October day, students from The Doane Stuart School and Rensselaer Junior High School gathered on a rooftop overlooking the Hudson River and downtown Albany. The space, a 22,000 square foot vegetative roof unique to the Capital District, was the site of a collaboration the seeds of which were planted over the summer.
Karen Urbanski, Principal at Rensselaer Jr/Sr High School, and Lisa Brown, Associate Head of School at The Doane Stuart School, talked over the summer about starting a partnership involving Doane Stuart’s green roof. Rensselaer science teacher Adrienne Ladd was interested and brought the 30 students in her 7th Grade Life Sciences class to Doane Stuart to meet with Doane Stuart 7th graders in Rachel Morgan’s science class. Mrs. Morgan’s students discussed the five categories of plants found on the green roof, which comprise over 70 species and 60,000 individual plants!
Students enjoyed the peaceful space, took in the sun, talked about science and even taste-tested some of the chives that are growing on the roof.
Doane Stuart and Rensselaer students partner together in a number of ways – they compete on combined athletic teams, including last year’s record-setting Track and Field team – and the plan is to have more green roof/science collaborations in the future, at all different grade levels. Second year Head of School Pam Clarke has enjoyed the neighborly, community-focused atmosphere; “In my first year here I came to appreciate Rensselaer’s collaborative spirit; I love working with ‘Mayor Dan’ and being a part of this positive community.”
Funded by a $1.4 million grant from the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation, the roof reduces stormwater runoff, improves insulation and decreases energy use and expenses. As such, the green roof is yet another example of Doane Stuart’s commitment to sustainable practices. Language in the grant states that the roof is expected to be a living, learning space that is an enhancement to the City and County of Rensselaer.
For more information, including videos of the construction, visit our Green Roof Page.