Partners in Environmental Education

Hector Ibarra, sixth-grade teacher

West Branch, Iowa

Each year, sixth graders at West Branch Middle School explore how to conserve energy and prevent pollution at the source, in a program developed and supervised by science teacher Hector Ibarra and supported by parents, local businesses, and utility companies. Students have tested energy- and water-efficient devices, built miniature solar cars, and planted trees--and won a number of awards. The community now saves 800,000 gallons of water and 15,068 kilowatts each year.
photo © Brad Sytten

"The success of this program belongs to the students--to their dedication and their commitment to the environment."

Ocean Planet Exhibition Floorplan

gene carl feldman (gene@seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov) (301) 286-9428
Judith Gradwohl, Smithsonian Institution (Curator/Ocean Planet)