Countering Climate Change with Environmental Literacy through the Arts
Through education, we empower both current and future generations with the tools to address adverse environmental conditions and work to ensure everyone’s well-being. Our goal is to bring Passive House and other environmental sustainability ideas into mainstream consciousness so that we can all make the biggest impact in the shortest amount of time and bring about change that is everlasting and transgenerational.
With the strong belief that teaching our children is among the best ways to lay the groundwork for a sustainable future change, we reached out and formed continuing partnerships with several NYC public grade-level and high schools, teaching Passive House concepts, live in classrooms, as well as remotely during the early 2020 pandemic shutdown. Shown here are students’ creative explorations of the Passive House principles.
Click the logo for our full initiative on Passive House Education Arts!
Remote Collaborations
Boys & Girls HS Collaboration I
We collaborated with the students of Boys & Girls HS to create unique interpretations of the principles of Passive House. This video features architecture teacher, Gillian Beckford, Jahi and Mikelena (2021).
Boys & Girls HS Collaboration II
We collaborated with the students of Boys & Girls HS to create unique interpretations of the principles of Passive House. This video features assistant principal, Dawn Story-Rogers, Jairo, Kayla, Antuawn and Madori (2021).
PS10 Passive House Explorations
A group of 5th grade children from PS10 Public Elementary School co-creating with their teachers through a music and song performance about the Passive House principles.
PS10 Passive House Explorations
A group of children from PS10 Public Elementary School, grades Kindergarten to 5th Grade, exploring the 5 Passive House principles by creating individual projects using drawing, dance, model making, and more.
Stuyvesant HS Passive House Dance
An abstract dance interpretation of the 5 Passive House principles put together by Stuyvesant Public HS students. This project was midway transformed from a planned in person performance to finding a way to move forward remotely in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
PS10 Collaboration I
We collaborated with the students of PS10 to create unique interpretations of the principles of Passive House. This video features Laura Scott (principal), Scott Magliano (teacher) and students Sherell, Arjun, and Taylor (2021).
PS10 Collaboration II
We collaborated with the students of PS10 to create unique interpretations of the principles of Passive House. This video features Benton Collins (parent volunteer), Jonathan Colon (teacher) and students Willow, Hugo, and Simone (2021).
PS10 Collaboration III
We collaborated with the students of PS10 to create unique interpretations of the principles of Passive House. This video features Dr. Gary Wong (assistant principal), Jane Cyphers (teacher) and students Lev, Maiya, and Oliver (2021).
Passive House for Everyone!
Video explaining ChoShields’ mission and process of bringing Passive House knowledge into mainstream consciousness to empower all communities with the tools to improve their lives through the built environment.
In-Person Collaborations
Stuyvesant HS Passive House Dance
In-progress photos prior to the pandemic.
Several of the above video projects began prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, where we gave live class instructions and in person student gatherings for live performance planning as shown in the images below. When the pandemic took hold, everyone faced challenges on how they could move forward in response to this crisis. With the resiliency of NYC public school children, teachers and their strong families and communities, together, we persevered to find creative solutions in exploring Passive House principles remotely as shown in the videos above.
Healthy living through Passive House
As part of high school health class curriculum, ChoShields, as guest speakers, illustrated to students how Passive House principles contribute to not only energy efficiency in buildings but also to providing healthier and more comfortable living environments, thus improving their overall quality of life.
Student observing an experiment of steel and wood in ice water that demonstrates heat flow in materials with different thermal properties. Essential concept needed to address Thermal Bridging.
Support from Pilobolus Dance Theatre
Image: Pilobolus
"Pilobolus is a rebellious dance company. Since 1971, Pilobolus has tested the limits of human physicality to explore the beauty and the power of connected bodies. We continue to bring this tradition to global audiences through our post-disciplinary collaborations with some of the greatest influencers, thinkers, and creators in the world. Now, in our digitally driven and increasingly mediated landscape, we also reach beyond performance to teach people how to connect through designed live experiences. We bring our decades of expertise telling stories with the human form to show diverse communities, brands, and organizations how to maximize group creativity, solve problems, create surprise, and generate joy through the power of nonverbal communication.
ChoShields is excited to have the support of Pilobolus to help advise on their Passive House Dance Project in the near future….