VIDEO: Amerman Students Aim to Make Green School Greener

is already regarded , an Evergreen School actually, for its eco-friendly efforts.

Now the school can add another accolade under its green belt. The school's third grade class has been named a Michigan runner-up in Disney's Planet Challenge (DPC).

"DPC is a unique chance for teachers to blend standards-based content, critical thinking skills, and environmental principles in a class project that moves students from awareness to action for a positive impact on their community," according to the program's website. It also "builds on sound scientific understanding, and integrates English/language arts, and mathematics, while providing opportunities to incorporate technology and the visual and performing arts."

Teacher Khris Nedam and her class have researached, designed and created a portfolio to design a green roof. Last year, Amerman had a class that won the grant to install solar panels at the school.

As part of their project, the students wrote: "We are learning about alternative energy and how it can be used. We are doing this project because we want to make Amerman more green. We decided to work on a green roof for the gym. This will help keep the gym cooler, will be beneficial for the environment, and will reduce the amount of storm water we have since the plants and soil will absorb the rain water. We are learning what kind of plants would go on a green roof like sedum. We are also composting in the cafeteria everyday because when kids eat they would have fruits and veggies and sometimes they would put them in the composting bin. The composting is a result of our green roof project."