The Northshore School District’s Secondary Academy for Success (SAS) in Bothell was named one of just four Green Ribbon Schools in Washington State out of 78 nationwide. And officials from the U.S. Department of Education wanted a closer look at the award winner.

Senior Policy Advisor to the Under Secretary of Education, Hal Plotkin and Director of the U.S. Department of Education for Green Ribbon Schools Andrea Falken, along with other state and national officials toured SAS on Sept. 20 to see how the school is innovating in the area of renewable resources and energy.

“It is great to see these kids getting career and tech education in green pathways from motivated leadership,” said Falken. “These are all things that the President and Secretary [of Education] want to see. They are connecting to careers.”

The schools that won the Green Ribbon were selected for exercising a comprehensive approach to creating green environments through reducing environmental impact, promoting health, and ensuring a high-quality environmental and outdoor education. The schools also prepare students with skills and sustainability concepts for green jobs.

The group toured seven Washington state schools to gain ideas for other schools nationwide.

“These schools are a great example of using resources and resourcefulness,” said Plotkin. “They are not looking at what they don’t have. Instead, they are being resourceful with what they do have.”

One thing that made SAS standout for many of the officials was the unorthodox location of building in an industrial park.

“Who looks at an industrial park and thinks ‘school,'” said Plotkin. “It illustrates the critical role that good leadership plays.”

SAS Principal Donna Tyo explained that building the school in the Canyon Park industrial park meant not having to build from scratch.

“It is a fabulous building and the kids take great care of it,” said Tyo.

The building is loaded with many high tech innovations for conserving energy and using renewable resources. One of the reasons is SAS’s partnership with McKinstry, a company that helps businesses and school districts become more sustainable through technology.

An example is a “dashboard” that is on many of the flat-screen monitors around the building that lets staff and students know how much energy is being used.

The guests also received a tour of “The Green Machine,” a mobile green teaching lab created by students. The converted cargo trailer is used by SAS students to go around to Northshore elementary and junior high schools to teach younger kids about renewable resources. It is equipped with various energy generation systems, such as a stationary bike and a solar charging station.

The teachers at the school also talked about its work with the 21 Acres Farm in teaching students about agriculture. SAS even has a small farm on campus.

“It is our .21 Acre Farm,” one instructor joked.

The school visit also included conversations with students and teachers regarding environmental education and health and sustainability.

Some of the students talked about their culminating projects, which are renewable in nature, and recycling initiatives that were started at the school and impact how they recycle at home.

One senior, Kasey Edwish, talked about his culminating project on hydroponics or growing food without dirt.

The Secondary Academy for Success was one of 78 schools nationwide recognized as a Green Ribbon school during a ceremony in Washington D.C. last year.

Falken of the U.S. Department of Education asks questions of SAS students while Plotkin looks on.

Plotkin and Falken, left, check out “The Green Machine.”