'Build It Green' Event Highlights EHC's Sustainability

The Environmental and Heritage Center (EHC) plans to explore STEM (science – technology – engineering – math) with a Build It Green event that highlights the sustainable features of its own building.

Build it Green will take place at the EHC on Monday, Jan. 19, 2015, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Program fees for the event are $5 for ages 13 and older, $3 for ages 3 to 12 and free for children two and younger and EHC members.

The EHC was the first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified building in Gwinnett County. Its green features include one of the largest, sloped vegetated roofs in the country.

Activities for guests at the Build It Green event will include constructing a model building with recycled and edible materials, learning about the relationship between architecture and ecosystems and understanding how green building methods benefit the watershed.

Guests will attempt to design an earthquake proof building and test its resilience on a LEGO EV3 shake board. There will also be opportunities to experiment and build with K’NEX and photovoltaic cells as well as some free building LEGO and K’NEX stations.

As an added bonus to the day, the EHC will offer multiple showings of the recent premier of NatGeo Wild’s “Pond Stars.” The reality television show features details on the design and build of the EHC’s new turtle pond.

“The EHC is excited about its Build It Green event. The event will contain a host of activities connected to science, technology, engineering and math that families can do and enjoy together,” said Jason West, director of programming.

For more information on the Build It Green event and the Environmental and Heritage Center, visit www.gwinnettEHC.org.

(Photo: The Environmental and Heritage Center’s new turtle pond is one of the features it will highlight during its Build It Green event on Jan. 19. Credit: Gwinnett EHC)