The Environmental Impact Club is based entirely upon student initiatives. Our committees are run according to student ideas and new committees are always encouraged.
Past Accomplishments:
2022-2023
American Meteorological Society: Members petitioned for a local chapter with AMS that presents in the society's annual meetings, invites experts to talk at TJ, and gets involved in research projects with local professors.
Earth Day: Invited a guest speaker from the NOAA to talk to TJ students about climate change and his work.
2021-2022
Cafeteria Compost: Members of the Compost Committee worked with school administration to place a compost bin for cafeteria users to deposit leftover fruits and vegetables at lunch.
Native Gardening: Club members worked on planing native plant species on school grounds to grow into a garden for all to enjoy.
Envirothon: The Envirothon Team qualified for the state competition and won 1st place in the Wildlife category and took 4th place overall.
2016-2017
One-Up, One-Down: Members of EIC persuaded staff members to follow this lighting policy in their classroom to cut down on unnecessary electricity usage by leaving both sets of classroom lights on at all times. Education: Ran three programs at Weyanoke ES throughout the year (Endangered Species, Bees Bees Bees, and a planting activity).
2015-2016
Remineralization Committee: Launched a new committee to promote advocacy and research of remineralization to support a healthy, sustainable future of our planet. Please visit our Remineralization Committee webpage for more information.
White House Back to School Climate Event: Two members attended the event held by the White House to enhance climate literacy with the latest science and technology information related to climate change. A former member spoke in a student panel at the event.
Goldman Environmental Prize Ceremony: Attended this inspiring ceremony and spoke with the motivational 2016 prize recipients.
2014-2015
Polar Bear Plunge: Fundraised over $1000 with the Chesapeake Climate Action Network
Continuation of Power Down Day
Three Birds Foundation: Continued work on solar panel awareness. Launched a crowdfunding campaign with a video.
EPA: Three members testified at a hearing for stricter smog standards.
Northern Virginia Sustainability Festival: Held an exhibit and promoted climate awareness.
Envirothon: Placed second in the local competition and advanced to place third in the regional competition.
EV Charging Stations Committee: Launched a new committee to bring electric vehicle charging stations to campus if funding is received.
Goldman Environmental Prize Ceremony: Attended this inspiring ceremony and spoke with the motivational 2015 prize recipients. Education Committee: Started partnership with ESLI, a Northern Virginia based environmental literacy outreach program.
2013-2014
Envirothon:
TJ's Envirothon first team placed second in the local competition, advancing to the Area I regional competition
The TJ team placed third at the regional competition at the school's first time competing at that level of Envirothon.
United States Science and Engineering Festival: EIC held its first booth at the United States Science and Engineering Festival held in Washington, D.C.. They spread the word about environmental issues and helped thousands of students create self-watered bean plants.
Polar Bear Plunge: Fundraised with the Chesapeake Climate Action Network.
Three Birds: TJ began working with the nonprofit foundation, Three Birds, to replicate the success of installing solar panels for other schools in Fairfax County. To sign the petition, click under the Clean Energy Initiatives tab in Committees.
Power Shift: Three of the Environmental Impact Club's members were selected to represent the DMV area in Pittsburgh at a national environmental youth conference called Power Shift.
Education Committee: EIC started this initiative to educate neighboring elementary school students about the environment. Read more about it in the Education page under the Committees fly out menu.
Continuation of Power Down Day and Vegetarian Week, and the reusable trays program.
2012-2013
Envirothon: Thomas Jefferson High School's first Envirothon team placed third in the local competition.
Recycled Paper: Switched the school to 30% post consumer recycled paper.
Water Quality: Helped teach students in the Middle East about water conservation.
Polar Bear Plunge: Fund raised with the Chesapeake Climate Action Network.
Continuation of Power Down Day, Vegetarian Week and Reusable Trays Program.
2011-2012
Erg: Students worked to convert the mechanical energy of an erg machine to electricity to power a snow cone machine. DC motors were used backwards and a converter harnessed the energy.
Energy Audit: Students worked with Thomas Jefferson faculty and statistics to print out the first energy audit of the school.
Power Down Day: Teachers agreed to use power as little as possible, and lights were turned off throughout the school where possible.
Renovation Edits: Students worked with administration and construction contractors to incorporate green elements in the school's imminent renovation, including power saving windows and water bottle filling stations.
Vegetarian Week: For one week, students were encouraged to eat green and stay healthy.
2008 - 2009
Solar Panels: Over past two years students have raised over $44,000 to put solar panels on the school. Website: http://tjspi.110mb.com/ Greening FCPS: Students worked with US Green Building Council to get FCPS to adopt a resolution that all new schools and major renovations will be built and certified LEED silver. Students have organized a school board letter writing campaign, and have also put together a tool kit for PTSA’s to use in advocating for the resolution.
Anti-Coal: Students collected hundreds of petition signatures against the proposed coal fired power plant.
Energy Efficiency: We have been working to pass effective energy efficiency legislation in Virginia. The state senator that represents the district that includes TJ, sits on a powerful committee through which the legislation needs to pass. The Environmental Impact Club has been a key part of the effort to convince this Senator to let the bill pass through his committee. The students have written post cards to the Senator themselves and organized postcard writing campaigns among their classmates. A student went down to Richmond on one of the teacher workdays to meet with the Senators office and hand deliver our postcards. Students hosted a town hall meeting Energy Efficiency First: The Path to an Energy Efficient with Chesapeake Climate Action Network and Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light.