Ecybermission Team Places 2nd in California

"Green roofs are a natural way to help combat climate change," says student Hudson, "they are vital in densely concentrated areas like Los Angeles, where development and other surfaces absorb and retain heat." The team consisting of all sixth-graders Anais Escudero '24, Ashley Sakonju '24, and Hudson Shen '24 placed second in California in this year's eCYBERMISSION. This organization is a web-based science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) competition for students in grades six through nine. Students are challenged to work in teams to identify a problem in their community to explore using scientific practices and/or solve with engineering design.

As the sixth graders explain, the green roof is a layer of vegetation placed on top of a flat-surfaced roof. These extensive green roofs contain plants that go no more than four inches off the ground (intensive green roofs can have shrubbery and trees!). The components

10 CHANDLER SCHOOL they designed feature root barriers, a drainage system, a growing medium to supply nutrients to the plants, and a membrane used to make a green roof waterproof.

There were 1,893 submissions in the nation, making this Chandler team one of the standout projects in the competition. Impressed with the project, the judges shared that their ideas "should be used nationwide on any school with a flat roof."