Eco School House

When a trailer serving as an auxiliary classroom at Grant Elementary School in Columbia, MO, burned down in 2007, principal Beverly Borduin approached architect Nick Peckham—known for his “green” projects—with the idea of replacing it with a modern version of a one-room schoolhouse that would be both energy efficient and environmentally friendly. Peckham accepted the challenge, and Ken Leija and Avery Danziger's documentary offers an account of how the undertaking overcame challenges posed by financial limitations and weather conditions to emerge as the first such self-sustaining community-built schoolhouse in the U.S. Interviews with Borduin, Peckham, foreman Scott Powell, volunteers, teachers, and students are combined with footage of the actual construction, with topics ranging from the use of innovative techniques and unusual materials (like floor tiles made from corn) to how local builders and businesses—in addition to Peckham's architectural firm—donated both time and supplies to complete the project on schedule. Finally, Eco School House notes how the new school has encouraged other efforts to conserve energy and protect the environment, thereby becoming—in effect—a teaching tool itself. A winning portrait of community spirit that also serves up a textbook case of how progress can be made at the local level if enough people work together, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)