Darrington High School

Darrington Middle/High School's (DM/HS), DHS Science Club has promoted student and public education and scientific literacy on many topics affecting environmental and public health since its inception. It recycled aluminum cans on campus until cans were replaced by bottles in school vending machines (recycling is now done by Ecology Club). For over 10 years, the Club has raised student awareness about blood and blood products and sponsored blood drives with Puget Sound Blood Center. The Club began monitoring and public outreach related to local air quality with Puget Sound Clean Air Agency in 2005, making presentations to the general public, school, various groups and at the EPA National Air Quality Conference in 2006. In earlier years, the Club participated in solar car races at the Cherry Blossom Festival in Seattle, water quality testing, and several field trips to the Baker and Gorge Dam powerhouses and Diablo Dam in the Skagit Gorge. One in 2008 included a stop at a small farm in Skagit County that generates the power for all its electrical needs through solar panels and and a water collection system to provide water for its human and animal residents. This project is in keeping with the Club's interests in public service, improved air quality, and environmentally responsible power generation. Darrington High School received renewable classroom materials and a teacher training through a grant from Snohomish County PUD's Planet Power program.