MANTECA, Calif., October 28, 2010 – Gen 7 hosts Manteca Unified School District's sixth grade Environmental Stewards

Forty sixth grade students were selected as the Environmental Stewards for their school sites. Together, they will change the way in which items can be reused, recycled or discarded as waste at their sites. On Thursday, October 21, the program kicked off with a special event held at American Modular Systems, who manufacture Gen7, high performance, eco-friendly classrooms.

Students experienced innovative techniques to start their own recycling programs and saw first-hand how familiar items such as discarded aluminum cans and blue jeans can be reused to construct sustainable classrooms. “Iʼm just amazed because of all the little things they recycle to make big things,” said Steven Gill, 11, sixth grade student at George Y. Komure Elementary School.

“By recycling at school, students can learn the basics of recycling, sustainability resources conservation and environmental stewardship,” says Victoria Brunn, Sustainability Coordinator for the Leadership On Green Initiatives Committee (LOGIC) at Manteca Unified School District. “We want to partner with Gen7 to show our Environmental Stewards how a sustainable classroom can provide a healthy learning environment. Creating a learning environment that underscores the curriculum is a vital way to teach.” LOGIC is committed to providing innovative teaching opportunities and programming to the districts 24,000 plus students. “The students will go back as ambassadors and pass on the things they learned today,” added Superintendent, Jason Messer.

Co-Founder of American Modular Systems, Tony Sarich, is a strong advocate for sustainability education. “We have worked with LOGIC since its inception in 2009. While our company is transforming the way classrooms are built, we are committed to taking a leadership role in the community to encourage sustainable practices within each school. We want students and teachers to see the benefits of green schools while experiencing the number of hands-on learning opportunities these classrooms provide.”

Woodward Elementary student, Andrew Brunn, was excited to represent his school as an Environmental Steward and looked forward to his visit to Gen7 to learn how to start a school-recycling program. When asked why he wants to learn more about recycling, he responded: “By recycling, we can help the earth, stop global warming and most important, keep plastic out of the ocean so it canʼt harm ocean life. I want my school to do whatʼs best for the environment and be leaders in the charge!”

About Manteca Unified School District

Manteca Unified School District has been recognized throughout the state as a leader in environmental programs. It achieved the honor of being the first school district in California to adapt the statewide Environmental Education Initiative, the national model designed to help prepare students to become future scientists, economists and green technology leaders.

About AMS and Gen7

American Modular Systems (AMS), one of the largest modular manufacturers in the West, designs and builds commercial, institutional and educational facilities. With the addition of Gen7 — high quality, energy-efficient, eco-friendly classrooms — the California-based builder is helping communities create healthy, sustainable learning environments that will benefit students for generations to come.