At Mackintosh Academy, we believe in nurturing not only the minds of our students but also their connection to the natural world. We are thrilled to announce that our school has been awarded a 2025 grant from the Colorado Garden Foundation to support the maintenance and growth of our beloved greenhouse. This grant will allow us to install an irrigation system and purchase or replace essential equipment, ensuring that our greenhouse remains a vibrant hub for sustainability and environmental education.

The Colorado Garden Foundation has been a steadfast partner in our journey toward fostering a greener future. In fact, it was their original grant ten years ago  that made it possible for us to build the greenhouse, which has since become an integral part of our campus and curriculum. The greenhouse serves as a living classroom for all Mackintosh students, complementing their science education and providing hands-on learning opportunities that inspire a deeper understanding of sustainability.

From planting seeds to harvesting produce, students at every grade level have engaged with the greenhouse over the years. This immersive experience not only teaches them about plant biology and ecosystems but also instills a sense of responsibility for the environment. The greenhouse is a tangible representation of our school’s commitment to sustainability, and it empowers students to see themselves as stewards of the Earth.

A key driving force behind the greenhouse project is our Do-Gooders student service club, which includes students in grades 3-8. These passionate young leaders work tirelessly to maintain the greenhouse, plant new crops, and educate their peers about the importance of sustainable practices. Their dedication is a testament to the impact of hands-on environmental education.

Two of our students, Ainara and Jackson, had the honor of attending the grant award ceremony. They eloquently expressed their gratitude to the Colorado Garden Foundation. Their heartfelt words resonated with everyone in attendance and highlighted the transformative power of this project.

In addition, Mackintosh Academy was featured on Denver 7 News, where two of our younger students, Orion and Lucas along with Director of Instruction Lara Pausback, spoke about the significance of the greenhouse. They explained how it serves as a cornerstone of our environmental education program, complements math and science instruction, and fosters a sense of wonder and curiosity about the natural world. Their enthusiasm and articulate insights showcased the profound impact the greenhouse has on our students and community.

This grant from the Colorado Garden Foundation is more than just financial support—it’s an investment in the future of our students and the planet. By repairing the irrigation system and upgrading equipment, we are ensuring that the greenhouse continues to thrive as a space for learning, exploration, and growth. 

At Mackintosh Academy, we are committed to cultivating a culture of sustainability and environmental stewardship. The greenhouse is a symbol of that commitment, and we are deeply grateful to the Colorado Garden Foundation and its Executive Director Jim Fricke for their ongoing support. We also thank Mackintosh Director of Development and Community Engagement Tami Vinson for stewarding the grant.

Together, we are sowing the seeds of a brighter, greener future for generations to come.

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Since 2014, Mackintosh Academy middle school students have participated in the

The WAC is open to middle and high school students from across the globe who work in teams to create innovative solutions. As part of this competition, students consult with subject matter experts to learn about the root causes of a specific global issue, and how it impacts communities. They then design solutions to address the problem and implement community service projects to contribute toward solving the issue. On WAC Event day, student teams present their work to a panel of judges for feedback and scoring. They also take a Global Quiz to assess their knowledge of world issues.

In the week leading into spring break, our Mackintosh middle school students completed and submitted their video presentation on the global issues they had researched. A panel of volunteer judges reviewed these videos and then conducted Zoom interviews with each team. The WACadamia Nuts took third place in the competition for their project focusing on bat conservation. This group investigated the impact of disease, climate change, habitat shift, and human interaction upon the at-risk bat population. As their service project, they built two bat houses to place in local areas to help provide more roosting sites for bats. Their project video is available for viewing here.

The other Mackintosh teams participating in the competition were:

• We’re WAC in Business -This team investigated how climate change affects indigeous populations in Alaska who are having to relocate. Their service included student design artwork (sculpture, watercolor, and digital downloads) to help raise money for those forced to relocate.
• The WAC Meisters – This group researched how kelp farms can help mitigate ocean acidification due to climate change, which is increasing the oceans’ dead spots. They baked cookies and breads with kelp-derived products to have a fundraiser to support organizations that are researching and using kelp farms for environmental support.
• WACamarines – This team examined how lionfish, an invasive species, are affecting Florida’s coral reefs and the surrounding ecosystem. They planned a recycled boat raingutter regatta to raise funds for lionfish mitigation groups.
• Project Chomolungma  – This group delved into a dirty topic – the waste that is left by tourist climbers in the Khumbu Valley, where. Mount Everest (Chomolungma) is found. They made handmade soap to sell to the Mack community to support an organization within the Khumbu region that works to clean up the waste.
• WACxolotls – This group studied axolotls, an endangered species whose home habitat is Lake Xochimilco in Mexico. The water availability for the lake and Mexico City is at a crisis level, greatly affecting the people, habitat and the animals that live within it. The team created plush lovey dolls in the form of the axolotls and sold them to community members to raise funds for an organization working with farmers near Lake Xochimilco to improve environmental conditions.
  

All of the students worked hard to research their chosen issue, interview experts in the field, synthesize the information into a presentation, and create a service project to address the issue. Mackintosh middle school teacher Joe Pausback recognized the value of the experience for all students, saying, “As a teacher, guiding students through WAC feels sort of like driving a big bus down a steep hill and midway down throwing the steering wheel out the window and then watching what happens.  From start to finish each project grows organically and as a teacher my role becomes facilitation.  Each group winds up in their own unique place with their own challenges and needs.  For me the first week or two is hard getting the students to connect with each other and get moving in the same direction.  The best moment usually happens about two weeks in, when each group finally is connected and vested in their project and no longer needs teacher guidance to remain on task. I also love when the students start setting up and conducting their interviews. Another challenging part is keeping up with the expectations from the World Affairs Challenge administration. They have a schedule for when they need certain discrete tasks completed from each group and getting all the pieces down at the right time takes focus and finesse. For some reason this year, the due dates always seemed to come a little before the students were really ready for them.”

Kelly Kates, Mackintosh performing arts teacher and student service coordinator, also supported WAC students. She reflected, “Since it was the first time working with WAC for me, I was really excited about the students having the opportunity to address real world problems and to really have an impact,  It was inspiring to hear about all of the different projects.  It also gave me the opportunity to see our students in a different light as they were so professional while interviewing different people for their projects. Also, during the collaborative question, I got to sit in on all of the interviews with the judges. I took great pride in the fact that every team was told their video was one of the most creative the judges had seen – and I think having 4 of the top 10 teams reflects that.”

The World Affairs Challenge was founded in 2010 as part of what is now the Joseph Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver. The WAC started as a community outreach program to educate students and teachers about global issues. WAC is merging with World Denver, another nonprofit organization that works “to strengthen and expand the community of engaged global citizens and organizations in Colorado through education, cross-cultural exchange, and personal interaction.”  Both WAC and World Denver align with Mackintosh Academy’s mission as an International Baccalaureate school that aims to empower students to make a difference in the world.

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NOTE: The glass recycling program at Mackintosh Academy has ended as our recycling partner has ceased operations. Please contact your city or waste management company for information on how to recycle glass in your area.

Glass recycling makes a difference in our community!

Every Wednesday morning at carline, you can see parents and students unloading bags and boxes of glass jars and bottles. They leave them curbside near our front entrance, and the Green Team transfers them to a dedicated recycling bin on campus. For the past several years, this glass recycling program has been an integral part of our award-winning sustainability initiatives at Mack.

Since beginning this program in 2016, Mackintosh Academy has recycled over 16.5 tons (33,000 pounds) of glass. We rely on our dedicated community not only to bring the glass, but also to help offset the cost of the program. We like to think of ourselves as a “Smart Village.” This village includes not only students and teachers, but also staff, board members, parents, and community partners in our efforts to be as green as possible.

Green Partners help us make a bigger impact

Clear Intentions, our glass recycling partner, offers glass recycling services and recycled glass products to a broad range of industries, including food and entertainment, municipalities, construction, infrastructure, and manufacturing.  They create a crushed recycled glass aggregate from 100% source-separated recycled glass. This aggregate can be used in flooring, water filtration, beach restoration, and – of course – in creating more glass bottles!

This fall, The Steller Group Real Estate and Mack parents Seth and Allison Jones stepped up to sponsor the costs of this glass recycling program. Please join us in thanking Seth, Allison, and the Steller Group for this generous sponsorship!

Here is a statement from the Jones family and the Steller Group explaining why this program is so meaningful to them:

“Seth and Allison Jones have combined efforts with The Steller Group Real Estate team to sponsor the continuance of Mackintosh Academy’s glass recycling program. This donation comes from a personal commitment to protecting the environment. The Jones family is dedicated to recycling and doing their part to reduce waste and prioritize conservation efforts in their own home; for instance, they use reusable grocery sacks and bags for the kids’ lunches, and compost and grow what they can in their garden. The Steller Group itself is committed to a hearty recycling program at its office. Conrad Steller, the owner, even takes it upon himself to educate the team about items that can and cannot be recycled.

The Jones family and The Steller Group believe we can help create a better world for tomorrow by taking action today. Leading by example is our responsibility, and our duty to our youth. If children create good habits like sustainability and recycling in their early years, it will become second nature when they are older. Small but impactful contributions are what it takes to make meaningful change so that our children can continue to enjoy all that our beautiful planet has to give us.”

Because of generous “Green Partners” like these we are able to offer an array of environmental initiatives. These efforts involve  every student in our school. As the Jones’ story shows, these initiatives have ripple effects that reach far beyond our campus.

Thank you Jones Family & The Steller Group for being our Green Partner!

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