Nissan launches Eco School with MS Children’s Museum ahead of Earth Hour

Special to The Canton News 

The Nissan Sustainability team recently launched an educational program called Nissan Eco School at the Mississippi Children’s Museum in Jackson. The pilot program is inspired by a global Nissan initiative called “Waku Waku,” meaning “joy,” which has brought educational programming focused on sustainability to students in Japan since 2008.

Nissan Eco School is an after-school event for second -and third-grade students from the Jackson Public Schools district, supported by three employees from Nissan’s Canton Vehicle Assembly Plant, each of whom leads a hands-on module from the Eco School curriculum.

The approximately 90-minute program includes lessons on water, recycling and energy conservation, including a take-home workbook.

“Nissan Eco School brings Nissan’s successful ‘Waku Waku Eco School’ green educational programming to the North American market, and we’re excited to expand Eco School to other locations across the region,” said Parul Bajaj, senior manager of Sustainability, Nissan North America. “As proud members of the Mississippi community, our Canton team is honored to bring Nissan’s commitment to environmental responsibility to life for local students through fun, practical lessons about conservation and recycling.”

The pilot was timed to provide green-focused lessons to students ahead of Earth Hour on Saturday, March 28, and inspires participants to take part in the annual grassroots environmental movement. Students at the Nissan Eco School were encouraged to build a blanket fort, shut off the lights and read by flashlight from 8:30 – 9:30 p.m. for this year’s Earth Hour celebration. “Nissan has been a longstanding and valued partner of the Mississippi Children’s Museum, helping bring science, technology, engineering, and math to life for children across our state,” said Susan Garrard, President/CEO of the Mississippi Children’s Museum. “The Nissan Eco School program is another powerful example of that commitment—connecting hands-on learning with real-world skills and helping prepare Mississippi’s future workforce. Our team is excited to host this impactful program and welcome the participating students.”