Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.

Connecting People, Places, and Planet

Become a Mentor in the Green Schools Quest!

We are seeking volunteers to serve as Green Mentors to help local schools implement sustainability projects over the course of six months through the Green Schools Quest: A Project-Based Challenge.

Learn more at an upcoming GSQ Info Session

The Program

The Green Schools Quest is an annual project-based challenge to PreK-12 schools to implement student-driven, no/low-cost sustainability projects at their schools with the help of a Green Mentor. Students document and share their impact, and awards are presented at elementary, middle, and high school levels. The challenge is open to all schools within Missouri and a portion of Southern Illinois. Participating schools represent the wide range of geographic, economic, and racial diversity that is found within communities throughout this area.

Mentor Role

Green Mentors are volunteers from the Missouri Gateway Green Building Council and Missouri Environmental Education Association who provide guidance, resources, and encouragement as needed to assist students and their team sponsor as they plan and implement their chosen sustainability project. (Not a member yet? It's easy to join MGGBC or MEEA with memberships starting at $25.)

Mentors represent a broad range of professions and include architects, engineers, educators, community advocates, project managers, landscape architects, urban planners, sustainability coordinators, retired community members, and more. They serve as role models and community connectors who expand students’ awareness of the wide variety of careers that relate to sustainability.

Time Commitment

Roughly 2-5 hours per month between October and March, plus a 2 hour training in September.

Support Provided

Mentors receive an orientation introducing them to the program and resources which include project idea lists, community resources, checklists/tips to guide them, and more. Mentors may reach out to the GSQ program manager at any time with questions and for support.

Learn More

Prospective mentors are invited to attend a GSQ Information Session via Zoom. Two sessions will be held which will cover the same content; choose the one that works best with your schedule: August 24, from 4:30-5:30 pm and September 7 from 4:00-5:00pm. All are welcome!

Timeline

Fill out the Mentor Registration Form by Aug 31st

Participate in a Green Mentor orientation in Sept

Pair up with a PreK-12 school the first week of Oct

Commit roughly 2-5 hours/month from Oct through March providing guidance, resources, and encouragement as needed to assist students and their team sponsor as they plan and implement their chosen sustainability project(s)