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Interact With Green Schools!
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It's time to Nominate a Green Difference Maker today!
Green Schools honors and recognizes Outstanding Environmental Education & STEM Education efforts led in our Schools & Communities at our Annual Green Difference Awards.
This event will take place at the MA State House in the spring [May 28, 2014]
Green Difference Makers can be: Principals, Teachers, Advisors, Schools, Students, or School Groups/Clubs.
Application period open until April 14th:
For questions regarding The Green Difference Awards, please write us at:
[email protected] OR call (508) 272-9653
Nominate an Outstanding Green Difference Maker today!
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2014 Green Schools National Conference
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We're helping promote the Green Schools National Conference, set for March 27-29 in Sacramento.
Register today and we'll see you there!
GREEN SCHOOLS NATIONAL CONFERENCE PROGRAM ANNOUNCED
View the complete Green Schools National Conference program online! From Solution Summits to breakout sessions to our new 'Speed Greening', we have something for everyone!
This year's conference offers a solid schedule designed with networking and working solutions in mind, with topics including sustainable building design, green school partnerships, healthier school foods, environmental curriculum development, regional meetings and more!
The Student Summit is designed to inspire and motivate students to work toward programs and projects that can help them green their own schools and communities.
View the 2014 Program
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Green Schools Summit has Moved
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The 7th Annual MA Green Schools Summit on April 2 has MOVED TO EPA New England Headquarters, a LEED Certified Building!!
5 Post Office Square #100, Boston, MA 02109
More info coming soon, but thought you'd like to know.
We are excited!
Robin
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Discovery Education and 3M Search for America's 2014 Top Young Scientist
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Students in Grades 5-8 to Compete for $25,000 in the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge
Challenge Pairs Middle School Students with 3M Scientist for a Unique Summer Mentorship Experience
(Silver Spring, Md. and St. Paul, Minn.) | Discovery Education and 3M are proud to announce the opening of the 16th annual Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge. The nation's premier science competition for students in grades 5-8, the Challenge rewards students for their science acumen, demonstration of innovative thinking and communication skills. Through the Challenge, students have the opportunity to compete for $25,000 and the title of "America's Top Young Scientist."
Encouraging students to share their passion for science, the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge asks students to create a one to two-minute video communicating the science behind a possible solution to an everyday problem.
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Earth Hour 2014
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Join millions of people across the world who switch lights off for an hour - to raise awareness for the planet.
Earth Hour is March 29, 2014
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National Green Week 2014
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Green Week is Five!
Last year over 5 million students participated and this year our aim is to have 8 million engaged in sustainability education throughout the country. To help us reach this goal, and to be a part of the largest K-12 sustainability education movement, if you could please take a moment to email the following notice to your members and post to Facebook- we would greatly appreciate it! As always, participation in Green Week and in all of GEF's educational resources is FREE. In addition, GEF will be raffling over $10,000 worth of prizes to participating schools.
Join the largest K-12 sustainability education movement by signing up for National Green Week 2014! Green Week kicks off February 3 and lasts through April 25, 2014. You choose any week during that time to be your Green Week. It's free, and if you join on or before February 3 you will be entered to win Green Packs (reusable water bottles, snack containers and bags) for your entire school! In addition, GEF will be raffling over $10,000 in prizes through Earth Day - so don't, wait sign up today!
Green Week Website
Green Education Foundation (GEF)
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| National Wildlife Week 2014 | |
Save the Date for National Wildlife Week!
March 17-23, 2014
One thing that all wildlife need, whatever they are and wherever they live, is WATER. In 2014, the theme of National Wildlife Week is:
Wildlife and Water: From the mountains to the rivers to the oceans
National Wildlife Week is National Wildlife Federation's longest-running education program designed around teaching and connecting kids to the awesome wonders of wildlife. Each year, we pick a theme and provide fun and informative educational materials, curriculum and activities for educators and caregivers to use with kids.
As we update this website with lesson plans, materials, events and more, we'll send out periodic email updates. Sign up for updates
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Sign up for the National Wildlife Week Kickoff Webinar! The webinar, on February 19th from 5:00-6:30 p.m. Eastern time, is designed to help teachers and parents prepare for National Wildlife Week. Learn from experts about the featured wildlife. Find out about the many resources available to help you celebrate National Wildlife Week. Sign up now
For questions about National Wildlife Week, email [email protected].
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| The Food Recovery Challenge | |
The Food Recovery Challenge is a part of the EPA's Sustainable Materials Management Program. Participants are challenged to reduce as much of their food waste as possible through prevention, donation and recycling/composting. The program not only helps the environment but helps participating organizations save money as well by improving their bottom line. Any business or organization can participate, and you can view a list of current participants on the ReTrac website to see who's doing their part. Sign up today!
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| International School Meals Day | |
The 2014 International School Meals Day is March 6th, 2014, also World Book Day. Schools around the world can celebrate the Day by promoting healthy eating and learning, using the theme Food Stories. Schools and organizations can connect across the world and share their stories about food through established online education platforms that allow students and teachers to experience learning and teaching beyond their classroom wall, including Connecting Classrooms and Skype in the Classroom.
Learn More
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| World Water Day is March 22, 2014: Water & Energy | |
Water and energy are closely interlinked and interdependent.
GET THE FACTS...World Water Day: Water & Energy
1. Water requires energy and energy requires water
Water is required to produce nearly all forms of energy. Energy is needed at all stages of water extraction, treatment and distribution.
2. Supplies are limited and demand is increasing
Demand for freshwater and energy will continue to increase significantly over the coming decades. This increase will present big challenges and strain resources in nearly all regions, especially in developing and emerging economies.
3. Saving energy is saving water. Saving water is saving energy
Choices concerning the supply, distribution, price, and use of water and energy impact one another.
4. The "bottom billion" urgently needs access to both water and sanitation services, and electricity
Worldwide, 1.3 billion people currently live without electricity, 780 million people lack access to safe drinking water and 2.5 billion people are without sanitation. Water and energy have crucial impacts on poverty alleviation.
5. Improving water and energy efficiency is imperative as are coordinated, coherent and concerted policies
Better understanding between the two sectors of the connections and effects on each other will improve coordination in energy and water planning, leading to reducing inefficiencies. Policy-makers, planners and practitioners can take steps to overcome the barriers that exist between their respective domains. Innovative and pragmatic national policies can lead to more efficient and cost effective provision of water and energy services.
Learn More
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| Action for Healthy Kids Webinar | |
Wed, Apr 9, 2014,
1:00pm ET; 12:00pm CT; 11:00am MT; 10:00am PT (75 minutes)
How to Create a Healthier School Food Culture | AFHK Parent Leadership Series
The school food culture goes way beyond the cafeteria. Children need to learn how to make healthy choices from the minute they walk in the school's front door to the minute they leave at the end of the school day - and beyond. This webinar will be recorded for those who register but are not able to attend the LIVE session.
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| National Environmental Education Foundation Study | |
"How many Americans are using environmental information to make everyday decisions?"
The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) commissioned a groundbreaking national study to measure environmental behavior and attitudes. The results provide NEEF a baseline for its vision that by 2022, 300 million Americans actively use environmental knowledge to ensure the well-being of the earth and its people.
Survey highlights include:
* Six out of ten American adults take some sort of action when learning about the environmental issues facing the world
* 61% of adults visited a park or nature center in the last 12 months.
* 52% of adults consider zoos, nature centers and parks as trustworthy sources for environmental problems and issues.
* 77% of adults turn the lights off when leaving a room.
* 9% of adults compost.
* 59% of adults consider an environmentally conscious lifestyle a lot of work.
The research surveyed 1,500 individuals between 18 and 74 years of age with demographics in balance with the U.S. Census.
NEEF is the nation's leading organization in lifelong environmental learning, connecting people to knowledge they use to improve the quality of their lives and the health of the planet.
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| e-book "Measuring Environmental Education Outcomes" | |
Authors are 20 environmental educators who are trying to offer a fresh look at environmental education outcomes and their measurement.
Feel free to use this e-book in your own EE program or in professional development workshops for other educators.
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Mark Your Calendars for National Public Health Week and National Public Schools Day!
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National Public Health Week - April 7-13, 2014
National Healthy Schools Day - Tuesday, April 8, 2014
- Participate locally, in your city or state, or nationally! Become a new or continuing National Healthy Schools Day partner in 2014. Email [email protected] for information on how your school or group can be recognized.
- Make sure to visit the web and make sure to Register your activity so we can add it to the activities map!
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| Green Strides Webinar Series 2014 | |
The Green Strides Webinar Series provides school communities the tools to reduce their schools' environmental impact and costs; improve health and wellness; and teach effective environmental education. It provides all schools access to the resources that help them move toward the Pillars of our U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools recognition award.
Mar. (tbd), 2014, Partnering Up for Our Water Planet (EarthEcho)
Register here. EarthEcho Expeditions is about engaging local communities to improve our Water Planet, but young people don't have to go at it alone. There are partners in every community ready to position youth as stakeholders on projects that make big impacts. Join EarthEcho International, our network of partners, and classrooms from across the country to learn about partnership opportunities and how to join millions of young people this spring in
Global Youth Service Day.
Mar. 12, 2014, 4-4:30 p.m. Local Action for Global Change - Gearing up for Earth Day 2014 (Rainforest Alliance)
Register here. This webinar is designed to help you get ready for Earth Day 2014 and integrating local action for global change into your classroom - and everyday life! Don't wait until the week before to plan your class projects, get a head start now. We will explore action projects you can do right at your school, in your community, and with community organizations and partners to help engage your students in positive actions for a more prosperous planet.
Mar. 12, 2014, 7-8 p.m. Engineering in the Field or Schoolyard (NEEF)
Register here. Engineering activities are typically thought of as carried out behind a desk or computer, but that does not have to be the case. In this webinar, experienced educators will share ideas and resources for projects and activities which engage students in applying STEM - and particularly engineering - skills in the outdoors, whether in the schoolyard or in the field.
Sign up for the U.S. Department of Education Green Strides Newsletter
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Massachusetts Climate Adaptation Forum
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The Massachusetts Climate Adaptation Forum encourages high school and college students to educate themselves on environmental issues and inspires them to be the next generation of youth leaders. The Forum is designed to advance the knowledge and perspective of Massachusetts' high school and college students with interactive roundtable discussions on local relevant topics.
The critical factor for a sustainable future is in preparing the next generation to understand and value the interconnectedness of environmental responsibility, social equity and economic development. The Forum empowers, encourages and mobilizes Massachusetts' high school and college students to be local Thought-Leaders for positive impact.
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
8:30 am - 12:00 pm
EPA Region 1
Leighton Hall
5 Post Office Square
Boston, MA 02109
Click for more details, agenda and to register
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Award Opportunities
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Opportunity to Recognize EE Providers
SWANA Presents...50 Unsung Heroes-Recognizing Those Making a Difference. SWANA Unsung Heroes is a new recognition program from the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) giving an opportunity to acknowledge individuals or groups in your community who are making a difference in the solid waste industry.
Unsung Heroes can be nominated by members, chapter officers, employers, contractors, sponsors, exhibitors and Technical Division Directors. The individual making the nomination must be a SWANA member.
Please submit your nomination(s) no later than midnight (EST) March 15, 2014.
Learn More
20th Annual Secretary's Award for Excellence in Energy and Environmental Education
Deadline: March 28, 2014
We encourage you to nominate a school program, teacher and students who are participating in energy and environmental education projects.
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Grant Opportunities
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DoSomething.org Seed Grants Deadline: Ongoing
Are you working to start a community action project or program with your friends? Do you need money to put your ideas into action? A $500 Do Something Seed Grant is given out every week to help young people just like YOU! These grants can be used towards project ideas and programs that are just getting started, or to jump-start your program and realize your ideas for the first time. These grants can also be used towards projects that are already developed and sustainable, towards the next steps of your project and organization to help you as you look to expand your project and grow your impact. Click Here
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Save the Date...
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7th Annual MA Green Schools Summit - "Developing Energy & Environmentally Literate Students, Schools, and Citizens Across the Commonwealth"
Location: EPA New England Headquarters, a LEED Certified Building!!
5 Post Office Square #100, Boston, MA 02109
Registration and Details to Follow
Featuring:
Confirmed Address from Mark Sylvia, Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources
Confirmed Welcome from Senator Jamie Eldridge
Confirmed Address from Robin Organ, Chair of Secretaries Advisory Group of Energy and Environmental Education
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Sincerely,
Robin Organ
Founder and Executive Director
Green Schools
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