Project Green Schools Honors Students & Teachers for Environmental Leadership at 12 th Annual Green Difference Awards


Project Green Schools last Friday held the annual 2019 Green Difference Awards in recognition of Outstanding National Environmental Education & STEM Education efforts led in Schools & Communities worldwide. Honorees descended upon the Massachusetts State House from MA, RI, KS, MD, VA, RI, CA, FL, NC, TX, PA, NY and as far away as India for this special awards ceremony.

“Each year we are thrilled to see the outstanding Environmental Leadership taking place in our schools and communities across the globe to transform the way we think about and interact with our environment,” said Robin Buchanan, Executive Director of Project Green Schools. “The 2019 honorees’ extraordinary ideas and innovative sustainability initiatives help make exactly the kind of impact needed to take on 21st Century challenges while creating a healthier future. We thank State Representative Jay Barrows, without whom this event would not be possible each year, as well as our sponsors, Scenic America, UgMO, National Grid, Intercontinental Hotel Group and City Compost. Congratulations the 2019 honorees for their achievements!”

“I appreciate the ongoing efforts by Project Green Schools in educating our students in Massachusetts and beyond as to the importance of being good stewards to our environment. It is a special day at the State House to recognize everyone’s efforts,” said State Representative F. Jay Barrows.

The 2019 Green Difference Awards Ceremony featured a keynote address by Linda Booker, Documentary Director and Producer of two award-winning films and producer of video content for non-profits and environmental programs. Her film, STRAWS , is an educational and inspiring 30-minute documentary that highlights the devastating levels of straws and other plastic pollution in our waterways and oceans and provides accessible solutions for students and families.

The ceremony also included a keynote address by Madhvi Chittoor, Plastic Pollution Coalition Youth Ambassador and founder of Madhvi 4 Eco Ethics. Quincy High School students presented an Eco Fashion Show in which they exhibited outfits they designed using recycled materials, such as cut CDs and DVDs, water bottles and graded assignments, that they transformed into wearable garments. Award-winning journalist, Karen Anderson of WCVB Newscenter 5 was the emcee for the awards ceremony.

Project Green Schools partners with over 6,300 schools and 500,000 students from over 43 U.S. states and 45 countries to facilitate the development of student leaders who have engaged in E-STEAM learning and projects and are pursuing higher education and jobs in the green workforce.

Click here for more images from our Award Ceremony.

Click here for images from our Thursday Evening Reception.
Congratulations to the 2019 Green Difference Awards Honorees:

Green and Healthy Schools
  • DCPS Stockton ES Green Team, Stockton Elementary, FL
  • Green and Healthy Lifestyle through Green Education, NPS International School Guwahati, India
  • GreenFutures Sustainability Program, The School District of Philadelphia, PA
  • Making A Difference with Plants, Catherine Staid and Eliza Woodward Manchester-Essex High School Green Team, MA
  • Mission Green Mumbai, Subhajit Mukherjee, India
  • Support Greeny and Happy, Healthy Forever, PSGR Krishnammal Nursery and Primary School, India 

Green Living and Consumerism
  • Justin Sather, www.ForTheLoveOfFrogs.com, CA
  • Congressional School's Globally-Wise Reusable Bag & Single Use Plastics Reduction Campaign, Congressional School, VA

Food and Agriculture
  • Braiding the Sacred Community Gardening, Saponi Stickball, NC
  • Youth Villages AmeriCorps Outdoor Kitchen, Youth Villages-Inner Harbour Campus, GA

STEM and the Future of Sustainability
  • Fish in the Classroom, William D'Abate Elementary School, RI 
  • Broward County Sistrunk Bioswale Demonstration Project, Broward County Environmental Planning and Community Resilience Division, FL

Outdoor Learning and Exploration
  • Gardening project and introduction of NGSS in the Farmingdale community, Farmingdale High School, NY
  • WISE Garden (Wildcats Initiative for a Sustainable Environment), Twin Lakes Academy Elem Green Team, FL
  • William Kenney & Josef Vytopil, Manchester-Essex High School Green Team, MA  

Waste Management
  • Reseller Website on FaceBook and Storage Hauling, Angel's Gate High School LAUSD, CA 

Energy
  • How Low Can You Go Challenge (Energy/Water), Driftwood Middle School Academy of Health and Wellness , FL
 
Land, Air Natural World
  • Jennifer Cheng, San Pedro High School LAUSD, CA

Lifetime Achievement Award for a hero who has dedicated his or her life to Green Education
  • Denise Scribner, KS
  • John Kakandelwa, Zambia
  • Korry VanWagoner DCPS Green Champions Teacher Liaison, FL 

Honorable Mentions:
  • Captain Samuel Brown Elementary School, MA  
  • DCPS Palm Avenue ESC Green Team, FL
  • Jesse Fitzelle-Jones, Compass School, RI
  • Kyle Khani, Manchester-Essex High School Green Team, MA 
  • National Green Schools Chapter, Compass Farm Camp, MA
  • Outdoor Learning Exploration and Research, Bolinas-Stinson School, CA
  • Seed to Table Program, MUSE School, CA

Green Difference Maker Scholarship sponsored by Project Green Schools & National Grid - $2,500
 
  • Athena Vieira, The Metropolitan Regional Career and Technical Center, RI
 
The Green Difference Maker Scholarship is given to a graduating senior who is pursuing higher education in an energy-related field and has demonstrated exceptional leadership on behalf of Project Green Schools. This scholarship honors impactful environmental leadership that takes place beyond the walls of a traditional school and out in our communities. This change maker has made a real difference in the lives of many, and we anticipate great things to come in this young person’s future!
Project Green Schools |3 Village Green North #311 PMB 191, Plymouth, MA 02360 | info@projectgreenschools.org  www.projectgreenschools.org