January 2015 News

In This Issue
Inspired 10-yr-old Helps Change Town Law
Green Mountain College Full Tuition Scholarship
Apply for 2015 Student Climate & Conservation Congress
Conserve School Winter Fun
10 Semesters Schools that High School Students Should Consider
Must Watch!
Student-Designed Ultra-Light Car
2015 Climate Change Academy
Second Nature Internship Open
Green Fundraiser for Schools
Climate Change is NOT an Illusion
Student Summit
Grant and Scholarship Opportunities

Join National Green Schools Society


 

 

National Green Schools Society provides a structured chapter-based program for high-achieving, environmentally focused students to create extraordinary impact in schools, organizations, and communities while getting the recognition they deserve on a state and national level. The NGSS program develops bright, civic-minded, environmentally literate citizens. By establishing a NGSS chapter in your school, students in grades 2 through 12 will advance their passion for preserving the environment through environmental service projects, leadership, and activism.  

 

Learn More and Start a Chapter Today!

 

Interact With Green Schools!


 

Green Schools Sponsors

 

 

 

  

 

Student Partners 

 

 

 


 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

  

 


Join Our Mailing List! 

 

 

 
  
 
Happy New Year!  We hope everyone had a happy holiday and have been able to get back into the grove of work and school these past two weeks. 

Speaking of school, do you know an outstanding and inspiring math or science teacher? Teachers who serve as role models to their students and their colleagues? If so, consider nominating a teacher for the 2015 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. 

Teachers of grades 7-12 mathematics and science are eligible for nomination for the 2015 Presidential Awards.  Teachers of grades K-6 will be eligible for the 2016 Presidential Awards.
 
In order to apply for the 2015 PAEMST, a teacher must be nominated.  Anyone (e.g., superintendents, principals, teachers, students, and other members of the general public) may nominate a teacher.  Self-nominations will also be accepted.


 

Each Presidential Awardee will receive a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation. Each Awardee will also be invited, along with a guest, to attend recognition events in Washington, D.C.


 

The nomination form is available for you to copy and distribute.  NOMINATION DEADLINE: April 1, 2015. 


 

Nominations may also be submitted by going to www.paemst.org.   For further information, email the Educator Recognition mailbox at [email protected]



Inspired 10-yr-old Helps Change Town Law Prohibiting Solar Panels

 

The Young Voices for the Planet films EMPOWER YOUTH. After watching the films, then-10-year-old Alice founded the club "Save Tomorrow". When the club found that their town had banned solar panels on town buildings, they addressed the town meeting. Alice testified: "We don't think they're unsightly; to us they mean we're doing something about climate change. To us they mean that we might have a future." Another member of "Save Tomorrow" asked, "Do you love your children? Do you even care about us?" 


 

The kids got a standing ovation and solar panels were installed. Youth are the best messengers for they will bear the brunt of climate disruption.

Meet now 11-year-old Alice at the Belmont World Film 12th Annual Family Film Festival in Arlington and Belmont, MA. January 16-19, 2015

Check out Young Voices for the Planet film

Green Mountain College Full Tuition Scholarship


 

Green Mountain College is conducting an ongoing search to find students who have somehow made a significant contribution to a fellow human, to society or toward conservation and sustainability. We want to encourage the leaders of tomorrow and reward this contribution with a full tuition scholarship including fees, room, and board to Green Mountain -- a college that will foster their ideals and their desire to engage in and promote leadership practiced not for self-aggrandizement but for the greater good.

 

Click to learn more, fill out a nomination form and download an application

 

Applications must be received by March 1, 2014. Students must be applying for Fall admission and must have completed a FAFSA by March 1.  For additional information please contact the Office of Admissions at (800) 776-6675 or via e-mail at [email protected].
 

Nomination Period is Open!
The 21st Annual Secretary's Awards for Excellence in Energy and Environmental Education nomination period is OPEN!!  

Please note this a Massachusetts only program. 


The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) in collaboration with the Secretaries Advisory Group on Energy and Environmental Education (SAGEEE) and the Massachusetts Environmental Trust (MET) conducts an annual award program to recognize schools and teachers (K-12 ) across the Commonwealth for their outstanding efforts in furthering energy and environmental education initiatives at their schools.

EEA solicits nominations early in the calendar year. Schools and organizations that voluntarily incorporate environmental education into public or private school curricula are eligible. The awards, funded by MET, are intended to support further environmental education initiatives at the schools.


 Each spring, EEA honors energy and environmental education programs at the annual Secretary's Awards for Excellence in Energy and Environmental Education in the Statehouse. Awards have been given since 1994.


 

SAGEEE is comprised of environmental educators from state agencies, non-profits, industry and academia scored the project applications.


 


Click for More Information
 
Apply for 2015 Student Climate & Conservation Congress

Applications Now Open - June 21-27, 2015

 

Apply or Nominate Today

 

The Nation's Premier Student Environmental Training Program

 

Students (and a limited number of faculty or staff) are invited to apply to become U.S. Green School Fellows and participate in the 2015 Sc3 Congress.

 

Sc3 empowers outstanding high school students, entering 9th to 12th grade next fall, with the skills, knowledge and tools necessary to address climate and conservation challenges and better serve their schools and communities.

 

 

 AMP IT UP! Challenge
  
 Join the Challenge! Right now, students across the state are creating videos about a product made in Massachusetts. Products include video games, jet engines, medical devices, and more.
Visit ampitupma.com/challenge for a list of manufacturers in MA.

Be one of eleven lucky winners. One middle school and one high school from all five regions in the state will each win $2,500 in grant funding. And one video will take the grand prize of $5,000. 

Join the AMP IT UP! Challenge
 
Conserve School Winter Fun

Students had fun skating in the evening with LED lights attached to their skates, hands, and coats. Here are some extended exposure pictures of the skaters taken by Dusty Swanson. See more photos  


 

 

 

10 Semester Schools That High School Students Should Consider

MARCH 1, 2014 BY COURTNEY COOK

 


 

There are many alternative schools that people know about on the North Shore, but have you ever heard of a semester school?

 

Semester schools are accredited boarding schools for high school and gap-year students looking to dive deep into specialized curriculums for one semester. With a price tag about equal to half a year's tuition at an independent boarding school, they are academically rigorous and provide ample opportunity for students to flourish in and outside the classroom. Kids who attend will gather in-depth knowledge of the specialty of the school they are attending, as well as community skills acquired by living with a small group of people, particularly in dorms. They aim to cultivate independence, active participation and creative thought.


Read Entire Article

 

Must Watch! The Children's Climate Crusade 

 

The Children?s Climate Crusade
The Children?s Climate Crusade

 

1,300 MPG Student-Designed Ultra-Light Car Runs on a Tiny Lawnmower Engine

Students at Brigham Young University in Utah have designed a car that can travel the distance from Utah to Michigan on a single gallon of fuel. The fish-shaped car-which weighs less than 100 pounds and gets an astounding 1,300 miles per gallon-will participate at this year's SAE Supermileage Competition, an annual contest that challenges students to create the most fuel-efficient vehicle in North America.

 
Read more

 

Apply for 2015 Climate Change Academy in Alaska

Student Applications due February 27, 2015

 

No Barriers Youth, in partnership with the National Park Service, is excited to invite your school to be part of an amazing educational travel program to participate in an expedition to the 2015 Climate Change Academy in Alaska, partially funded by the National Park Service!

 

Participants in this program will be immersed in the topic of climate change and will study its major aspects - from causes, to effects, to possible solutions. More than just a fun trip, this program is interdisciplinary, not purely science-focused, and involves a comprehensive educational experience by emphasizing leadership, service and stretching comfort zones before, during, and after the expedition. 

 

Click for Full Application and Details 

 

Second Nature Internship Open, Spring 2015

 

 

Second Nature is a Boston-based non-profit organization working to create a sustainable society by transforming higher education. Accomplished through a variety of initiatives including the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) a program with over 680 colleges and universities where the presidents have committed to carbon neutrality and climate action on their campuses.  

 

Position Details: Second Nature offers a dynamic and creative work environment with a customized experience for each intern designed to be challenging and build desired skill-sets. These positions have a flexible work schedule with approximately a 4-5 month, 15-20 hour a week commitment. Interns will have direct supervision from Second Nature staff beginning in Jan/February 2015 and ending April/May 2015, both local and remote options are available. This is a paid internship, and can also be completed for credit. 

 

Click for more information and to apply for this position

 

Huge Green Fundraiser for Schools

 

Climate Change is Elementary: Huge Green Fundraiser for Schools 

 
When a family purchases existing energy or water saving products from a hardware or big box store, they swipe their GreenActionCard™.  The magnetic strip on the card automatically gives the purchaser a discount and sends a rebate to the school issuing the card.  Or the family can purchase online at a discount using GreenActionApp™ and their school gets a similar rebate.

Learn More about Climate Change is Elementary and how you can bring this fundraiser to your school. 

Green Schools - Climate Change is NOT an Illusion
Green Schools- Climate Change is NOT an Illusion
Green Schools- Climate Change is NOT an Illusion

 

 
JOIN US in Virginia Beach!!

Join us for the Student Summit! 

 

March 4-7 2015 | Virginia Beach 

 

REGISTER TODAY!!
 

This year's Student Summit is designed to educate, empower, and inspire middle and high school students as our next generation of leaders. The Green Schools National  Conference Student Summit will equip students with 21st century skills, knowledge, and resources to help impact their schools and communities.  Throughout the Summit, students will be able to explore and develop solutions on critical environmental topics including; Energy, Climate, Outdoor Learning & Exploration, Food Systems & Agriculture, Sustainable Careers and more,. There will be many opportunities to engage with professionals from business, government, nonprofit and education sectors. All sessions are designed to be interactive and foster collaboration. 

 

Grant and Scholarship Opportunities

Captain Planet Foundation Grants - Deadline: January 31, 2015
Captain Planet Foundation will accept small grant requests for amounts between $500 - $2,500. All proposed activities must be project-based, projects must be performed by youth; and projects must have real environmental outcomes. Learn More
  

Campus Kitchen Launch Grant -  Deadline: February 1, 2015

The Campus Kitchens project has numerous funding options and $5,000 grant opportunities available to schools across the country to help with the planning and implementation of a Campus Kitchen. The Campus Kitchens Project is a national non-profit that empowers student leaders to create innovative and sustainable solutions to hunger.  Learn More

 

2015 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards - Deadline: February 2, 2015

The twelve award-winning programs this year will each receive $10,000 and an invitation to accept their award from the President's Committee's Honorary Chairman, First Lady Michelle Obama, at a ceremony at the White House. After-school and out-of-school time arts and humanities programs are encouraged to apply. Learn More

 

Karma for Cara Foundation Micro-grants - Deadline: Rolling

 The Karma for Cara Foundation is encouraging kids 18 and under to apply for funds between $250 and $1,000 to complete service projects in their communities. Whether it is turning a vacant lot into a community garden, rebuilding a school playground or helping senior citizens get their homes ready for winter, they want to hear what project you're passionate about. Learn More


VolunTEEN Nation International Service Project Grants - Dealine: Rolling 

Students (ages 13-22) from the United States going abroad to volunteer or study in a developing country are encouraged to apply for an international service-learning mini-grant from VolunTEEN Nation. Grants are for up to $300 to create a service project in a developing country while you are visiting that country. Learn More
 
 

Sincerely,

Robin Organ

Founder and Executive Director

Green Schools