February 2015 News

In This Issue
Green Schools Participates in White House Student Roundtable
Green Mountain College Full Tuition Scholarship
PIAEE and PEYA Awards
Nominate an Inspiring Teacher Today
Students in Action at Boston Green Academy
Young Voices for the Planet
Washoe County Idle Free Schools Campaign
Inspiring News from Our Youth
Northeast Farm to Institution Summit
Apply for 2015 Student Climate & Conservation Congress
Fellowship and Internship Opportunities
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

 

 

 

  

Konica Minolta

 

Student Partners 

 

 

 


 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

  

 


Join Our Mailing List! 

 

 

 

Don't Delay! There's still time to join us at the Green Schools National Conferrence Student Summit!!

Check out a video of last year's Summit
Green Schools National Conference -Student Summit 2014
Green Schools National Conference -Student Summit 2014

Virginia Beach March 4-7, 2015



Green Schools Participates in Champions of Change-Student Roundatable on Climate Literacy

Green Schools and National Green Schools Society participate in White House Student Roundtable on Climate Literacy!  Also joined by Green Schools partners and collaborator Greening Forward, Conserve It Forward, Manchester Essex Regional School District, and Green Schools National Network.

 

 

Green Schools Participates in Champions of Change-Student Roundatable on Climate Literacy
Green Schools Participates in Champions of Change-Student Roundatable on Climate Literacy

 

Video created by Sam Koufman, National Green Schools Society Co-President and high school student at Manchester Essex Regional High School  

 

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 admiss@greenmtn.edu.
 

Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators and President's Environmental Youth Award Applications Open

 

Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators

 

Deadline: March 13, 2015

 

Are you a teacher, or do you know an outstanding teacher who uses innovative approaches to teach about environmental education? 

 

The EPA recognizes outstanding K through 12th grade teachers who integrate environmental education through innovative, place based and experiential learning approaches and use the environment as a context for learning in public school programs across the country.

The President's Environmental Youth Award
The PEYA program promotes awareness of our nation's natural resources and encourages positive community involvement. Since 1971, the President of the United States has joined with EPA to recognize young people across the U.S. for protecting our nation's air, water, land, and ecology.

Application period open in the spring 2015. Applications accepted through December 31, 2015. 

Click to Learn More about Both Awards

Nominate an Inspiring Teacher Today

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 educatorrecognition@doe.mass.edu

   
Keep The Earth Green With PlanetAid
 

Did you know that Americans throw away 12 million tons of textiles every year? Planet Aid's yellow recycling bins are helping to save used and unwanted clothing from needless disposal by making it more convenient to recycle at your school or in your community. Find out how you can host your own yellow bin, organize your own service project, or more by visiting the Planet Aid Schools' webpage or by contacting your local Planet Aid office.

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
 
Spotlight on One More Generation 

One More Generation (OMG) was founded back in 2009 by two Georgia students who are trying to make a difference.  Since starting OMG, Olivia (now 12.5) and her brother Carter (now 14) have created a global organization which focuses on empowering youth around the world in three main areas. Animal ConservationEnvironmental Conservation and Youth Empowerment

Since learning about the issue of Plastic Pollution while helping with the animal rescue efforts in the Gulf during the BP Gulf oil spill, Carter and Olivia have authored a weeklong Plastic and Recycling Awareness Curriculum which is now available to schools nationwide and has already been introduced in South Africa and will be soon implemented in the UK and Australia.  OMG founders also get involved with hosting environmental community outreach programs around the country designed to help communities find ways they can increase environmental education and awareness throughout schools and community organizations.

OMG strives to inspire others and show everyone that "Anybody can make a difference... if we can, you can too." 


Pictured: Carter and Olivia Ries, Co-Founders of OMG

Students in Action at Boston Green Academy

In the fall of this school year, students in Mrs. Golden's environmental science class, at the Boston Green Academy, debated the sustainability of tap water versus bottled water. Their conclusion: tap water is economically, environmentally and socially more responsible. Their next step: take action against bottled water.


 

In November, they campaigned in their community against the Bottle Bill and in December they created a Kickstarter to replace Boston Green Academy's imported bottled water with permanent fountains that filter water straight from the tap.


 
Learn more about the students and their innovative campaign!

 

Young Voices for the Planet Films Teacher Guide

Teachers take a look at this amazing resource of films and related curriculum from Young Voices for the Planet when it comes to teaching and empowering the next generation of young voices. 

Listen to a radio interview about the Teacher Guide that goes with the films "Empowering Young Voices For the Planet"

  

Washoe County Idle Free Schools Campaign

"In the 2013-14 school year, Idle Free Schools was a pilot program run by six local high schools, and supported by GREENevada and ACE, as a contest to reduce car and bus idling. Students monitored current idling practices at their school to establish a baseline. Initially, the average total idle time of cars and buses at the end of the school day was 150 minutes. Yikes!

 

Following this, students began an outreach campaign to their school communities to educate them about the benefits of not idling. Less air pollution and cleaner air makes for healthier lungs, less CO2 is great for climate change, less engine noise makes for safer parking lots and less idling means more money in your pocket. Better health, environment, safety, and increased economic rewards were all benefits. What's not to love? As our slogan said: "Turn your key and be Idle Free."



Learn More about ACE

Inspiring News from Our Youth
Northeast Farm to Institution Summit

Join the Farm to Insitution Summit!

Date: April 7-9, 2015
Location: UMass Amherst, Amherst, MA

he 2015 Farm to Institution Summit will bring together leaders from the region who are working to increase use of regionally grown food by schools, colleges and health care facilities.

 

Learn More

 

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.

 

 

Fellowship and Internship Opportunities
Grant and Scholarship Opportunities

 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