Investigate Green Schools
What is a Green School?

A Green School is a school building or facility that creates a healthy environment that is conducive to learning while saving energy, resources, and money.  

During the Investigate Green Schools program students and teachers participate in hands-on activities to study energy and energy consumption at their schools, along with other Green Building features, and then become Green School Ambassadors to promote district-wide adoption of energy-efficient policies and upgrades.

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Nearly 20% of all Americans go to school each day.  Approximately one-quarter of the schools in the United States are badly in need of upgrades to improve the overall performance of the building and ensure the well-being of the building’s occupants. Such upgrades assist the schools in becoming GREEN learning  environments. Not only do these green facilities reduce environmental impact by saving energy and resources, they save money for school districts that can be reallocated to support educational programs.

Investigate Green Schools is a program available to upper elementary, middle and high school teachers that will increase knowledge of what makes a green school, outline steps districts can take to green their buildings, and show how schools can lead community-wide sustainability efforts. 

Teachers and students assume the roles of energy auditors, building designers, and  community advocates as Green Building Ambassadors to present the benefits of going green to the public through school board meetings, class projects, public service announcements, and more.

 

Components of "Investigate Green Schools" Program

1) Interested educators take part in logistical meetings to review the program, associated activities, and requirements.

2) Over a semester, EarthWays educators present up to 7 classroom lessons. Lessons will include background on energy production and  consumption, a student-friendly energy/environmental school audit and a student-generated analysis cost/benefit of green school improvements.

3) As Green School Ambassadors, students develop recommendations and  presentations for school building improvements to school/district stakeholders, classmates, and the community to suggest potential changes that will reduce the school’s environmental impact.

 For further information on scheduling and fees for the Investigate Green Schools Program contact Kim Petzing.