“Working with the EarthWays Sustainability Network helped Brown [Elementary School] look at their waste and understand the recycling system better so that they understood what changes would need to happen to begin reducing waste in the cafeteria. Once they knew what they wanted to do, the students were motivated to learn all they could to help make a case for their opinion that plastic utensils were bad for the school. Their participation in this program helped empower them to make a change in their world and taught them that even kids can change the world for the better.” – Brandi McKenna, Brown Elementary
Learn how you or a teacher you know can empower their students to change the world through the EarthWays Sustainability Network (ESN). This is a network of educators that are dedicated to learning more about waste, waste reduction, recycling and their schools. ESN teachers train with EarthWays Center staff for a year learning about solid waste issues, discovering ways to reduce waste in their school, and implementing new projects to reduce waste and increase recycling rates in the community.
In this program, teachers and schools receive:
- Pre and post waste audit with EarthWays staff support
- One-on-one support from EarthWays staff
- Support of fellow cohort members
- Professional development workshop
- Stipend to purchase materials for waste reduction project
- Preferential scheduling for outreach programs, field trip scholarships, and STEM Nights
EarthWays staff is starting to accept new schools into the network for the 2021-22 school year. To be eligible for the network, schools must be located in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County, or Jefferson County. This program is flexible with all school social distancing and health regulations. If you would like to receive more information about participating in ESN, please contact Maggie at mmccoy@mobot.org. Get more details, read about past projects, and find an application at the EarthWays Sustainability Network web page.
You can also seek out additional information about ESN in this Discover+ Share blog.
