Applications open for 2024 Outdoor Classroom Challenge! | |
|
We are pleased to announce that applications for our 2024 Outdoor Classroom Challenge are open!
Through the Outdoor Classroom Challenge, Project Green Schools is challenging schools nationwide to develop and implement a meaningful outdoor classroom and learning space. Schools compete for a Grand Prize of $10,000 to further enhance or create a new space.
Schools should submit a formal write-up, proposed budget, and design of their outdoor learning classroom/space by January 19th.
Project Green Schools will invite schools with the top five designs to pitch their ideas to a panel of judges in Spring 2024 to determine the $10,000 winner.
Finalists will be announced in February 2024.
Application Deadline: 11:59 pm EST Friday, January 19th, 2024. All U.S.-based schools Pre-K – 12 are eligible to apply.
Learn more and apply:
https://projectgreenschools.org/outdoor-classroom-challenge/
| |
Project Green Schools at the EPA's National Youth Advisory Council Launch in Washington, D.C.! | |
|
Project Green Schools was thrilled to attend the launch of the EPA's first-ever National Environmental Youth Advisory Council (NEYAC)! The newly established council is set to provide independent policy advice and recommendations to U.S. EPA Administrator Michael Regan on environmental issues impacting youth.
| |
“Young people have been at the forefront of every movement for political and social change in American history, and the environmental movement is no different. Today we are cementing seats for young leaders at EPA’s table as we tackle the greatest environmental challenges of our time,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “President Biden is committed to ensuring everyone in this country has access to clean air, safe water and healthy land, now and for generations to come. With the support of the spectacular young leaders selected today, we will deliver on his clear vision for a brighter and healthier future.” | |
|
“Young people understand the urgency of addressing climate change, as they will be the generation most directly affected by its devastating consequences,” said U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders. “I am pleased that the EPA’s National Environmental Youth Advisory Council will give young people a voice to address this existential crisis. We must act aggressively to move away from fossil fuels and make sure the planet we leave for our kids and future generations is healthy and habitable.”
Read the full EPA Press Release:
https://www.epa.gov/faca/national-environmental-youth-advisory-council-council-members
| |
|
Congratulations to all of the young leaders selected for this prestigious opportunity!
New Members of the EPA's National Environmental Youth Advisory Council
-
Alexandra Angerman, 25, Wrangell, AK
-
Asada Rashidi, 22, Newark, NJ
-
Colton Buckley, 29, Gatesville, TX
-
Emmanuel Alcantar, 27, Los Angeles, CA
-
Gabriel Nagel, 18, Denver, CO
-
Kiera O’Brien, 25, Washington, DC
-
Kristy Drutman, 28, Weehawken, NJ
-
Lisette Perez, 24, Chicago, IL
-
Meghana Kunapareddy, 18, Katy, TX
-
Nicholas Blumenthal, 21, Sioux City, IA
-
Osasenaga Idahor, 20, Hyde Park, MA
-
Page Tsirigotis, 19, Chapel Hill, NC
-
Rachel Billiot-Bruleigh, 27, Gretna, LA
-
Shannen Maxwell, 27, Mexico, MO
-
Sophia Kianni, 21, McLean, VA
-
Wanjiku “Wawa” Gatheru, 24, Philadelphia, PA
| |
Green Difference Award Spotlight: Maanit Goel | |
|
Maanit Goel designed and programmed PokokEd, an educational, gamified digital simulation of palm oil cultivation for classroom use.
PokokEd simulates the palm oil cultivation process from a smallholder’s perspective, putting students in the shoes of palm oil farmers in countries like Indonesia and Malaysia. The game tackles important social and environmental issues inherent to the palm oil industry, such as child labor and rainforest deforestation, and teaches students about different approaches to palm oil sustainability.
Through the game, Maanit aims to help mobilize students in consumer markets to take informed approaches towards palm oil sustainability from abroad and inspire them to consider the global natures of consumer product supply chains and how consumer choices abroad can influence sustainable and ethical practices in producer regions.
In addition to the game, Maanit developed a full lesson plan and resources for classrooms. Hundreds of students have accessed the lessons and game.
Check out the rest of our 2023 Green Difference Award winners here
| |
Meet the Newest Member of our National Youth Council! | |
|
We are excited to welcome Kayla Hu to the Project Green Schools' National Youth Council!
National Youth Council students are difference-makers who are invited to participate in important regional, national, and world events. All students who are in grades 5-12 are eligible to take part in National Youth Council meetings. Learn more about joining National Youth Council here.
Meet the rest of our 2023 - 2024 student changemakers here!
| |
Register for Earth Prize 2024: Applications Close November 30th! | |
|
The Earth Prize is a $200,000 environmental sustainability competition for teenage students across the globe. The Earth Prize will recognize the students and schools with the best solutions to accelerate positive change toward environmental sustainability, as judged by The Earth Prize Adjudicating Panel.
The Earth Prize rewards the solutions with the most potential to solve environmental problems.
- $100,000 for the winning team, to be split between their school and the team members
- $25,000 for each of the three runner-up schools
- $10,000 for the Educator of the Year
- $5,000 for each of the three Mentors of the Year
Apply now to share your solutions to the environmental challenges facing our planet!
Registration ends tomorrow, November 30th!
To learn more and apply, please visit The Earth Prize
| |
2022 Outdoor Classroom Challenge Winner recognized | |
American Climate Leadership Awards for High School Students | |
|
ecoAmerica has launched the American Climate Leadership Awards for High School Students in an effort to recognize and reward the high school students at the forefront of climate action and advocacy work!
Promoted with the support of youth climate leaders, non-profits, teachers, principals associations, guidance counselors, and school boards nationally, ecoAmerica is providing $125,000 in prizes for high school students, clubs, classes, teacher-sponsored programs, and student-led nonprofits working to make progress at the local level.
16 applicants will be recognized at the awards broadcast in Spring 2024. 10 semifinalists will receive $5,000 each in recognition of their efforts; 5 finalists will receive $10,000 each to further their work; and 1 winner will receive a total of $25,000.
Applications are due by Dec. 15th!
Learn more and apply here: https://ecoamerica.org/american-climate-leadership-awards-high-school-2024/
| |
|
In August, Mock COP hosted their Education Ministers Summit, aiming to mobilize young people from around the globe as national delegates who will assess the current state of climate education in their country and create a unified ask for education and environment ministers ahead of COP28.
In total, 227 students from 89 countries participated as delegates and assessed the climate education in their countries.
As a result, Mock COP has released their first-ever Youth Declaration on Quality Climate Education!
"We, 227 national youth delegates of the Mock COP Mock Education Ministers' Summit from 89 countries, have come together to raise ambition for quality climate education.
We are facing unprecedented challenges as the climate emergency and ecological crisis worsens, and we believe quality climate education can not only help us understand the crises we face, but can equip us to tackle them and build a just, equitable, sustainable future.
Yet, our current education system is failing us. It is not preparing young people to face the effects of the climate crisis nor to understand solutions to the climate crisis, biodiversity collapse and large-scale environmental degradation. Our governments are not taking sufficient action, so we have taken it into our own hands.
This statement is the culmination of delegates' country statements on climate education and puts forward the first-ever unified youth definition of quality climate education alongside our asks for world leaders to act on. We urgently call for our Education Ministers to take meaningful action to implement and advance quality climate education."
Read the full declaration:
https://www.mockcop.org/mock-education-ministers-summit/
| |
Shane McConkey EcoChallenge: Win up to $27,250! | |
|
Do you or your students have an awesome environmental project in the works? Submit it to the Shane McConkey EcoChallenge and compete for a chance to win up to $27,250 in prize money!
Launched eight years ago, the Shane McConkey EcoChallenge empowers young people to learn about environmental issues in their community, engage in critical thinking to identify innovative solutions, and take action as EcoChallengers for the planet.
The competition is open to individuals or teams of students (pre-K through undergraduate students). Students under the age of 18 must have an adult advisor.
Projects are due by April 24th!
Learn more and apply here
https://shanemcconkey.org/ecochallenge/
| |
Reminder: U.S. EPA Opened Applications for the 2024 President's Environmental Student and Teacher Awards | |
|
The U.S. EPA has announced that the EPA's Office of Environmental Education is requesting applications for the 2024 President's Environmental Youth Awards (PEYA) and the Presidential Innovation Awards for Environmental Educators (PIAEE).
Each year, these programs recognize the outstanding environmental stewardship and education efforts of students and teachers across the nation.
For PEYA, EPA will select up to two winners in each of the agency's 10 regions: one regional winner for Grades K-5 and one regional winner for Grades 6–12.
For PIAEE, up to two teachers from each of EPA's 10 regions, each from different states, will be selected to receive the award. Teachers will receive a presidential plaque and an award of up to $2,500 to be used to further professional development in environmental education. The winners' local education agencies will also receive awards of up to $2,500 to fund environmental educational activities and programs.
Applications are due by Monday, January 15, 2024.
To learn more and apply, please visit the EPA's website:
PEYA information and application
PIAEE information and application
| |
Apply to Your State to Become a 2024 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School! | |
|
Launched in 2011, the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools is a recognition award that honors public and private schools ranging from elementary, middle, and high schools to districts and postsecondary institutions. The Green Ribbon program honors schools and districts that are demonstrating leadership in three Pillars: 1) reducing environmental impact and costs; 2) improving health and wellness; and 3) offering effective environmental and sustainability education.
Deadlines vary by state. Applications for many states will close around the winter holidays.
Apply to your state now to become a 2024 Green Ribbon School!
| |
Next Gen Professional Development Program | |
|
Next Gen is a professional development program for undergraduate students interested in a career in buildings and the clean energy economy. By focusing on students from underserved and underrepresented communities, the program is designed to foster the next generation of diverse buildings industry leaders, and in doing so, bolster inclusivity in the buildings industry at large.
They are accepting student applications for the 2023-2024 Next Gen on a rolling basis until spaces are filled.
Learn more and apply:
https://gettingtozeroforum.org/next-gen-application/
| |
Leading Change: The Importance of Youth in Civic Engagement | Conservation in the Classroom | |
|
Youth activist Alexia Leclercq has been instrumental in fighting against pollution and injustice in their community. At 22 years old, Alexia has led dozens of environmental justice campaigns including the passing of national climate and chemical reform legislation, fighting for clean water and addressing aggregate mining pollution.
In this session, Alexia will share her journey as a young person that went from feeling disempowered to cofounding a conservancy to protect the Colorado River. She will also focus on important history and organizing strategies that oppressed people have used to fight for liberation, and how youth play a pivotal role in leading change for people and the planet.
Suggested grade level: 6th-10th
Tune in January 18th at 1:30 pm EST | 10:30 am PST
To learn more and register, please visit WWF's Conservation in the Classroom.
| |
|
Calendar of Events/Days to Celebrate
November
- 26th through 28th: 18th UN Climate Change Conference of Youth (COY18)
- 30th through December 12th: UN Climate Change Conference (COP 28)
December
- 21st/22nd: Winter Solstice
January
- 1st: New Year’s Day– Resolve to go GREEN!
- 19th: Outdoor Classroom Challenge Application Deadline
| |
Project Green Schools |3 Village Green North #311 PMB 191, Plymouth, MA 02360 | info@projectgreenschools.org www.projectgreenschools.org
| | | | |
