March 2018
Now Accepting Nominations for Green Difference Awards 2018

Nominate Green Schools Leaders for the 10th Annual Green Difference Awards!

Nominate a Green Difference Maker  today  through our  online application! Applications due March 22, 2018.

Project Green Schools honors and recognizes Outstanding National Environmental Education & STEM Education efforts led in our Schools & Communities at our Annual  Green Difference Awards .

This event will take place at the MA State House – Great Hall April 13, 2018

Green Difference Makers can be: Principals, Teachers, Advisors, Citizens, Schools, Students, or School Groups/Clubs.
 
Awards will be given in the following areas:
Outstanding Green Superintendent/Principal
Outstanding Green Educator/Program Director
Outstanding Green Community Hero
Outstanding Green Student [Elementary/Middle/High]
Outstanding Commitment to Greenovation [GREEN + STEM + Innovation]
Outstanding School-led Project in Energy
Outstanding School-led Sustainability Project in Sports
Outstanding Global School-led Project in Climate Action
SUSTAINABILITY AWARD – Outstanding Environmental Education Program w/Proven Track Record of 5+ years!
Lifetime Achievement Award for a hero who has dedicated his or her life to Green Education
President's Environmental Youth Award - Application Period Open

The President’s Environmental Youth Award (PEYA) recognizes outstanding environmental projects by K-12 youth. 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 for protecting our nation's air, water, land, and ecology. It is one of the most important ways EPA and the Administration demonstrate commitment to environmental stewardship efforts created and conducted by our nation's youth. Applications are due by March 1, 2018.

Denver, Colorado
May 3-4, 2018

The Green Schools Conference & Expo (GSCE) is the premier education and engagement opportunity for leaders and advocates who are passionate about the future of healthy, sustainable schools throughout the country and around the world. GSCE is the only event to bring together all of the players involved in making green schools a reality: the people who lead, operate, build and teach in our nation’s schools.

The 2018 GSCE will be held May 3-4 in Denver, CO, and co-located with Rocky Mountain Green, a regional sustainability conference. The event will feature pre-conference workshops and two days of conference programing, kicking off with an opening plenary headlined by the renowned author and pioneer of biophilic design, Janine Benyus.

The 2018 conference will focus on ways to inspire students to create and innovate by focusing on the future, encouraging each to approach our global challenges as stewards of the earth, its resources, and its people. Experienced educators will address how green schools impact students and how sustainability efforts at school play an important part in equity and inclusion. Workshops and education sessions by passionate professionals will cover the latest trends and case studies in energy efficiency, facilities management, public health and sustainability education.

GSCE is also proud to host a Student Summit, which brings together youth from around the nation who are committed to making an impact in their schools, communities and in the lives of others. Registration for the Student Summit is available through the general registration portal.

Register today! Visit greenschoolsconference.org for more information. 
Green Ribbon Schools - Application Period Open

Launched by the U.S. Department of Education in 2011, the  Green Ribbon Schools   recognition program honors schools that are exemplary in reducing environmental impact and costs, improving the health and wellness of students and staff, and delivering effective environmental and sustainability education that incorporates Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), civic skills, and green career pathways. Applicants may enter the competition either as a school or as a district. Massachusetts will select one or more schools or districts to be honored at the state level; those honorees are then elevated to the U.S. Department of Education where they will have the opportunity to be honored as a national Green Ribbon School winner.

For Massachusetts:
  • Thursday March 15 - School and district applications due to Massachusetts ESE
  • Friday March 30 - Massachusetts announces state award winners and submits nominees to U.S. Department of Education
  • Earth Day (Sunday April 22) - Honorees announced by U.S. Department of Education
  • Spring/Summer - Honorees awarded at a U.S. Department of Education national ceremony
Application Period Open for Massachusetts' 24th Annual Secretary's Award for Excellence in Energy and Environmental Education

Nominate a student, teacher, program or school/organization for the Secretary’s Award for Excellence in Energy and Environmental Education. MA ONLY. Deadline: March 30, 2018
Schools For Climate Action

Consider getting your schools to join in empowering school leaders to speak up for climate action!

"We are a grassroots, volunteer group of students, parents, teachers, and community members working with school communities and school districts to take a stand against climate change."

Learn more! Join the SCA Mailing List, Like their Facebook page or follow them on Twitter.
News from One of Our PGS Students

Check out and help support the amazing work of Justin, a first grader working to support Save the Frogs!!

His goal is to reach $5,000 combined on the to web pages above to continue his goals below:
 
  1. Restore wetlands
  2. Teach Science through art
  3. Promote Way for Eco-Friendly Living

Support Justin on his Go Fund Me or Donation Page.
2018 Healthy Kids Heroes Announced

"For 2018, there are three heroes. Each is known for effective advocacy and professionalism, the ability to inspire others, and especially for being compassionate, genuine and kind. Their work illustrates the power of... Read More "

Nominations for the "Who is Your 2019 Hero?" will be in the fall.
Win $500 For Your Classroom from EarthEcho

EarthEcho International launched materials for their EarthEcho Expedition: Water by Design for all classrooms to use. " In partnership with our generous sponsors at the  Northrop Grumman Foundation , EarthEcho has committed to engage 500 classrooms in EarthEcho Expedition: Water by Design before the end of this school year. Take a moment today to open up these resources. If you’re a teacher, implement them in your classroom. If you’re not, share them with an educator in your life—a friend, relative, or the teacher of a young person you know. We want to hear from teachers who are using Water by Design materials to help their students be scientifically literate and STEM... Read more ."
North American Marine Environmental Protection Association Contests, Programs, Field Trips and More!

2017 Art Contest: Better Shipping for a Better Future:  this allows K-12 students to creatively express themselves by submitting an original poster to showcase how shipping makes the future better for people or the marine environment, or how shipping can become even more green. Projects will be accepted until  March 30, 2018 . Winners will showcase their work in our 2018 calendar, and there is a first place cash prize. Submission portal link:   http://www.namepa.net/art-contest/ .

Marine Science Call for Papers Competition:  a competition for high school and college undergraduate students to showcase meaningful research projects related to marine science, marine industry, or marine technology. Applications will be accepted until  September 1, 2018 . Scholarship money and networking opportunities will be provided for winners. Submission portal link:  http://www.namepa.net/science-fair/ .

NAMEPA High School Chapter Program:  a unique opportunity for high school students to begin a NAMEPA chapter and lead initiatives that benefit the marine environment. This could include planning a beach clean-up or educational presentation, all with the guidance and materials from NAMEPA. Read more here:  http://www.namepa.net/start-a-chapter/ .

In class presentations or field trips: We offer free educational programming for students all over Connecticut. We are very flexible and will meet the needs of the teacher.

Download or request hard copies of our  free educational materials , including two educator's guides with NGSS aligned lesson plans and educational handouts that can be displayed at school. Find them here:  http://www.namepa.net/education/
Climate Generation: A Will Steger Legacy Educator Trainings

March 12-13, 2018
Wilder Foundation, St. Paul, MN
Registration Fee $80

Join Climate Generation for this two-day intensive workshop designed to empower people to talk about climate change. Understand the powerful factors that shape opinions, and gain the practical skills needed to influence behavior and inspire commitments to solutions.

Participants will have the opportunity to:
  • Learn about climate change and how to decipher credible sources
  • Understand what influences people to make decisions, and how to communicate effectively to inspire solutions
  • Cultivate your own personal climate story and learn how to use it as a tool to build understanding
  • Hear about innovative solutions and opportunities to harness them at the individual and community levels

June 26-28, 2018
St. John’s University, Collegeville, MN
Registration: $200
Lodging: $37/night in double room on campus
22 Clock Hours
Join a network of teachers from across the country dedicated to bringing science, critical thinking, and problem solving about climate change into the classroom!

Participants will have the opportunity to:

  • Hear from experts and scientists on their research on climate science and climate change solutions
  • Dive deep into Climate Generation’s Next Generation Climate curriculum, a six lesson, interdisciplinary, middle school climate change curriculum that has students investigate the cause of the global temperature change, research the major repercussions of climate change, and find out how they can monitor and minimize those repercussions
  • Experience St. John’s University’s 3,000 acre Arboretum, the largest solar array in Minnesota, LEED certified buildings, and much more
Grants, Recognitions, Scholarships, Internships and Competitions

Massachusetts Life Sciences Center Internship Challenge
The program facilitates the placement of college students and recent graduates who are considering career opportunities in the life sciences in paid internships across the state.  Apply Today

This federal funding opportunity is seeking coastal habitat restoration projects that build resilience by conserving and restoring sustainable ecosystem processes and functions, safeguarding people and infrastructure, and facilitating commerce. Mandatory pre-proposals are due by March 7, 2018 . Eligible funding applicants include nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, regional organizations, private (for profit) entities and local, state, and tribal government. 

The grants target water pollution, habitat degradation, and other high-priority environmental issues, in order to foster sustainable coastal and watershed communities in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusett. Pre-proposal due by 5 p.m. EST on March 30, 2018.

For K-12 Educators
July 9-12, 2018 Manhattanville College
Help Us Bring Project Green Schools to More Schools!

People are asking  "What can I do to   protect our environment?"

As the year comes to a close, everyone gets in the giving mood and as you make your end of year donations we'd like to inspire you to inspire students in learning about protecting our environment. Never before has there been a more important time to protect our environment and shape the future.

Creating a culture of environmental concern and action starts with students. In every school. In every state. Across the U.S. And we can make a green difference. From the ground up. 

Project Green Schools has been growing a Giving Tree throughout 2017. We are looking for businesses, organizations, government leaders and individuals who share our vision to make a commitment now and help us grow our Giving Tree. We need your help.

Sprout a new leaf  with your donation .  

Project Green Schools  is developing the next generation of environmental leaders ...(read more) 
THANK YOU to our most recent donors:
Chuck Bates
James Cohen
Vivian James Rigney
June Sidman
Morris Singer
Feature Your Business with Project Green Schools

Consider a listing level that works for you:  
 
Gold Listing - $250...2 Featured Business articles in Newsletter and also shared over PGS Social Media Platform [Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn]. Plus year-round banner ad ½ year on our website. Choose your time of year!
  
Green Listing  - $500... 4 Featured Business articles in Newsletter and also shared over PGS Social Media Platform [Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn]. Plus year-round banner ad full year on our website.

Project Green Schools |P.O. Box 323, Mansfield, MA 02048| info@projectgreenschools.org