Students Joined by Policy Leaders for Mock Session at Rhode Island State House

PROVIDENCE, RI – MAY 24, 2018—Rhode Island students and policy leaders attended a Mock Legislative Session yesterday at the State House presented by Project Green Schools, Rhode Island Department of Education and the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce. The interactive session gave middle and high school students hands-on experience with the legislative process to inspire the next generation of engaged citizens and environmental leaders.

 

“We are so glad to be back at the Rhode Island State House to give students a chance to discuss solutions to real-world sustainability issues in a policy setting,” said Robin Organ, Executive Director of Project Green Schools. “On behalf of Project Green Schools, I would like to thank Leader Joe Shekarchi for sponsoring this event as well as our Mock Session leader, Representative Susan Donovan, and all of today’s participants for facilitating such a thought provoking conversation on policies that can help achieve a healthier planet for all living things.”

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PGS is Teaming Up with Jack Johnson!!

Our organization is teaming up with Jack Johnson on his 2018 Tour and All At Once, a social action network connecting nonprofits with people who want to become active in their local and world community. All At Once comes to life online at www.AllAtOnce.org and at the Jack Johnson concerts where you can get educated, get inspired, and connect face-to-face with us and other local and national non-profits. All At Once promotes sustainable local food systems and plastic free initiatives and encourages action through the Capture Your Commitment campaign. #AAOLocalFood #AAOPlasticFree

HOW YOU CAN TAKE ACTION!

1)     Explore All At Once !  Visit www.AllAtOnce.org to check out what you can do before, during, and after the show to get involved.

2)     Visit us at the show! We will be at Jack Johnson’s concert in Detroit on June 15, 2018 at the DTE Energy Theater. Please come visit us, take environmental action, and enter to win Best Seats in the House – a chance to watch the show from the side of the stage!

3)     Help us raise funds!  Jack Johnson’s charity is matching donations contributed to us at the show or directly to our organization from March 1- June 15, 2018, up to a total of $2500. Make a contribution and your money will be doubled by the Johnson Ohana Foundation!   DONATE NOW

Congratulations to our RI Green Difference Maker Scholarship Winner!

Green Difference Maker Scholarship sponsored by Project Green Schools & National Grid Scholarship - $2,000

The Green Difference Maker Scholarship is given to a graduating senior who has demonstrated exceptional leadership on behalf of Project Green Schools. This scholarship honors impactful environmental leadership that takes place beyond the walls of a traditional school and out in our communities. This change maker has made a real difference in the lives of many, and we anticipate great things to come in this young person’s future! 

Read Tait's Scholarship Essay

Join the Project Green Schools & Coral Restoration Foundation Ocean Ambassador Program

In collaboration with the Coral Restoration Foundation, Project Green Schools is looking for students to participate in a pilot summer leadership institute THIS summer in Key West, Florida. Know any interested students?? Please Nicole, Director of School Engagement, at  nicole.canty@projectgreenschools.org  by June 30th. 

Program Description:  Students will focus on ecological stewardship and global leadership. Through their time on the Keys, students will become Ocean Ambassadors as they learn about current oceanic threats as well as about the importance of spreading the knowledge they have gained about the blight of the coral reefs of the Florida Keys. Focus skills will be on creating effective programs and communicating messages.

Details are as follows:

What : Summer Leadership Institute Pilot

When : July 27-29 (Fri, Sat, Sun)

3 day, 2 night accommodations at Marine Lab (Key Largo)

Cost: $375 per student. This price is all inclusive (meals, lodging, snorkel gear, boat charters for field trips, labs, and evening activities) for 3 days and 2 nights, which is way way less then the cost of hotel rooms and food down on Key Largo.

Project Green Schools Partners with The Friends of Bridges House for Shark Tank-Like Competition

On May 19th New Hampshire First Lady Sununu, Project Green Schools Executive Director and Founder, Robin Organ, New Hampshire students, administrators, educators and businesses gathered at The Friends of Bridges House for their first ever Green Expo. Along with building a network and platform for "access and resources in greening-up schools, business and communities," students submitted sustainability projects to compete in a Shark Tank-like competition. The winning teams earned $2,000 in prize money to help fund their project.

Meet Some of Our World-Changing Students

Meet National Green Schools Society member, Laura West

My name is Laura West, and I'm Senior at Ballston Spa High School. This year, my main goal was to inspire as much of my town of Ballston Spa to alter their lifestyle to reduce our town's carbon footprint. I've hosted a Youth Climate Summit, held a recycling week at my school with information every day on everything about it, I'm holding an Earth Week festival for my community to show them what they can do to help the climate crisis, and I will be writing a proposal for my town to be a 0 carbon community by 2040. I've held several community trash cleanups as well as raising $200 for World Wildlife Fund through a lettuce eating competition. I have been continuing my efforts of getting my school to make better sustainable decisions all year and there has been a noticeably large impact on the student body as a whole.

Meet Green Student Leadership Council member, Devin Milberg

My name is Devin Milberg and I am a founder and the CEO of 3Z Compost - Composting in 3 Easy Steps, and I am currently a Junior at The Dalton School. Organics currently comprise almost 1/5 of NYC waste, and our mission is to divert that waste so that instead of destroying the environment it can be used to benefit the environment. Our plan is to set up compost bins outside of train stations at which people can drop their compost Monday - Friday, 7am -10am. We launched our service March 26th and our first site is on the NW corner of 86th and Broadway (an entrance to the downtown 1 train). In order to drop their compost in our bins, participants buy a 3Z sticker (sold for $1 at the site) and affix it to any bag bag that they have use to collect their organics waste. More information is available at www.3zcompost.weebly.com .

Submit a Workshop for the 2018 Massachusetts Farm to School Conference

On December 6, 2018, Mass. Farm to School will hold its 5th statewide conference, the Massachusetts Farm & Sea to School Conference. This year’s theme is Setting the Table: Communities Creating Change. The conference seeks to amplify traditionally underrepresented voices in the Massachusetts food system and identify strategies and resources for promoting racial equity and social justice as we grow the farm & sea to school movement. We seek workshops that represent a variety of program approaches, reflect the diversity of our state, and promote equity in the farm & sea to school movement. Topics of interest include: Policy efforts & community organizing; school based health & wellness initiatives; racial equity & social justice in the food system; student leadership; community partnerships; cultural diversity in school meals; early childhood initiatives; growing food for institutional markets. Learn more & apply. Deadline June 11, 2018

Support the Compass School's Green Barn Renovation

A PGS Green Difference Award winner and 2017 Green Up New England Challenge Community Impact Award winner, the Compass School is once again doing amazing green work, but they need your help!

The Compass School is working to transform a 1920s abandoned seed barn into their new middle school building. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Please consider supporting this renovation as we sustainably reshape a historic barn into Rhode Island's premier laboratory of innovation in environmental education for middle school students. Barn Flyer

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.

North American Marine Environmental Protection Association Contests, Programs, Field Trips and More!

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/