U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools (ED-GRS) has introduced a new Postsecondary Sustainability Award for the 2014-2015 cycle.  In addition to a total of five school and district nominees, each state may nominate one postsecondary institution for exemplary achievement in all three Pillars.  For this award, state selection committees are particularly encouraged to document how the nominees’ sustainability work has reduced college costs, increased completion rates, led to employment, and ensured robust civic skills among graduates; and to make an effort to consider diverse types of institutions.  Interested colleges and universities should contact their state higher education authorities for information on how to apply in their states.

Like the PK-12 awards, this category is entirely voluntary.  Hearing from interested colleges and universities may be helpful to state authorities considering 2014-2015 participation. State higher education authorities should contact U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools for more information.  They can find updated criteria and other state implementation guidance on our website.  All state authorities are encouraged to indicate their intent to nominate in 2015 by August 1, 2014. 

Competitions vary by state, but most states will be posting their applications in the fall with deadlines to submit to them in the winter. State authorities’ school, district and postsecondary nominations are due to ED by February 1, 2015.  Interested PK-12 schools and districts should continue to contact their state education agencies about the school and district award applications.  Have doubts about ED-GRS?  Some Frequently Asked Questions on all three award categories are available here.

Boston Latin School, founded in 1635, is the oldest public school in the country, and the largest school in the Boston Public School district, serving 2,400 students in grades 7–12. Students founded the Youth Climate Action Network (YouthCAN), an active after-school club that has implemented transformative sustainability initiatives.  Outdoor raised vegetable gardens, student-designed rain catchment systems, rooftop weather stations, a vertical garden in the cafeteria, a rooftop solar array, a state of the art hydroponic vegetable farm, a $75,000 energy lighting retrofit saving 200,000 KWh of energy/year, and a real-time building energy dashboard are just a few examples of the hands on learning components that students have fundraised for and implemented at the school.  YouthCAN has initiated educational and health programs for teachers and students alike, launching a school-wide “Get Informed” speaker series. >>>  

(Pictured left: On May 28th, several state officials and ED-GRS Director Andrea Falken received a student-led tour by Boston Latin School YouthCAN members.)

Lenawee Intermediate School District TECH Center, in Adrian, Mich. has set aside a 10-acre parcel for students to learn how to convert conventionally farmed land to certified organic production.  Students are experimenting with vertical growing systems, hydroponics, and aquaponics. They test different varieties of compostable planters for local businesses. Students raise broiler chickens using free range practices and organic feeds to evaluate differences between conventional and natural husbandry.  A vermicomposting system was put in place to recycle food waste from the LISD TECH Center’s Culinary Arts program.  A team of students won Gold medals at the state Future Farmers of American competition for their pasture-raised pig project.  Biochemical technology students are working with Michigan State University Extension and Agri-Tech students to grow canola and make biodiesel fuel.  Agricultural waste from the site is made into ethanol through students’ study and hands-on work with cellulosic ethanol production. >>> 

Willamette High School, in Eugene, Ore., is a district leader in new facility management approaches. WHS recycles over 2,000 pounds of material every week, which is a 48 percent increase from 2010. A sizable outdoor school garden features more than two dozen large, raised beds that serve as skills training for students.  With assistance from local business partners, students operate aquaponic and aeroponic gardens, as well as a self-contained indoor hydroponic garden.  An array of civic engagement classes with hands-on learning components boosts individual development and team-building skills.  These classes range from the Willamette Improvement Team, which beautifies the school campus and creates a safe environment, to an Electrathon class, where students build electric go-cart sized cars and compete in races around the Pacific Northwest.  2014 has brought the construction of a new science wing.  The additional space will provide an opportunity to raise the level of integrated sustainability education for students.    >>>

App of Note: The Great Outdoors in the Palm of Your Hand

Disneynature Explore combines an augmented reality experience with animal behavior game play to encourage children ages 4-8 to get outside and connect with nature. The technology allows 3-D images of animals to appear in the camera's viewer, providing wild adventures in a child's own backyard.  View surroundings through a butterfly’s eyes, follow tracks along with the bear to find its cub, and crack a nut like a chimpanzee. Additional features include a Spanish option, suggestions for outdoor play, photo journal capabilities, and fun sound effects. There is also an accompanying educator guide. >>> 

Share Your Earth Changing Moment

The National Environmental Education Foundation invites you to participate in the My Earth Changing Moments campaign.  Earth Changing Moments are inspirational photo, video or mini-essay stories of an individual’s unique first connection with the environment.  The campaign asks you share your ‘aha moment’ about the environment with others and expand our national conversation on the environment.  To get started, you can view Cee Lo Green and EPA Deputy Administrator Bob Perciasepe sharing their Earth Changing Moments >>> 

STEM Photography Competition

The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History in Albuquerque, NM, is hosting a STEM photography competition and accepting entries through August, 29 2014.  Anyone with an interest in STEM is asked to enter the “Atomic STEaM Photography Show" for a chance to win a cash prize and have their science, technology, engineering, art, or mathematics photos displayed in a nationally accredited, Smithsonian affiliated museum, from November 8 through January 4, 2015. >>>