Know An Outstanding Environmental Educator?

Know An Outstanding Environmental Educator? 

The applications for 2013-2014 ED Washington and Classroom Teaching Ambassador Fellowships are now available and will close on January 29, 2013. Teaching Ambassador Fellows are outstanding teachers, with a record of leadership, strong communication skills, and insight into educational policy based in classroom expertise. All Teaching Ambassador Fellows spend a year learning about key federal programs and policies; sharing their expertise with federal staff; and providing outreach and communication about federal initiatives to other educators on behalf of the Department. More information>>>

 

3^rd Annual Green Schools National Conference: February 22-24^th 

The 3^rd Annual Green Schools National Conference will take place in West Palm Beach, FL. Breakouts will include health, facilities and environmental education topics. Early registration pricing is in effect through Jan 9.>>> 

 

Mark Your Calendar Now: The Green Strides Webinar Series Continues in 2013

Through the Green Strides Webinar Series hundreds of state, local and school officials and their communities are tuning in to learn how to reduce their schools’ environmental impact and costs; improve health and wellness; and teach effective environmental literacy, including STEM, green careers, and civic engagement.  The Series provides administrators, educators, parents and interested third parties the resources to move toward the exemplary levels of U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools>>>. 

Jan. 9, 2013, 4-5 p.m.: Using Remote Sensing to Quantify Changes over Time (NASA)

Jan. 16, 2013, 4-5 p.m.: Food for Thought: Space Food and Nutrition (NASA)

Jan. 23, 2013, 2-3 p.m. Farm to School Program (USDA)

Jan. 30, 2013, 4-5 p.m.  Eyes on the Earth- Global Climate Change (NASA)

Feb. 6, 2013, 4-5 p.m. An Energy Literate Citizenry from K to Grey (DOE)

Feb. 13, 2013, 4-5 p.m. Emerging ʺGreenʺ Technologies (NASA)

Feb. 20, 2013, 4-5 p.m. Climate Time Machine (NASA)

 

Environmental Education Grant Opportunity: Improving Equity in Magnet Schools with STEM Priority

The Magnet Schools Assistance program provides grants to eligible local educational agencies for magnet schools. Projects must support the development and implementation of magnet schools that assist in the achievement of systemic reforms and provide all students with the opportunity to meet challenging academic content; student academic achievement standards; the development and design of innovative education methods and practices that promote diversity in public education programs; professional development; and the implementation of courses of instruction in magnet schools that strengthen students’ knowledge of academic subjects and their grasp of tangible and marketable vocational skills. There will be a pre-application webinar on January 17^th , the notice of intent to apply is should be submitted by February 1, and applications are due by March 1. >>>

 

Grant Awards Made for Green Strides

Before the end of the calendar year, the Department announced grants under two competitive programs that have a focus on STEM education and healthy school environments:

 

On December 18, Secretary Duncan announced that all 20 of the highest-rated applicants in the 2012 Investing in Innovation (i3) grant competition have secured their required private matching funds and become official grantees.  Together, they will share more than $140 million in federal funds to expand innovative practices designed to accelerate student achievement and help prepare every student to succeed in college and their careers.>>>

 

Then, on December 21, the Secretary announced 17 winners of a 2012 Promise Neighborhoods grant.  Launched in 2010, Promise Neighborhoods is a community-focused program that funds local-led efforts to improve educational opportunities and supply comprehensive health, safety, and support services within high-poverty neighborhoods.  The 2012 awards are split between 10 one-year planning grants, totaling more than $4.7 million, and seven five-year implementation grants, totaling nearly $30 million.>>> 

 

Stay tuned for more information on applying to Green Strides programs – grants from all over the Department that help to support healthy and sustainable school environments and effective environmental education.

 

Find Your School’s Green Week!

Green Education Foundation will be kicking of its Green Week from February 4-8. Participants can choose any week, or day between February 4 and April 30 to be their Green Week. During their designated Green Week, teachers and youth group leaders are encouraged to spend time talking about sustainability issues, conducting one of Green Education Foundation’s free lessons, or undertaking a sustainability project. Sign up at by February 1 to be entered to win eco-friendly prizes and for information on six sustainability themed programs, each with their own 5-day lesson sets, activities, tips and recommended reading to make Green Week as simple as possible.>>>