Colleges and Universities Lead the Way in Sustainability
U.S. Department of Education sent this bulletin at 01/10/2013 07:50 PM EST
Colleges and Universities Lead the Way in Sustainability
Over the past year, ED has highlighted the exemplary efforts of K-12 schools to reduce environmental impact and costs; improve health and wellness; and teach effective environmental and sustainability education; however, healthy, safe, cost-efficient facilities, practices and learning are not limited to primary and secondary educations. In many ways, colleges and universities, and their students, have been the vanguard of the sustainability movement.>>>
Related resources:
U.S. Dept. of Energy Higher Education Energy Alliance 2012 Report and Better Buildings Challenge. The Challenge calls on corporate officers, university presidents, and local leaders to progress toward the goal of making American buildings 20 percent more energy-efficient by 2020.
Join the President for the National Day of Service
One hallmark of environmental education at all levels, including sustainable post-secondary institutions, is a civically engaged student body. On January 21, 2013, our nation will celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (MLK Day), a national holiday during which we honor the legacy of the civil rights leader Dr. King through a day of service and volunteering. Find and post volunteer opportunities.>>>
The U.S. Department of Energy announced a new interactive online tool to help researchers, educators, and students explore future U.S. energy-use scenarios. The interactive Buildings, Industry, Transportation, and Electricity Scenarios (BITES) tool allows users to adjust inputs, such as electricity generation and transportation fuel use, to compare outcomes and impacts on carbon dioxide emissions and the U.S. energy mix.>>>
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. 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)
Grant Opportunity: Connecting Kids to Health Insurance
Funded under the Affordable Care Act, these grants will continue efforts to find and enroll eligible children in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). A total of $32 million is available for states, local governments, community-based and non-profit organizations. Indian health care providers and tribal entities also are eligible to apply. Proposals are due on February 21, 2013, with grant award notification anticipated on June 1, 2013. Grants are expected to range in size from $250,000 to $1 million for a two-year period, beginning June 1, 2013 and ending May 31, 2015.>>>. Informational teleconference on January 16th. Connecting kids to coverage: Ten Things Schools Can Do fact sheet.
Spruce Up Your School Sweepstakes
Enter the Discovery Education TurfMutt Spruce Up Your School Sweepstakes for a chance to win a $5,000 grant to help make your school's play area more eco-friendly and green by adding trees, shrubbery and more. Entries must be submitted by K-5 teachers. Enter before March 21st and check out other free resources for educators and families.>>>
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.>>>
Greenbuild 2013 Session Proposal Deadline
The Greenbuild International Conference and Expo will take place on November 20-22, 2013 with this year’s theme of ‘Greenbuild Nation’. The conference features educational sessions covering all aspects of sustainable design, construction, and operations practices for buildings and communities, including their impact on people, the environment, and the economy. Last year’s conference had over 28,000 people in attendance. Session proposals are due by Friday, January 11, 2013.>>>
3rd Annual Green Schools National Conference: February 22-24th
The 3rd Annual Green Schools National Conference will take place in West Palm Beach, FL. Breakouts will include health, facilities and environmental education topics.>>>
Last month, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced more than $80 million in Affordable Care Act funding for 197 school-based health center programs. This funding will allow school-based health centers to serve an additional 384,000 students. A school-based clinic typically offers a combination of primary care, mental health care, substance abuse counseling, dental health, and various health promotion activities to provide coordinated school health, which is one of the comprehensive aims of U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools Pillars and Elements. >>>
