Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s Post

How are California’s TK-12 schools incorporating sustainability into their classrooms? The Peaks and Valleys study sheds light on progress and areas needing attention. Read the report and find out how we can create lasting change in education for sustainability https://lnkd.in/ge3q4Ee8

🍎 The U.S. Department of Education honors the top green #schools of 2024 and offers resources to help make your #school more sustainable. ♻️ #facilitiesmanagement #facilitymanagement #campus #sustainability #cleanenergy #healthybuildings #greenbuildings #college

This picture won’t make much sense without reading the description, so here are a couple of quick questions for you: Do you consider yourself eco-conscious? What does being 'eco-conscious' really mean in today's world? Is putting a can into the recycling bin enough, or is there more we should be doing? What about teaching the younger generations the correct ways of green living if we’re still figuring this out ourselves? As a mum of two teenage daughters in the house, the last question is what I’ve been thinking a lot about over the years. Combine this with managing the British School Pisa Group, and you’ll get an idea of why I’ve decided to work on the Green Standard Schools project. 🌿 With environmental awareness, hands-on learning, a healthy school environment, community engagement, and long-term impact as its core features, the GSS initiative creates learning environments that not only teach about sustainability but also practice it - which is exactly the purpose of GSS membership accreditation. I recently got to talk more about GSS at a webinar, and I was overwhelmed by the positive feedback, which highlighted the growing community interest in sustainable education and the urgent need for environmental awareness in schools. Now, I want to extend a special invitation to educators and institutions. To all the dedicated teachers out there, GSS offers a wealth of free-to-use resources designed to help you integrate sustainability and green practices into your curriculum. These tools are not just informative but also engaging, ensuring that the message of eco-consciousness resonates with students in a meaningful way. Feel free to look them up on the GSS website! For schools looking to take their commitment to the next level, consider becoming accredited members of GSS. Achieving this accreditation is not just a mark of honour; it's a testament to your institution's dedication to fostering a sustainable future. Accredited schools earn a GSS badge, a symbol of excellence in environmental education and practice.

🚸Schools taking active steps to help increase student and staff contact with Nature and the outdoors is a very positive move towards human and planetary health. 🌻Looking at schools through both an ecological and trauma informed lens was the focus of a webinar I facilitated this week. 👩🏫Invited by Irish Schools Sustainability Network and Education Support Centres Ireland, I was joined by over 50 Education Professionals from different sectors. The talk flowed from; 🌿The benefits of increased connection with the rest of nature, to ❓Why this knowledge is important to schools, and 🌳How the outdoors and natural world can be included in a more conscious way in education. 📚We also explored examples of curricular integration and shared useful resources. There was great enthusiasm and interaction from attendees. 🌍With the recent growth in Forest Pre Schools and the introduction of the new Leaving Cert subject ‘Climate Action and Sustainable Development’ let’s hope more school communities and their managers begin the important journey towards a more eco-centric approach to education and wellbeing.

Let’s face it, we all have the oppprtunity to do better by the next generations. The question is what do we do with that right? As for me, I anticipate a world filled with more environmental conscious individuals, taking each step, each day to keep the planet safe and sane for us all. I made a post about the relevance of including environmental education in high schools and colleges activities some time ago. You can read about it using this link - https://lnkd.in/dpBWNtUN With my previous work experiences in schools and social enterprise, I understand that beyond helping school teachers/owners know the relevance of environmental education, they also need to be imitated on the bite-sized and fun steps they can take to promote this conversation amongst younger generations. While this list is inexhaustible plus the implementation of each would differ based on school leadership and structure. I have curated some simple actions each school can take: 1. Organising field trips to parks, gardens, conservation sites, recycling hubs, etc for students. 2. Assigning eco-friendly class projects or assignments. 3. Cultivating a school garden. 4. Leading students to carry out community development service such as advocacy or cleanups or sensitisation to create awareness of environmental issues. 5. Decorating the classrooms with some eco-tips or rules to aid learning and assimilation. 6. STEM clubs can be made to think of developing technologies or apps that could help with global environmental challenges. 7. Partnering with environmental-related organisations for robust learning and volunteering services. 8. Inviting environmental experts to attend school events to share their career stories for inspiring the students. 9. Practicing waste sorting. 10. Having movie time out for watching environmental-related movies or documentaries. 11. Putting literature that talks about environmental sustainability in libraries or including them in part of school term books. 12. Creating an environmental club. Overall, the beauty is in experimenting and identifying what works well for your students and boost parents’ confidence/participation. Don’t be scared to test the waters, helping your students understand that they are one with nature is a noble thing to do. P.S.: Which one of these activities have you tried out before or currently doing in your school or you plan to embark on? #theopeyemiogundeji #environmentaleducation #environmentalsustainability #schoolcurriculum #SDGS #wednesdaymotivation #nature

If only one building type could be HEALTHY, I would vote for schools. Every aspect of a building impacts well-being, and schools are an opportunity to make the greatest impact on children's mental and physical health, the ability to concentrate and learn effectively, and provide a healthy environment that might be a respite from uncontrollable factors in young lives. During the recent White House Summit for Sustainable & Healthy K-12 School Buildings and Grounds, experts sounded alarm bells about how school outdated infrastructure is failing children, especially those suffering from asthma. 14 million school days lost per year due to asthma in the US alone is unacceptable. Statement by @SecCardona: below Full video of Summit: https://lnkd.in/d3GvWN6m

The educational process at FEE is solution based. We see the impact through students who master complex #problemsolving skills like #systemthinking. We invite #stakeholders to increase the outreach of our work around the world and see for them selves, how our programmes can impact #QualityEducation. #GreeningEducation #GenerationRestoration

🌍 The Impact of Teaching the 3Rs in Primary School 🌱 I always believe as educators, we hold significant responsibility in nurturing our students into responsible global citizens, starting with instilling awareness about the 3Rs - Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle♻️ - in primary school. Teaching grade 4 and 5 students about the 3Rs has proven to be impactful in several ways. First, it fosters environmental awareness by helping children understand their impact on the planet, encouraging sustainable choices from a young age. Second, it cultivates eco-friendly habits that often last a lifetime, contributing to a more sustainable future. Additionally, learning about waste reduction and recycling promotes critical thinking and problem-solving skills as students explore innovative solutions and grasp the importance of resource conservation. Implementing the 3Rs also encourages community involvement, with students taking initiatives such as organizing recycling programs and promoting eco-friendly practices. Integrating sustainability into the curriculum enhances academic development by linking classroom knowledge with practical applications. In my experience, teaching the 3Rs has led to students actively participating in waste reduction campaigns, creating projects using recycled materials, and demonstrating a strong sense of environmental responsibility. By introducing the 3Rs early, we empower the next generation to be drivers of positive change, creating a more sustainable world for future generations. What strategies have you found effective in teaching sustainability to young learners? Do share your insights below!😊 #SustainabilityEducation #EnvironmentalAwareness #YouthEmpowerment ♻️♻️♻️

Sustainability and environmental education in early childhood lay the foundation for a lifelong appreciation of nature and responsible citizenship. Here’s how to embrace a love for nature in your classroom: Teaching Environmental Responsibility: 💚Understanding Nature's Importance: Educators introduce concepts about the importance of nature, explaining ecosystems, biodiversity, and the impact of human actions on the environment. 🌳Learning Through Play: Incorporate nature-based activities such as gardening, exploring natural materials, or observing wildlife to help children connect with and appreciate the natural world. Practices in Sustainability: ♻️Eco-Friendly Classroom Practices: Implement practices like recycling, reducing waste, and conserving resources within the classroom. Children actively participate in sorting recyclables or composting. 🌱Using Sustainable Materials: Utilize eco-friendly materials for arts and crafts, such as recycled paper, natural dyes, or reusable materials to encourage responsible consumption. Lessons on Conservation: 🐾Understanding Conservation: Teach simple concepts of conservation, like reducing water usage or protecting habitats of animals, through age-appropriate stories, games, or discussions. 🔍Outdoor Exploration: Organize nature walks, where children can observe and appreciate the environment firsthand, fostering curiosity and respect for the natural world. Incorporating Nature into Curriculum: 🍃Nature-Based Learning: Integrate nature into various subjects. For instance, using leaves for counting in math or exploring different plant species in science lessons. By incorporating these practices and activities, early childhood educators instill values of environmental responsibility, sustainability, and respect for nature. These experiences not only teach children about the environment but also empower them to be mindful and conscientious stewards of our planet. Those who grow up to love the Earth will grow up to defend it! Join us in fostering a generation that cares for Mother Earth! 🌎 🌱