MAEOE Green Schools Initiative Maryland Association for Outdoor & Environmental Education

MAEOE Green Schools Initiative Part of the Maryland Green Schools Program(MGSP), a sustainable schools program that aligns with the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement Goals: Promote the incorporation of hands-on, inquiry-based instruction in the classroom Increase awareness of environmental issues and the impact on society and public health Encourage students to employ sustainable practices to reduce our footprint Founded in 1999. Nationally recognized program. Currently, there are approximately 450 Green Schools.

Green School Objectives Environmental issue instruction Professional development Celebration of green practices Community partnerships Solid waste reduction Energy conservation Water conservation Habitat restoration Structures for environmental learning Objectives encompass initiatives that engage both faculty and students. Ones on left are highlighted, and we will come back to those, as they fall under the criteria to become a Green School.

Criteria to become a Green School fall within three domains Delivery in curriculum and instruction (in all 4 areas) to develop environmental literacy among students Professional development with at least 10% of staff informed and engaged School-wide celebration event School-Wide Environmental Behavior Changes* 2. Develop and maintain sustainable practices Energy conservation, waste reduction, habitat restoration, structures for environmental learning, etc.. 3. Community Partnerships Partner active within school * Not mandatory

Why do we want to become a Green School? Because we are global citizens and care about the environment (?) It is a platform to apply for Green Ribbon School certification Increase environmental literacy among our students and provide meaningful ways for our students to engage in sustainable practices at school and at home

What is environmental literacy? An environmentally literate person, both individually and together with others, makes informed decisions concerning the environment; is willing to act on these decisions to improve the well-being of other individuals, societies, and the global environment; and participates in civic life. Those who are environmentally literate possess, to varying degrees: Knowledge and understanding of a wide range of environmental concepts, problems, and issues; A set of cognitive and affective dispositions; A set of cognitive skills and abilities; The appropriate behavioral strategies to apply such knowledge and understanding in order to make sound and effective decisions in a range of environmental contexts. It is not just knowing, but DOING. Bottom line is that being environmentally literate is not just having a knowledge of environmental issues, but changing behaviors and decisions to reflect an understanding that humans and the environment are connected in many facets (ecologically, culturally, economically). So this ties into Homewood’s mission statement…. North American Association for Environmental Education’s (NAAEE)

Homewood’s Mission Statement The Homewood Center is a student-centered learning environment where students and staff alike are inspired and empowered to become global citizens through the promotion and practice of environmental literacy, awareness, and stewardship. We know that one of the biggest challenges we undertake is to prepare our students for the real world – becoming productive and good CITIZENS. This is an opportunity to contribute to those efforts in a very direct way with salient outcomes that are measurable and meaningful.

This year’s goals…. Begin building: Community partnerships Robinson Nature Center and others Professional development In-service training during program meetings Celebration of green practices Earth Day Celebration We need two years of activities/initiatives to submit a Green Schools application. We would like to start building this year. We already have a relationship with the Robinson Nature Center. We can use them as a resource to meet criteria in all categories.

This year’s goals cont’d…. Gather student and teacher input: Environmental issue instruction Ideas from teachers about lessons and activities that incorporate environmental literacy in the 4 content areas. Sustainable practices (must be student-driven) There must be 2 actions within each of the following categories Waste reduction Water conservation Energy conservation Habitat restoration

Your input is needed How can you integrate environmental stewardship awareness and education into your classroom, lessons? What can we do to integrate sustainable practices at Homewood that can be employed at home, as well? Ideas for activities on Earth Day?