The Green Education Foundation (GEF) is mobilizing more than two million students to participate in National Green Week 2010, an environmental education campaign scheduled for the week of February 1-5, 2010. GEF enriches National Green Week with standards-based lessons, activities and team projects that are easily incorporated into science, math, language arts, social studies, and creative arts curricula. The initiative is designed to jumpstart a commitment for continuing environmental education and a lifetime of eco-friendly habits. GEF environmental lessons are coupled with the following hands-on eco-challenges to provide for an enhanced learning opportunity:
Green Thumb Challenge –Launching during National Green Week 2010, join GEF and Lowes in the largest youth gardening initiative of all time calling on schools and youth groups to plant 10,000 gardens in the spring and summer of 2010. GEF connects the joys of gardening with improved habits in health and nutrition, and has officially partnered with the USDA’s MyPyramid program. GEF also links gardening and composting to curriculum across grades and disciplines, and provides straightforward resources to grow gardens of any size, in flower pots or on vegetable plots.
Kick off the Green Thumb Challenge in your classroom by participating in the O2 for You “Adopt-a-Plant”
Waste-Free Snacks - Students nationwide will participate in the largest school based waste-reduction program of all time by simply pledging to carry their drinks and snacks in reusable containers for the week. The goal is to eliminate 500,000 pounds of trash from entering schools and landfills.
Green Energy Challenge - Students will audit their classrooms, schools and homes to find energy leaks and correct them in an effort to reduce energy consumption. Audits and energy lessons for all grades accompany this program.
Recycling Roundup - Students will collect all the recyclables they can and create new and improved recycling programs at their school. Students will learn what items are recyclable in their area, and will be in charge of creating and monitoring a simple recycling system in their own classrooms and school common spaces (e.g. hallways, cafeterias, and athletic areas).
“By participating in National Green Week, students will learn that simple decisions such as the selection of waste-free snacks and drinks can combat monumental environmental problems,” says Victoria Waters, President and Founder of the Green Education Foundation. “Children are in the best position to impact the future of our environment by developing green behaviors that become lifelong habits.”
U.S. Senator John Kerry recognizes the importance of National Green Week 2010 as “not only effective in reducing waste but also in providing an interactive way for students to learn about the environment,”
Educators participating in National Green Week will have access to the GEF online community – the largest worldwide online social network dedicated to environmental education – to share best practices, testimonials, videos and photos with other participants, and to generate excitement and momentum nationwide.
National Green Week is free! Schools and youth groups are urged to register early to receive important bulletins and updates, visit www.GreenEducationFoundation.org or www.GreenThumbChallenge.org to enroll today. All participants will receive a $10 off $50 purchase from Lowes and the opportunity to win multiple Green in–Action Awards and a $5,000 grant.
About Green Education Foundation (GEF)
GEF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides educational resources to promote sustainable, impactful pro-green behaviors in children, families and communities. For more information visit: www.GreenEducationFoundation.org.
Press inquiries please contact:
GEF
P: 1-888-668-2298
E: service@greeneducationfoundation.org
