1. Copyright © 2012 Green Education Foundation (GEF). All rights reserved. www.GreenEducationFoundation.org Overview Creating a Sustainable Future Through Education

2. Copyright © 2012 Green Education Foundation (GEF). All rights reserved. www.GreenEducationFoundation.org Preparing Students for the New Green Economy Nationwide, the clean economy is growing at a rate of 8.3% annually, nearly double the growth rate of the overall economy from 2003-2010. Wages for green energy careers are about 13% higher than the economy average. For every megawatt of solar or wind power generated, 15 to 20 manufacturing jobs are created.

3. Copyright © 2012 Green Education Foundation (GEF). All rights reserved. www.GreenEducationFoundation.org GEF Mission GEF provides curriculum and resources to K-12 students and teachers worldwide with the goal of challenging youth to think holistically and critically about global environmental concerns and solutions.

4. Copyright © 2012 Green Education Foundation (GEF). All rights reserved. www.GreenEducationFoundation.org Sustainability education provides educators with the real-world applied learning models that connect science, technology, and math education with the broader human concerns of environmental, economic, and social systems. Leading the Sustainability Education Movement

5. Copyright © 2012 Green Education Foundation (GEF). All rights reserved. www.GreenEducationFoundation.org Sustainability can be a cornerstone of a school’s education, while: Preparing students for careers in the new green economy Teaching critical and analytical thinking and writing skills Meeting national core standards in Science, Math, Social Studies and ELA Providing educators with an opportunity to earn professional development or academic credit Making improvements to the school building resulting in savings in utility costs and improved indoor environmental quality Why Sustainability Education?

6. Copyright © 2012 Green Education Foundation (GEF). All rights reserved. www.GreenEducationFoundation.org Member Demographics and Outreach Over 9,000 members Over 5 million kids All 50 States Available to the over 55 million students and 3.8 million teachers in more than 125,000 K-12 schools throughout the U.S. Outreach Schools are reached through teachers unions, administrator and principals’ organizations, national and local departments of energy, national and local departments of education, and like-minded non- profits GEF devotes resources to connecting with schools in underserved communities through advocates like the office of environmental affairs in urban school districts, state and national associations of career and technical education, etc.

7. Copyright © 2012 Green Education Foundation (GEF). All rights reserved. www.GreenEducationFoundation.org GEF’s National Programs Green Thumb Challenge The largest youth gardening initiative connects new and existing garden programs nationwide 5,000 school and youth group participants signed up for the pilot year—reaching over 771,000 kids National Green Week Empowers schools to engage in sustainability focused projects or activities for at least one week between February and Earth Month (April). Green Energy Challenge Addresses the science of energy, non-renewable and renewable sources, and energy conservation strategies Student projects include school and classroom energy audits

8. Copyright © 2012 Green Education Foundation (GEF). All rights reserved. www.GreenEducationFoundation.org GEF’s National Programs Cont. I Ride Green Inspires families and individuals to develop lifelong habits for sustainable transportation that promote the health of the environment, the economy, and people Sustainable Water Challenge Discover the important role water plays in the survival of our planet and how our natural systems work together Identify and implement conservation methods for the home and school building Green Building Program Educate students and administrators on how to reduce energy and water usage, thereby lowering their schools’ operating costs Understand the basic components and strategies around green building Waste Reduction Challenge See the power of collective behavior by encouraging everyone to reduce their waste and recycle Start a recycling program, conduct waste-free snack challenge or participate in fun lessons and activities

9. Copyright © 2012 Green Education Foundation (GEF). All rights reserved. www.GreenEducationFoundation.org Green Energy Challenge The Green Energy Challenge introduces simple habits of energy efficiency and conservation into classroom and home routines In 2012 students across the nation took on the role of energy auditors implementing eco-changes that resulted in real dollar savings on energy costs within just a few months

10. Copyright © 2012 Green Education Foundation (GEF). All rights reserved. www.GreenEducationFoundation.org Green Energy Challenge The Green Energy Challenge program, includes: Standards-based grade-specific turn-key lessons for teachers spanning numerous subjects including renewable energy, new technologies, conservation, etc. GEF's Green Classroom Pledge that features a comprehensive checklist of behaviors to green schools and classrooms Green Energy Challenge hands-on audits and activities Colorful reminder signs and posters to hang around the classroom and stickers featuring energy tips that students can color, cut out and use to decorate their binders

11. Copyright © 2012 Green Education Foundation (GEF). All rights reserved. www.GreenEducationFoundation.org 2012 Measureable Results 89% of the survey respondents would recommend GEF’s programs and curriculum to peers 87% of teachers responded that GEF’s programs were a valuable learning experience for their students and/or staff 92% said they learned important environmental lessons “We are pleased to be apart of GEF and feel motivated and directed by great ideas in the newsletter. Thank you for all you are doing to inspire us and offer opportunities.” “Students are excited to do the right thing. I am always amazed at how interested they become when equipped with the knowledge and practices they can do.” “A school with more than 2000 students started separating their trash and making compost out of more than 80% of it.” “Getting out doors and being active is one of our focuses this year. Students were able to “Get Moving” having fun planting and caring for the garden.”

12. Copyright © 2012 GEF Institute. All Rights Reserved. www.gefinstitute.org GEF Institute, a division of Green Education Foundation (GEF), was established to meet the increasing demand for sustainability education. The Institute develops state-of-the art online courses, certificate programs, and blended learning curriculum in sustainability concepts for K-12 schools, colleges and universities. GEF Institute

13. Copyright © 2012 GEF Institute. All Rights Reserved. www.gefinstitute.org Available Resources Include: Blueprint for Sustainability Literacy Online Courses and Professional Certificates in Sustainability for your Faculty, Staff and Students Sustainability Workshops for Faculty and Staff Green Building Blended Learning Curriculum for High School Classrooms Sustainability Education with GEF Institute Working with GEF Institute means having the flexibility to customize a sustainability program that meets your needs.

14. Copyright © 2012 GEF Institute. All Rights Reserved. www.gefinstitute.org Blended Learning Curriculum A Blended Learning Approach Course content is streamed Teachers receive special access to download selected sections Students access online activities and assignments Teacher Materials Include: Teacher Manual Lesson Plans Pacing Guide Presentation Slides Transparencies Handouts Audit Materials Capstone Project Green building courses packaged and ready for classroom-based instruction and supplemented by the Institute’s digital learning platform.

15. Copyright © 2012 GEF Institute. All Rights Reserved. www.gefinstitute.org  Developed for 10 -12 grade students to learn about green building attributes and benefits to provide a healthier and more energy-efficient school and home  Provides the educational resources necessary to understand, identify and improve environmental inefficiencies 15 Copyright © 2012 GEF Institute. All rights reserved.

16. Copyright © 2012 GEF Institute. All Rights Reserved. www.gefinstitute.org  Unit 1: Introduction to Green Building  Unit 2: Energy and the Built Environment  Unit 3: Water and the Built Environment  Unit 4: Sustainable Sites and Land Use  Unit 5: Materials and Resources  Unit 6: Indoor Environmental Quality  Unit 7: Building Science  Unit 8: Present and Future of Green Building Green Building Course Outline Copyright © 2012 GEF Institute. All rights reserved.

17. Copyright © 2012 GEF Institute. All Rights Reserved. www.gefinstitute.org A collection of individual GEF Institute courses packaged and ready for classroom-based instruction and supplemented by our digital learning platform. A Blended Learning Approach  Course content is streamed  Teachers receive special access to download selected sections  Students access online activities and assignments 17 Green Building Course Format Copyright © 2012 GEF Institute. All rights reserved.

18. Copyright © 2012 GEF Institute. All Rights Reserved. www.gefinstitute.org Materials are delivered in their digital format, and teachers are able to display them in class or download and print as needed. Teacher materials include:  Teacher Manual  Lesson Plans  Pacing Guide  Presentation Slides  Transparencies  Handouts  Audit Materials  Capstone Project 18 Green Building Course Materials Copyright © 2012 GEF Institute. All rights reserved.

19. Copyright © 2012 GEF Institute. All Rights Reserved. www.gefinstitute.org  Unit Audits  Prioritize areas for enhanced efficiencies in the students’ school building in preparation for capstone project  Capstone Project  Students analyze and recommend building improvements based upon feasibility, greatest need and return-on-investment (ROI).  Students research how and where to request funding (from government sources, utility rebates, etc.) in an effort to offset the costs of their proposed upgrades. GEF Institute’s Green Building Course is aligned with U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) guidelines for what constitutes green building construction according to their LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system. 19 Audits Copyright © 2012 GEF Institute. All rights reserved.

20. Copyright © 2012 GEF Institute. All Rights Reserved. www.gefinstitute.org “I will really be emphasizing the hands-on aspect and the audit component of the course. ” - Jenny Kostka, South Shore Charter Public School in Norwell, MA “For a few years now I have been teaching a course on Green Architecture and another on Sustainable Design, but with very little funding for materials or development. The GBC Green Building Pilot is a wonderful hybrid of both courses with a more streamlined approach and with superior materials.” – Jeremy Stone, Common Ground High School in New Haven, CT 20 Pilot School Experiences Copyright © 2012 GEF Institute. All rights reserved.

21. Copyright © 2012 GEF Institute. All Rights Reserved. www.gefinstitute.org Blueprint for Sustainability Education Grassroots Integration Helping all teachers of all grade levels effortlessly integrate sustainability concepts into material they’re already teaching while meeting National and Common Core standards for core subjects including Science, ELA, and Social Studies. Blueprint Process: Outlines the “big concepts” being taught in classrooms today by subject area Describes the concepts the standards aim to teach Identifies how sustainability can be integrated in the concepts by grade level Provides teaching tools for integration i.e. educational overviews on concepts, “teacher speak,” ready-to-use lessons and glossary

22. Copyright © 2012 GEF Institute. All Rights Reserved. www.gefinstitute.org Courses incorporate dynamic instruction methods: Video narration Pre and post unit assessments Interactive activities Discussion forums And more! Courses are self-paced and available on-demand Course lengths range from 1.5 hours to 15 hours Professional Development or Academic Credit is available Online Courses The Institute’s Online Courses are the backbone of the Sustainability Certificates and Blended Learning Curriculum.

23. Copyright © 2012 GEF Institute. All Rights Reserved. www.gefinstitute.org

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26. Copyright © 2012 GEF Institute. All Rights Reserved. www.gefinstitute.org 2011 Testimonials "This has been a tremendously rich experience. I am impressed and happy with the resources you have provided." – Course Participant "Great course! I learned a lot and was impressed with the quality of the information, expertise and resources, variety of content, the videos, etc. It was user friendly." – Course Participant "This could well be the most engaging sustainability course I have taken (either online or face-to- face). Nicely presented, well organized and completely pertinent, I found it very worthwhile." – Course Participant "I loved the course. It enabled me to feel more confident about moving forward with sustainability at my school." – Course Participant "The videos are fabulous and just the right length. The questions and material are thought provoking and thus effective. I find this course so engrossing that I often do not see time fly by and suddenly I realize I have been working on it for 3 hours! I also had hesitations about on-line courses in general, but now I am 'sold.'" – Course Participant "I think these units are terrific. I can't wait to incorporate these ideas into my already green classroom.” – Course Participant "I have never seen a course on Moodle as nice as this." – Course Participant

27. Copyright © 2012 GEF Institute. All Rights Reserved. www.gefinstitute.org Earning a certificate boosts credibility in the workplace or classroom and provides the foundational knowledge for successful sustainability initiatives or behavior change campaigns. The Institute’s distinct certificate levels build upon one another and motivate participants to take steps toward sustainability literacy and action. Apprentice Certificate – 1 hour Professional Certificate – 4.5 hours Specialist Certificate – 12 hours Fellow Certificate – 15 hours Some courses required for certificates are eligible for professional development (CEUs) or academic (graduate or undergraduate) credit. Certificates in Sustainability GEF Institute certificates are comprised of online education that provide big picture analysis and local application of important concepts to foster awareness and enthusiasm for sustainability.

28. Copyright © 2012 GEF Institute. All Rights Reserved. www.gefinstitute.org Sustainability Workshops One day, in-person training that blends live instruction and activities with online assessments and video narrations in which up to 25 teachers earn the Sustainability Trainee Certificate. The Sustainability Trainee Certificate Covers 3 Key Topics: Introduction to Sustainability: Its Purposes, Challenges and Requirements Essential Question: What is sustainability and why is it important? Human's Ecological Footprint Essential Question: How has human impact on ecosystems changed over time through the early stages of civilization development to today’s industrialized and growing societies? Primary Sustainability Issues: Energy, Food, Water, and Pollution Essential Question: What are the primary ways in which impact measurements are useful tools and what are the long-term effects of human ecological footprints?

29. Copyright © 2012 GEF Institute. All Rights Reserved. www.gefinstitute.org Appendices

30. Copyright © 2012 GEF Institute. All Rights Reserved. www.gefinstitute.org Contact GEF Institute Victoria Waters President & CEO vwaters@GEFInstitute.org 508-668-2278 Molly Hislop Director, Programs and Marketing mhislop@greeneducationfoundation.org 508-318-6618 www.gefinstitute.org support@gefinstitute.org

31. Copyright © 2012 Green Education Foundation (GEF). All rights reserved. www.GreenEducationFoundation.org K-12 Sustainability Lesson Clearinghouse Largest online database of sustainability focused lessons for K-12 sorted by grade, subject, eco-area, keyword Provides a virtual platform for teachers to upload and share K-12 sustainability education curricula Educators across the nation rate, comment and provide feedback on curricula, with the goal of designing an online social network that promotes cross-school best practices in sustainability education Brought to you in partnership with

32. Copyright © 2012 Green Education Foundation (GEF). All rights reserved. www.GreenEducationFoundation.org GEF Growth February 2008 GEF is founded October 2008 GEF Gains 501(c)(3) Status December 2009 GEF membership grows to 2000 schools September 2010 Green Energy Challenge launches 250,000 students uncover energy leaks April 2011 Green Building Program launches June 2011 Launch K-12 Lesson Clearinghouse with Center for Green Schools April 2008 GEF is incorporated Spring 2009 First National Green Week over 400,000 kids go green! Spring 2010 First Green Thumb Challenge over 770,000 kids connect with nature! February 2011 Third Annual National Green Week over 5 MILLION green stewards are empowered! December 2011 GEF membership reaches over 8000 schools Jan 2012 GEF Institute launched 700 teachers participate in pilot Feb 2012 Fourth Annual Green Week!

33. Copyright © 2012 Green Education Foundation (GEF). All rights reserved. www.GreenEducationFoundation.org GEF Sponsors and Partners