K12 Sustainability
Education Resources

View and print this page as a PDF

GREEN SCHOOL PROGRAMS

New Fact Sheet on Global Change

Alliance to Save Energy Green Schools and Green Campus Programs http://www.ase.org/section/program/greenschl

Michigan Green Schools
www.michigangreenschools.org/

Wisconsin Green & Healthy Schools  http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/greenschools/index.htm

Greening Schools (Illinois EPA; home/school energy audit lessons for middle and high schools)
http://www.greeningschools.org/resources/view_cat_teacher.cfm?id=192 

College Sustainability Report Card
http://www.greenreportcard.org/

K12 CURRICULA

Alliance to Save Energy Elementary, middle school and high school lesson plans http://www.ase.org/section/_audience/educators/lessons/

Confronting Climate Change in the Great Lakes Region Curriculum Guide by Union of Concerned Scientists and Ecological Society of America): www.ucsusa.org/greatlakes/glchallengeteachers.html

Energy Education Kit (EEK!)
The EEK! curriculum teaches students about energy with hands-on, science-based, interdisciplinary lessons. Developed by Western Michigan University and the Sustainable Futures Group with grant assistance from the Michigan Energy Office. Designed for K-8 students with support materials are available online. These lesson plans encourage students to make informed choices about energy consumption. Theoretical concepts relating to energy production are woven into the materials. http://www.michigan.gov/dleg/0,1607,7-154-25676_25770-160788--,00.html

Facing the Future       http://www.uspartnership.org/main/show_passage/48#TeachingResources
A nonprofit organization dedicated to educating young people to think critically about global issues, sustainability, and positive solutions. The organization develops standards-based, hands-on lessons,  textbooks,  and professional development. Facing the Future curriculum is in use in 49 U.S. states and 42 countries by teachers and students in grades K-12, in undergraduate and graduate classes, and across multiple subject areas.

International Dark-Sky Association  www.darksky.org

http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3307_3580_29678---,00.html

National Energy Education Development K-12 Curricula Guides & Activity Kits
http://www.need.org/curriculum.php

Project Learning Tree (PLT) Energy & Society program provides formal and nonformal educators with activities for PreK-8 students to learn about their relationship with energy and investigate the environmental issues related to energy's role in society. http://www.plt.org/cms/pages/21_21_9.html

Sustainability Education Handbook Resource Guide for K12 Teachers by D Jones, MFA, Education Director, Sustainable Futures Group with funding from the Michigan Energy Office, Department of  Consumer and Industry Services.    http://www.urbanoptions.org/SustainEdHandbook/Introduction.htm
With links to websites on:
Environmental Sustainability and Creating a More Humane Future
Action Opportunities / Make a Difference
Community Building and Citizenship:
Consumption: Understanding Our Individual and Global Impacts
Energy Conservation / Renewable Energies (Solar, Wind, etc.)
Environmental Education
Higher Education

Sustainable Organic Gardening   http://www.gardensimply.com/index.php

Sustainable Food Laboratory   http://www.sustainablefoodlab.org/

Watts On Schools  http://www.wattsonschools.com/activities.htm
K-12 activities related to solar energy.

PROGRAMS

Shelburne Farms’ Sustainable Schools Project - works to help schools use sustainability as an integrating theme, both at the standards level (state and national) and “on the ground” with teachers, coaching and co-constructing curriculum in pilot schools.  Conduct an Education for Sustainability Institute in August and customized professional development for schools. http://www.sustainableschoolsproject.org/

Sustainable Futures Institute at Michigan Technological University
SFI is an education and research leader on sustainability initiatives related to water, air, and energy; industrial ecology; environmentally conscious manufacturing; green engineering; public policy; the built environment; sustainable development that includes issues of the developing world; pre-college education for students and teachers; community outreach; and university campus eco-improvements.
http://www.sfi.mtu.edu/

Urban and Northern Options offer practical energy efficiency and environmental sustainability solutions for residents and businesses in Michigan by providing information, educational programs, demonstrations, and energy efficiency programs and services that encourage practical actions people can take to improve the energy efficiency and environmental sustainability of their homes, businesses and communities.  http://www.urbanoptions.org/   (In the U.P., contact T. J. Brown  at Northern Options in Marquette for community or classroom presentations at:   tjbrown@northernoptions.org  or call (906) 226-1136