#environmentalstudents

[cleanwaterchronicles]

Michigan Green Schools program grows by over 100 schools in 2023

Source: EGLE NewsRoom

Environmental stewardship and education were front and center at over 300 Michigan schools recently recognized as Michigan Green Schools.

This year marks the second year that the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) was responsible for operating the Michigan Green Schools program, which was previously run by a non-profit organization.

In EGLE’s first year of program administration, 196 schools received recognition, and in 2023 that number grew by over 100 schools to a total of 306. EGLE also introduced a new, online application process that utilizes an ArcGIS Hub site to streamline the application and review process.

While the statewide program is facilitated by EGLE, a network of 30+ volunteer County Coordinators assist with supporting schools and reviewing applications each year.

“The Michigan Green Schools County Coordinators are essential to the success of the Green Schools program,” said Eileen Boekestein, EGLE’s Environmental Education Coordinator. “We wouldn’t have seen the growth in the program that we did this year without the hard work they put in to support schools through the new application process.”

The new Green Schools Portal allows those 30+ County Coordinators to receive and review online applications, a significant improvement from the days of paper and scanned application forms. EGLE’s innovative integration of the new online application with geospatial tools recently won recognition through Esri’s Special Achievement in GIS award.   The Michigan Green Schools program was originally established through the work of student advocates in 2006. In 2010, the program was expanded to allow for multiple levels of recognition. The overall goal is to promote stewardship-themed activities and information to support environmental education in grades pre-K through 12.

“EGLE believes in the importance of environmental education as a pathway to increasing environmental stewardship, and we see the Green Schools program as an important way to promote that education and action in Michigan,” said Eileen Boekestein.

For the 2022-2023 school year, 306 schools were designated as Michigan Green Schools, as follows:

Green: 98

Emerald: 72

Evergreen: 136

Under the Michigan Green Schools program, schools may qualify for various levels of stewardship by earning points for activities:

Green School -- 10 total activities

Emerald School -- 15 total activities

Evergreen School -- 20 total activities

The four categories of activities for official Green School qualification are:

Reduce/Reuse/Recycle

Energy

Environmental Protection

Miscellaneous

A school is eligible to receive a Green School, Emerald School, or Evergreen School Environmental Stewardship Designation if the school or students perform the required number of activities, with a minimum of two activities from each of the four categories.

Educators who would like to participate in the program during the 2023-2024 academic year can learn more on the Michigan Green Schools Portal. Applications open January 1st of each year.

Individuals who are interested in volunteering to become a Michigan Green Schools County Coordinator can also check the MI Green Schools Portal to see if their county has a vacancy.

Questions about the program can be directed to Eileen Boekestein at BoekesteinE@Michigan.gov.

Source: https://www.michigan.gov/egle/newsroom/mi-environment/2023/04/19/michigan-green-schools-program-grows-by-over-100-schools-in-2023

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// . . . 📸@abdulhannanphotography . . . . #galham #haripur #pakistan #etribune #everydaypakistan #islamic_republic_of_pakistan #ironpakistan #dawn_dot_com #islamic_republic_of_pakistan #sammatv #environmentalstudent #gogreen #amazing #beauty #redsun #sunkissed #photography 📷 #photography_top #photography_lovers #photography_azs #photography_ba7rain (at Galham, Haripur) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8ZQabdhMtq/?igshid=xnixmn6gl9o6

[hasifullah]

#environmentalstudents #pink #FPAS :) (at Fakulti Pengajian Alam Sekitar)

[cleanwaterchronicles]

School's Out: EGLE Classroom is in Session

School is out for many Michigan students but EGLE Classroom is available any time to keep minds learning about Michigan's environment.

Since their debut last year, they have shared 24 video episodes here in the EGLE Classroom.  Earlier this year, a partnership between EGLE and the Michigan Learning Channel was announced that provides EGLE Classroom videos to Michigan public television stations.

Be sure to check in throughout the summer for any updates!

Here are a few examples of videos EGLE Classroom provides:

Water-Related Resources

EGLE: Michigan's Great Lakes The Great Lakes are known for their beauty and the wealth of resources within and around them. The combined lakes contain one-fifth of the world's surface fresh water, with more than 3,000 miles of shoreline.

Great Lakes Learning: Resources for Teaching A collection of lesson plans that engage students with the science and study of the Great Lakes.

Groundwater: What is it? There is an immense amount of water in aquifers below the earth's surface. In fact, there is a over a thousand times more water in the ground than is in all the world's rivers and lakes. Here we introduce you to the basics about groundwater.

H.O.M.E.S. at Home Want to keep exploring our fabulous Great Lakes, even though you’re hanging around the house? Check out H.O.M.E.S. at Home! The acronym is an easy way to remember our five Great Lakes: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior. While it may be harder for us to dip our toes in the lakes right now, we’ve got lots of ways for you to enjoy and learn about our freshwater seas right from your own home.

Climate and Energy-Related Resources

Climate Kids Climate Kids is a NASA affiliated website used as a fun education resource for children to easily understand climate change and other environmental issues. It includes games, short videos, information about common green careers and green technologies, and other environmental topics kids can learn about. There is also an Educator Resources section with interactive activities to help families and teachers explain these topics to children.

Air Related Resources

Clean Air Action Hero Mask - Printable (PDF) 📷

EGLE: Open Burning in Michigan "Open burning" is the burning of unwanted materials such as paper, trees, brush, leaves, grass, and other debris where smoke and other emissions are released directly into the air. During open burning, air pollutants do not pass through a chimney or stack.

Ozone Action Days/Forecasts Hourly updates on current 1 hour and 8 hour ozone values.

Pathfinder Science Ozone Project Each fall students from all over the country participate in the Pathfinder Science research area, exploring ground-level ozone.  Ozone is a toxic gas, which is formed by a reaction between air pollutants and sunlight.  This research area is design for upper elementary through high school age students with two easy to follow, network-wide, standardized protocols are offered.

Please click EGLEClassroom for more information!

Source:https://www.michigan.gov/egle/0,9429,7-135-3307_3580---,00.html

[cleanwaterchronicles]

National Environmental Education Foundation Activity Guides

Please enjoy these fun Environmental Activity Guides provided by The National Environmental Education Foundation. Click on the bolded title to direct you to the activity guide you wish to view.

Animal Migration Activity Guide

Designed for elementary age kids, this activity guide can be used in a classroom or at home for fun and easy ways to learn about animal migration.

Pollinator Backyard Activity Guide

Young explorers! Print out a copy of this activity worksheet, grab a pencil, and head outside to start your pollinator investigation!

Three Easy Upcycle Projects

Our top 3 list of easy upcycling projects to do with children.

Water Quality Backyard Activity Guide

Use this activity guide to explore the topic of water quality. It's perfect for your next environmental investigation!

Community Cleanup Activity Guide

Get your friends together and plan a community cleanup to help out in your neighborhood or school! This quick how-to guide will get you started.

Source: https://www.neefusa.org/education/resources

[abdulhannanoffical]

Wasting time is useless, cleaning the environment is the best. . . . 📸 @abdulhannanphotography . . . #galham #haripur #pakistan #etribune #everydaypakistan #environmentalstudent #gogreen #amazing #islamic_republic_of_pakistan #ironpakistan #dawn_dot_com #everydaypakistan #beautiful #nature #photooftheday #photogrid #photographylovers #photography101 #photography_top #photography 📷 #photography_lovers #photoshoot #photography_ba7rain #instaphoto #bestoftheday #instacool #instago #all_shots (at Galham, Haripur) https://www.instagram.com/p/B73qPochsC8/?igshid=q187czv65bij