Green Schools National Network
Virtual Learning Resources for Sustainability-Minded EducatorsGreen Schools National Network remains steadfast in its commitment to provide K-12 schools and districts with the resources and support they need to educate for sustainability during this time of virtual learning. On this page, we have assembled a selection of age-appropriate lessons from our PD Collaborative Partners and others that are well-suited for virtual learning. We vetted these lessons against a set of criteria we developed that looks at aspects such as deeper learning, 21st century skill building, authenticity, and sustained inquiry using a real-world context.
Resources for Grades K – 5
Field Research: Transportation
In this field research lesson, students learn about different modes of transportation, conduct a home transportation scavenger hunt, and complete a personal transportation journal. Source: San Mateo...
Field Research: Water
In this field research lesson, students learn about water habitats, conduct a home water audit, and reflect on ways they can save water. Source: San Mateo County Office of Education’s Environmental...
Field Research: Waste
In this field research lesson, students learn how to properly sort waste, study their personal waste habits, conduct a home waste audit, and reflect on ways they can reduce the amount of waste they...
Field Research: Energy
In this field research lesson, students investigate where energy comes from, conduct an energy walk-through of their home, and come up with a home energy conservation campaign. Source: San Mateo...
Resources for Grades 6 – 12
Choosing Earth’s Climate Future
In this lesson, students analyze and predict current and future impacts to Earth’s systems based on three societal choices to address climate change, explore how adaption and mitigation strategies...
Climate Leaders in Action: Waste
This module consists of four lessons that challenge students to examine issues around waste, waste management, and how everyday actions have an impact on ecosystems.Grade Level: 9 - 12 Source:...
How Disruptions Affect Animal Populations
In this lesson, students explore the effects that ecosystem disruptions have on animal populations and use evidence that they gather through media and background reading to produce an essay or...
Project Hero Soil Quest
In this project-based learning experience, students investigate the differences between healthy and unhealthy soil; examine the relationships that has soil with plants, animals, the atmosphere, and...
How Will We Create a Future Without Waste?
In this lesson, students learn about the Habits of a Systems Thinker and apply them to articles that explain how places and companies have already achieved “zero waste.” They explore the Material...
Energy Consulting 101
In this lesson, students learn about climate change, energy use, and auditing so they can become a remote energy consultant and identify ways to save money and energy. Grade Level: 9 - 12...
Member Resources
GSNN Members have access to additional curated resouces
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Educating in an Uncertain World: Virtual Learning Resources for Sustainability-Minded Educators
Since our last COVID-19 blog update, GSNN staff have been hard at work mining our resource database and those of our PD Collaborative Partners to curate a selection of age-appropriate lessons that are suited for virtual learning. These resources were vetted using a...
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The Next Best Thing: Preparing Students for Work in the 21st and 22nd Centuries
By. Drew Hirshon Innovation, by definition, is making something new or better. In essence, education is in an innovative state because the world is transforming before our eyes. If we as educators don’t evolve, we will be sending our students into the workforce...
Educating in an Uncertain World: How GSNN Can Help
Just like that, the world of education has been turned on its head. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to think outside the box to deliver the best education possible to our students. For many, the last few weeks have been spent navigating unchartered territory,...