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: Food Systems
In this field research lesson, students learn about our food system, conduct a survey to determine what types of edible plants grow in their neighborhood, trace food origins and calculate food...
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
Engaging in the Fight Against Extinction
In this curricular unit (three lesson plans), students research human and environmental drivers of mass extinction and learn how the loss of one species impacts other species and biomes. After...
Climate Change Challenge
In this curricular unit (three lesson plans), students examine causes and impacts of climate change on Earth’s atmosphere and oceans, as well as mitigation and adaptation strategies. After...
Transportation Analyst 101
In this lesson, students learn about climate change and modes of transportation, create a sustainable dream vacation, and conduct a personal transportation assessment. Grade Level: 9 - 12...
Solar Design 101
In this lesson, students learn the basics of solar science and site assessment, conduct research for a solar site analysis, and design a solar array using SketchUp, a computer automated design...
A Problem is a Solution in the Wrong Place
In this lesson, students consider the idea of “zero waste” and their part in making this a reality. Students go on a waste hunt to survey and document items that are thrown away. Then, using the...
Knowledge to Action Framework
World Savvy’s Knowledge to Action framework is a design thinking-based process that helps students build knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors for global competency. Students research issues...
Member Resources
GSNN Members have access to additional curated resouces
The Latest from the GreenNotes Blog
Addressing Air Quality: Student-Led Investigations Explore Solutions for Mold and Pollution at School and in the Community
By. Valerie Ziegler The Green Academy Every year, the senior class of the Green Academy at Abraham Lincoln High School in San Francisco is asked, “What environmental problem in your community would you like to address?” When the program began in 2012, the first few...
Using Existing Buildings as Teaching Tools: Investigating Indoor Environmental Quality at Adams 12 Five Star Schools
By. Shannon Oliver Walking the halls of North Mor Elementary School in Northglenn, Colorado, the design advisory group makes note of various building components for bond planning: movable partition walls (some of which don’t move well), operable windows that no longer...
Green Commuting Challenge
By. Duke Davidson Reprinted with permission from Green Teacher #112, Winter 2017. Learn more about Green Teacher’s nonprofit magazine and books at www.greenteacher.com.
Clean, Green Yellow School Bus Machines: A District’s Quest to Adopt a Propane-Fueled Fleet
By. Nathan Graf San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD), located in San Antonio, Texas, operates around 145 daily school bus routes that serve almost 50,000 students. The diesel exhaust emitted by school buses that travel these routes each day is problematic...
From Our Executive Director: Equity and Justice Lead to Sustainability
To our community, Recent events have forced us to face that racism, police brutality, and systemic inequities continue to prevail. The killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and so many others are symptoms of the unsustainable nature of our...
Biodiesel Fuels Real-World Learning at Rockwood Summit High School
By. Darrin Peters It was early in the spring semester of 2009. I was teaching a unit on hydrocarbons in my Organic Chemistry class at Rockwood Summit High School in Fenton, Missouri. During a class discussion about hydrocarbons as a fuel source for vehicles, I...