Washington Green Schools has pivoted its offerings to help reach students in their home environment. Many Green Teams around Clark County use certification as a framework for their environmental projects. It's a great way to have a structure and focus and also receive recognition for their efforts at a statewide level.
Traditionally schools could certify in waste and recycling, water, transportation, healthy school buildings, energy and school grounds and gardens. We realized a need for certification in this time of online education and knew the typical certification avenues would prove to be difficult in a remote environment. We worked with Washington Green Schools to develop their seventh certification category.
At-Home Certification
At-Home Certification allows students to take what they've learned in class or Green Team and apply it at home. Certification projects involve carbon reducing activities and are flexible for different grade levels. The Carbon Calculator gives them real data on what their good work at home does for the planet. Students can be the Green Team leader of their home! Check out the full At-Home Certification Kit here.
Actions include:
- Adjust the thermostat
- Turn off water during daily activities, like washing hands and brushing teeth
- Reduce waste from going to the landfill
- Avoid meat for one day
- Switch to natural cleaners
- Bike or walk instead of drive
- Plant a raised garden bed or container garden
Carbon Calculator Tool
Carbon calculator tool
For full access to the Carbon Calculator, click here. You can open it in Excel or Google. Take time to look through the various at-home projects and see how the reductions could affect carbon consumption.
Get the help you need to get started
We'd love to offer support and help you get started. We held a training at the end of October. If you missed it, the recording of the training is here. The password is fall20.
We are also offering virtual check-ins with Washington Green Schools in December and January. Register here for a time that works for you.
- Receive answers regarding the At-Home Certification Kit and the At-Home Carbon Calculator Tool
- Get specialized support and attention from Washington Green Schools staff
- Connect with a growing community of local Green Team Leaders
This is an opportunity to receive one-on-one support and advice regarding how to engage your Green Team with the certification process and how to hit the ground running in the new year!