Education Committee
SUNY-ESF Seminar on Green & Sustainable
Schools II
6th Annual Green Building Conference
Syracuse, New York March 27 & 28, 2008
GreeningUSA’s Education Committee
Presentation
Contact Info:
President: Mark Naef
marknaef@choiceonemail.com
315-463-7266
Mission Statement update:
Greening USA advocates sustainable
communities to the benefit of local
economies and environments.
Three Primary Goals:
1. Promote, support and advocate
Sustainable Communities.
2. Develop a national membership base.
3. Foster synergy, awareness and linkages
with other Sustainability Organizations.
Supporting Objectives:
1. Educate others about Green and
Sustainable Communities.
2. Assemble Data and information resources.
3. Communicate, Promote and Advocate
Streamlining of Committees:
Education
“Twelve Traits of Sustainable
Communities”
Communication
Advocacy
Governance
GreeningUSA Board of Directors:
•President: Mark Naef
•Vice President: Peter Arsenault
•Treasurer: W. Calvin Bowne
•Secretary: David Ashley
•Kenneth Bobis
•Diane Brandli
•John Przepiora
•Mark Ranalli
•Tom Rhoads
•Jim Terrinoni
Accomplishments in 2007
•Membership growth
•Communications Programs
•Green Advocacy
•Education Programs
•Sustainable Communities
Green Advocacy in 2008 and beyond:
To advance our position as a leader
in Green advocacy.
Advance a sustainability platform.
Establishing City and County Green Teams.
Decentralized Energy and Net Metering.
Branding the CNY Sustainability Movement.
Green Advocacy in 2008 and beyond:
To assume a leadership and advisory role
for city and county government.
Help us, help you.
Money, staffing, resources.
12 traits of Sustainability,
let Syracuse be the proving ground.
Education Committee
SUNY-ESF Seminar on Green & Sustainable Schools II
6th Annual Green Building Conference
Syracuse, New York March 27 & 28, 2008
GreeningUSA’s Education Committee
Presentation
Contact Info:
Education Committee Chair: Ken Bobis, AIA, LEED AP
bobisk@sunyocc.edu
315-498-2171
Education Committee
EDUCATION COMMITTEE BACKGROUND:
Sustainability should be described as a four-legged stool:
Environment + Social Equity + Economy + EDUCATION
The Education Committee
consists of a diverse group
of dozens of people all
sharing the common goal of
promoting sustainability
education to people of all
ages.
Education Committee
EDUCATION COMMITTEE BACKGROUND:
The committee is working
on several activities
designed to help bring
“green” living education to
schools, neighborhoods
and individuals through
partnerships with state
and local institutions,
businesses and public
organizations.
Education Committee
A Bit of History:
2005 Main Focus
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Create an outline for the Education Trait for
the Sustainable Communities Rating
System
Create a mascot called ‘Greenie’ the Planet
The committee consisted of only 2 board members.
2006 Main Focus
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Further development of the Education Trait
Promoting sustainability education
(so that Greenie the Planet has a job)
A third board member joined the committee.
Education Committee
Recent History:
2007 Main Focus
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Get more people involved in both the
Education Trait and sustainability education
advocacy.
(Greenie took a back seat, way back.)
A fourth board member and a general member
formed an Education Steering Committee.
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We invited all GUSA members and other
people to a series of meetings in the
summer and fall of 2007 at Onondaga
Community College.
Dozens of diverse people committed to
sustainability education attended the meetings!
Education Committee
Sampling of attendees:
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Principal from BOCES
SCSD Board President
SCSD Teachers Center Staff
ESF Faculty
ESF Outreach representatives
Syracuse Center of Excellence
Sustainability Education
Curriculum Developers
Architects
Green Building Maintenance
Material Supplier
Faculty and staff from OCC
Interior Designers
Member of USAC (University
Sustainability Action Coalition)
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Project Manager from Cornell
Coop Extension
Baltimore Woods staff person
Engineers
Maxwell School Grad Student
Head of FOCUS Greater Syr.
Executive Director of Upstate
Chapter USGBC
Representatives from Go
Green Initiative
OCRRA staff
Naef Recyciling & GGI reps
Construction materials supplier
SCSD Facilities Architect
NYS DEC Representative
Education Committee
November 2007 Held a Brain-storming Session
Over 30 people contributed
all sorts of ideas about how
and what the Education
Committee should be doing.
Photo by Greg Michel
Education Committee
Charts and a system of stick-on colored dots
were used to help identify priorities.
Education Committee
Wild & Crazy ideas generated:
• Educate public at venues such as churches, shopping
malls (7 green)
• Coordinate curriculum throughout the grades k-12
(7 green)
• Green vocational training (10 green)
• Collaborate and share with SCSD on new sustainability
curriculum (7 green)
• Build on Go Green Initiative (6 green)
• Develop nature based programs (ie Baltimore Woods)
(3 green)
• Interface with schools and other charettes (1 green)
• Develop DVD (5 green)
Education Committee
More Wild & Crazy ideas generated:
• Communicate training opportunities
• Contribute talent to summer Science programs, Science
Horizons (3 green)
• Establish education database (post on GUSA website)
(1 green)
• Work on method of promoting sustainability communitywide (4 green)
• Traveling Kits of educational resources
(3 green, 1 yellow)
• Develop simple sustainability pamphlets for school
neighborhoods (6 green)
• Develop tools to educate how sustainability saves us $$
(5 green)
Education Committee
Advocate for Sustainability Education:
• Establish education resources
database
(post on GUSA website)
• Collaborate and share with
SCSD and other school districts
on new sustainability curriculum
• Work on method of promoting
sustainability community-wide
photo from SCSD
Education Committee
Sampling of Sustainability Education Resources
– Web Links:
http://www.getenergysmart.org/EnergyEducation/Workshop.aspx
NYS Energy & Research Development Agency
Receive excellent FREE curriculum, correlated to the New York State
Learning Standards in Math, Science, Technology, Social Studies,
English Language Arts, and Family and Consumer Science.
Teacher Training is FREE!
Curriculum includes: Energy Education Teacher’s Guide; information
packed CD that includes the Conceptual Framework for Energy
Education, basic info on energy and an Energy Glossary; color posters;
and class sets of the Energy Action Challenge to use with your students.
ABC’s of Energy K-3
4 E’s of Energy 4-6
Energy Trilogy 7-12
Education Committee
Sampling of Sustainability Education Resources
– Web Links:
http://www.eere.energy.gov/kids/
Includes the subtopics of Solar, wind, geothermal, alternative
fuels, energy efficiency and general renewable energy.
http://www.urbanoptions.org/SustainEdHandbook/
Sustainability Education Handbook: (K-12)
A Resource Guide for K-12 Teachers Incorporating the
Michigan State Framework Standards
Click on Sustainability Topics
www.nef1.org National Education Foundation
– tons of curricula offered (basis of NYSERDA curriculum)
Education Committee
Sampling of Sustainability Education Resources
– Web Links:
http://www.naaee.org/ North American Assoc for Environ’l Educ.
http://eelink.net/pages/EE-Link+Introduction
NAAEE EELINK
comprehensive list of links for teachers, professionals, organizations, higher ed.
http://www.epa.gov/enviroed/ EPA EE
http://www.awma.org/enviro_edu/index.html AWMA
AWMA Environmental Education Research Guides (EERG’s):
Learn about our Teacher-Training Program and resources for workshops
Download 4 free lessons from the Environmental Education Resource Guides
Preview our Environmental Education Curriculum
Education Committee
Sampling of Sustainability Education Resources
– Web Links:
http://www.epa.gov/enviroed/ EPA EE
www.dec.ny.gov/education/66.html NYS DEC education web
click on “workshops for educators”
www.NEED.org Nat’l Energy Education & Development Project
(example: click on For Students – click secondary – click geothermal)
www.EnergyWright.com (Click on Products - Energy Cycle)
http://www.takeahike.org/ Ctrs for Nature Educ./ Baltimore Woods
http://www.ateec.org/learning/ Advanced Tech & Environ’l Ctr
Excellent source for curricula
Education Committee
Sampling of Sustainability Education Resources
– Web Links:
Toolkits/Guides to Education for Sustainability (ESD/EFS)
http://www.esdtoolkit.org/esd_toolkit_v2.pdf
Education for Sustainable Development Toolkit (community/schools)
http://www.vtefs.org/resources/index.html
http://www.vtefs.org/resources/efslinks.html
Vermont Guide to Education for Sustainability & ESD links
Appendix in Resource Guide has good K-12 curriculum ideas
http://www.unesco.org/education/tlsf/
Teaching and Learning for a Sustainable Future
http://www.unesco.org/education/tlsf/TLSF/intro/uncofrm_0.htm
Module downloads (has excellent curriculum modules)
Education Committee
Where we are today:
The Education Committee is divided into two sub-committees:
• Education Trait Sub-committee
• ‘Curriculum’ Sub-committee
A singular high priority that had been talked about from the
beginning was how could GreeningUSA, in particular the
Education Committee, advance the “Quarter Mile Radius”
idea from the SDAT Report and SCSD goals.
The idea is to capitalize on the Syracuse City School
Renovations project by targeting neighborhoods within a
quarter mile radius of each school for improvement.
Education Committee
Education Committee
For a great 20 minute free video about
consumerism and the “story of stuff” from
extraction >manufacture > sale > use > disposal
Click on www.storyofstuff.org
Sustainability Academy
SUNY-ESF Seminar on Green & Sustainable
Schools II
6th Annual Green Building Conference
Syracuse, New York March 27 & 28, 2008
GreeningUSA’s Education Committee
Presentation
Contact Info:
Sustainability Academy Chair: Greg Michel
Cornell Cooperative Extension Onondaga
gsm54@cornell.edu
315-424-9485 x231
Sustainability Academy
Collaboration • Integration
Sustainability Academy
Objectives
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To empower citizens with knowledge, hands-on skills and motivation
necessary to contribute to a sustainable community
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Through a series of six, two-hour interactive sessions to be held one
night a week over the course of six consecutive weeks, participants
will:
– Develop a network of citizens concerned with local sustainability issues
– Gain the skills, know-how and access to resources to make informed
decisions on daily living based on sustainability principles (energy, food,
water, housing, waste)
– Learn about community design and how to effectively participate in
sustainable community development
– Learn about growing opportunities in “green collar” and sustainability
jobs
– Learn from successes and failures of sustainable community initiatives
worldwide
Sustainability Academy
Session Topics
1. "Sustainability, So what's the big deal?“
Quality of Life 101
2. "Food and stuff: green and on the cheap“
Sensible and Sustainable Living
3. "Home heat home“
Sustainable housing and energy
4. "My dream neighborhood“
Community Design and Participation (neighborhoods, cityscape,
green space, public transportation
5. "Learning for the future“
Education for Sustainability
6. "Smart business, smart growth“
Sustainable growth and development
Sustainability Academy
Implementation
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Pilot academy at Blodgett Middle School (one of the first phase
school renovation projects)
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Academy hopes to repeat itself at all interested city schools, areas
undergoing community development, and neighborhoods.
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Each Academy will have a similar structure, but will be unique to
neighborhoods’ needs (focus of sessions, length, content)
[Shea Middle, HW Smith PreK8, Clary Middle, Dr. Weeks Elementary,
Fowler HS, Institute of Technology]
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Pilot Academy will serve as a template to be adapted and improved
with input from all stakeholders.
Sustainability Academy
Planning Meetings
1. Jan 30
2. Mar 26
Sustainability Academy
Collaborators (in no particular order)
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Carrier Corp
Syracuse Center of Excellence
Musician (40 Below)
Planit
Citizens Campaign for the Environment
SCSD Field Coordinator for Science and
Technology
US Green Building Council
NYS Parks
OCCRA Recycling Specialist
ESF Continuing Education Coordinator
Ashley McGraw Architects
SUNY-OCC
Upstate Worm Farm
Sierra Club
Southside Neighborhood Action Group
Blodgett School
Naef Recycling
Baltimore Woods
Citizens Campaign for the Environment
Alchemical Nursery Project
Home Headquarters
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Empire State College
Onondaga Environmental Institute
GIS expert
Cornell Cooperative Extension
GW Associates
Atlantic States Legal Foundation
Syracuse Diocese
City of Syracuse Community Development
SUNY-ESF
Syracuse City School District
CNY Works
Interreligious Food Consortium
Westside Community School Initiative
Energy Wright
Syracuse Teacher Center
Residents
Sustainability Academy
1. "Sustainability, So what's the big deal?“
Quality of Life 101
Session will introduce the concept of
sustainability in a context relevant to the
audience, as well as give an overview of
sessions to come.
COE, FOCUS Greater Syracuse, Greening USA, SDAT, USGBC
Sustainability Academy
2. "Food and stuff: green and on the cheap“
Sensible and Sustainable Living
Session will offer hands on activities highlighting
the importance of healthy and safe food and
products in daily life, and where they go after we
use them. The session will provide resources for
attendants to tap into what is available in the
community.
Food Coop, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Intereligious Food
Consortium, Hunger Project, Food Growers, OCRRA, NAEF Recycling
Sustainability Academy
3. "Home heat home“
Sustainable housing and energy
Session will include demo’s of do-ityourself energy efficiency projects and a
walk through of energy efficiency financing
application.
Center of Excellence, CCE, Home Headquarters, GreenHomes,
NYSERDA
Sustainability Academy
4. "My dream neighborhood“
Community Design and Participation
Session will engage participants in a
hands-on visioning process about their
neighborhood. Participants will articulate
what they would like in their community in
contrast to their real situation and identify
needed changes.
Community Planning, Community Geographer, Greenspace Groups,
Onondaga Creek groups
Sustainability Academy
5. "Learning for the future“
Education for Sustainability
Session will focus on the possibilities
stemming from school renovations,
workforce development and green job
opportunities.
SCSD, Greening USA, SDAT, Urban Design Institute, Baltimore
Woods, SANE, ESF, OCC, Empire State College, SU
Sustainability Academy
6. "Smart business, smart growth“
Sustainable growth and development
Session will focus on the benefits of locally
owned businesses, efficient use of natural
and built infrastructure, discussion about
how to deal with development without
gentrification
Sustainability Academy
Academy Online Portal
Sustainability Academy
General Feedback
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Need a job focus
There should be a session/group focusing on water Sessions stretching
beyond one month will be too much.
Sessions should be no longer than 90 minutes
Simplify the lingo
Spanish translation a must
There should be food, child care, and transportation. (Several people)
Get this going and make sure all of the renovation school principals know
what you are doing (Superintendent Lowengard)
Coordinate with other initiatives in the neighborhood
Right after school is better
What about residents that don’t have kids in schools?
Have a one day festive event
How can we share info offline in addition to online portal?
Sustainability Academy
Timeline
• April-August
– Develop relationships with community groups, attend school and
community group events
– Develop tools to assess community needs and format of
Academy
– Develop session content, contact facilitators
– Inform all phase one renovation school principals of efforts
• September
– Attend Blodgett Open House
– Invite parents, community members
• October
– Blodgett Sustainability Academy
CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS
PARTICIPATE INDIVIDUALLY
Join or renew your membership in
GreeningUSA for 2008.
Committees are accepting volunteers.
Sign up today to participate in the
group of your choice.
PARTICIPATE AS A BUSINESS or
ORGANIZATION
Inquire about sponsorship.
Support individual membership and
involvement.
Network with other organizations and
members.
Sign Up Today!
Or go to www.GreeningUSA.org
Education Committee
SUNY-ESF Seminar on Green & Sustainable
Schools II
6th Annual Green Building Conference
Syracuse, New York March 27 & 28, 2008
GreeningUSA’s Education Committee
Presentation
Mark Naef
Ken Bobis
Greg Michel
Contact Info:
marknaef@choiceonemail.com
bobisk@sunyocc.edu
gsm54@cornell.edu