2013 Learn Green Conference Presentations
Please note: Sessions are listed alphabetically by presentation title, followed by strand(s) and
short description. All presentations are 45 minutes. The full schedule and final version of
presentation descriptions will be available and posted by October 25.
1-2-3 Steps to Develop a Community Wellness Team at Your School Site
Strand(s): Health and Wellness and Community Partnerships
Presenter will provide resources, sample action plans and materials for a successful wellness program.
Step 1- Set a Goal and Develop a Team. Step 2- Create an Action Plan. Step 3- Implement a Personalized
School Plan.
2012 – 2013 School Construction Lessons Learned
Strand(s): Sustainable Facilities- Design & Management
This session is designed to list and discuss interesting nuances on design and construction issues that the
Palm Beach School District faced this year, in order to continually adjust business practices for the most
economic and efficient public works.
2013 Special Session: Green to the Core!
Strand: Curriculum
Come and learn how green school initiatives can be connected to the Common Core standards. This
engaging panel of school district administrators, principals and teachers will share how a deeper
understanding of Green Schools supports the Common Core initiatives and cross-curricular standards
surrounding project-based learning.
Asthma-Friendly Schools Program- A Palm Beach County School District/American Lung Association
Partnership
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Strand(s): Health and Wellness and Community Partnerships
The Palm Beach County School District’s – Asthma Friendly Schools Program is an innovative partnership
with the American Lung Association’s Southeast Chapter. This presentation will outline the program
parameters, explain the benefits to students & staff and provide guidance for program implementation.
Butterfly Gardening for Beginners
Strand(s): School Grounds Enhancement and Sustainable Facilities-Design and Management
Step by step suggestions on planning a Butterfly Garden to enhance school grounds. The same
procedures could also apply to other public grounds. Lists will be provided for the nectar and host plants
needed to attach South Florida’s butterflies. Students are able to observe the life cycles of a variety of
butterflies. Use of native plants and Florida Friendly Yard practices are strongly suggested.
Carton Recycling in Schools
Strand(s): School Sustainability
As educators and recycling coordinators in our local communities, we are always looking for
opportunities to increase waste diversion and recycling both at home and at school. Cartons are more
commonly recycled in communities than ever before – almost 45% of US households have access to
carton recycling - making it ideal to develop collection programs at schools. By adding cartons to school
recycling programs, schools have the opportunity to divert several thousand pounds per year of waste –
which can also lead to a potential cost savings on disposal fees. Carton recycling, as with all recycling at
schools, creates environmental stewards in our students, which carries over from school to the home. I
will provide an overview on best practices for setting up a carton recycling program at your local school
and discuss how, by adding cartons, schools dramatically increase waste diversion and greatly reduce
waste collection costs. The presentation will include best practices from some local schools in West
Palm Beach and other school districts in Florida and around the country.
CHOOSE2REUSE::CREATE2EDUCATE: INCORPORATING REUSABLE MATERIALS INTO YOUR
CURRICULUM
Strand(s): Curriculum Integration and Community Partnerships
LOOKING TO PROVIDE YOUR STUDENTS MORE CREATIVE OUTLETS WHILE BEING ENVIRONMENTALLY
RESPONSIBLE? RESOURCE DEPOT WILL PRESENT SEVERAL IDEAS FOR HOW TO INCORPORATE RESUABLE
MATERIALS INTO ANY CURRICULUM TO PROMOTE OPEN-ENDED THINKING AND CREATIVITY, ALL WHILE
CONNECTING TO BENCHMARKS AND CORE STANDARDS. GUARANTEED TO CHANGE YOU’RE APPROACH
TO “ORDINARY TRASH”… AND TO “ORDINARY TEACHING”!
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Climate Change is Elementary
Strand(s): Innovative Programs and Practices
We’ll replicate activities that make learning fun and age-appropriate. Refined in 17 schools in 5 states,
our one-day program obtains commitment to actions that families and students promise to undertake
to go green, regardless of belief about Global Warming. We leave your school with a Green Team and
workable plans.
Climate Science in the Elementary Classroom
Strand(s): Curriculum Integration
In this session, you will gather necessary climate change background knowledge and resources, along
with specific techniques for addressing misconceptions. This session will provide you with online
resources and hands-on activities that will engage students and immerse them in such a pressing
current topic.
Cool Roofing & Renewable Energies (Solar)
Strand(s): Sustainable Facilities- Design & Management
Cool Roofing- more energy efficient buildings, recyclable products, FPL, State, County, & City Incentives
(rebates), renewable energies.
Creating Wildlife Habitats and Outdoor Classrooms
Strand(s): School Grounds Enhancement
Learn the importance of wildlife habitats and how to create them at your school. Explore the endless
educational opportunities that can be created for the students and the benefits for children learning in
the outdoors.
CSI (CLIMATE SCIENCE INVESTIGATIONS): SOUTH FLORIDA
Strand(s): Curriculum Integration
Go inside the mind of a skeptic! Climate Science Investigations (CSI): South Florida is an online,
interactive series of modules and teaching resources under development at FAU Center for
Environmental Studies. This session reviews the Weather & Climate module. Participants gather
evidence and play the role of scientist to support or refute skeptics’ claims, by examining extreme
weather events.
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Cultivating Outdoor Classrooms in South Florida: An Eco-Art South Florida Initiative
Strand(s): School Sustainability and School Grounds Enhancement
Outdoor classrooms provide a rich outdoor locus for demonstrating the STEAM (Science, Technology,
Engineering, Arts and Math) approach to curriculum development and implementation. Pioneering
outdoor learning across the curriculum, through art, is the critical next step in significantly expanding
corps of informed and committed environmental advocates with skill in utilizing combinations of
science, art and engagement to enhance ecological health. In this presentation, we will introduce the
concept of outdoor classrooms as EcoArt and share both real world and theoretical examples of outdoor
learning environments.
Eco-Art: Integrating Science and the Arts for Ecological Literacy
Strand(s): Curriculum Integration
Introducing creativity and a place-based focus into education is vital for building bonds between humans
and the natural world that result in lifelong environmental stewardship. In this workshop, science and
art join to bring awareness through practical application that inspires student connection to local
environments using art and gardening.
Engage the Digital Learner and Give Students a Voice through Educate & Act--A comprehensive
environmental education curriculum for grades 3-12
Strand(s): Curriculum Integration
Educate & Act® is a free environmental curriculum designed for grades 3-12. It provides 21 curriculum
units that cover a large range of topics. For classroom use or a student Green Team. Units include
lessons, presentation materials, web resources and activities. Hear an overview of the program, view
student projects and learn how to access the materials.
Envision the Future of Solid Waste Management
Strand(s): Community Partnerships and School Sustainability
Come learn about the Renewable Energy Facility # 2 being constructed here in Palm Beach County. This
project is the first of its kind in more than 15 years in the US. Participants will learn about key features
to the facility and about the new LEED Platinum Certified Visitors Center.
Farmer Jay's Jr. Sprouts
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Strand(s): Health and Wellness and School Sustainability and Community Partnerships
Farmer Jay's Jr. Sprouts program is a nine class program that introduces kids to agriculture and teaches
them how to grow food. This program is for K-5th grade and can be integrated into any teaching
program or used to enrich an aftercare or summer program.
Fight Climate Change at the School and Community Level
Strand(s): School Sustainability and Innovative Programs and Practices
Fight climate change at the school and community level, and raise funds at the same time. Information
regarding the greenhouse effect, climate change, and a fundraising opportunity that will raise
awareness, educate, and offer a way for all of us to do our part in the fight against climate change.
Food Waste 101: What it is and how your students can help
Strand(s): School Sustainability
Food Waste is an important problem you can help solve! This presentation will discuss the nature of
Food Waste, the scope of the problem including Waste at home and school, and its environmental
impacts. Activities and lessons that can be used to address this issue will be described.
Fun Green Lessons for Elementary School
Strand(s): Curriculum Integration
Explore how being “green” can be an engaging context for teaching core content and skills in grades K-5!
This session walks through curricula and best practices for exploring key green concepts at the
elementary level. We will highlight three focus areas: energy and water conservation, biodiversity, and
food systems.
Gardening the Ergonomic Way
Strand(s): Health and Wellness
Gardening is the #1 hobby in the US. But for many children and adults, it’s not the pleasure it could be.
Ergonomic practices reduce the stress on our bodies and increase enjoyment in the garden. Come and
learn timely ergonomic gardening techniques for designing, planting, and tending a garden.
Green Apple Day of Service--How to get involved
Strand(s): Community Partnerships and School Sustainability
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Green Apple gives individuals, companies and organizations the opportunity to transform all our schools
into healthy, safe, cost-efficient and productive learning places where students have clean and healthy
air to breathe, where energy and resources are conserved, and where they can be inspired to dream of a
brighter future.
Green Schools Recognition Program Workshop 101
Strand: Innovative Programs and Practices
All public and private K-12 Palm Beach and Martin county schools can be a part of this program that
recognizes schools for taking a holistic approach for going green. This program components consider
school ground enhancement, resource conservation, curriculum connections, community involvement
and a school-wide commitment to and focus on sustainability. By attending this workshop schools have
taken the first (required) step to becoming a Green School.
Green Solutions for Waterless Urinals and Floor Drains
Strand(s): Sustainable Facilities-Design and Management
"Most schools do not give their floor drain a second thought until there is a problem such as insects,
sewer odors, and/or back flow. Since floor drains are the gateway to the spread of dangerous bacterium
and other health hazards, SparkleTeam will present an eco-friendly and efficient way to prevent insects,
block foul sewer odors and dangerous bacterium from escaping the sewer system.
GreenSchools! for Early Childhood
Strand(s): Innovative Programs and Practices
PLT’s GreenSchools! is developing an innovative program specifically targeting facilities that serve Early
Childhood students. If you have a facility that serves young children ages 3-6 this focus group session is
for you. Share in the draft outline of facility and program guidelines and provide meaningful input into
the new materials. Participants will receive the PLT Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood as
part of the session.
Growums- Add A Little Character to Your Garden
Strand(s): Health and Wellness
Growing Health, Wellness & Education with themed garden kits such as Pizza, Taco, Salads and more. A
fun cast of characters called Growums come to life on the internet and give animated lessons from seed
to harvest. Growums programs include: Discount Purchasing for Education, New Electronic Fundraising,
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Green "S' Cool Program (Students with "Growing Pals" in the USA & Other Countries), Growums Goes to
the Fair Community Involvement Growing Contests & How to Maximize Your Award Points.
Health: One Bite at a Time
Strand(s): Health and Wellness and Innovative Programs and Practices
Raise your forks high and cheer as we learn how to make food and lifestyle choices work for us instead
of against us. Join Whole Foods Market as we discuss making friends with food, eating to promote
overall wellness, and tweaks for lifelong health. May the fork be with you in good health and wellness,
always.
Healthy Happy Kids
Strand(s): Health and Wellness and Innovative Programs and Practices
As teachers, parents and caring adults, we work hard to give our children every advantage. But what
about their nutritional health? “Children are more harmed by poor diet, than by exposure to alcohol,
drugs and tobacco combined.” Join us for some simple steps to having healthy happy kids.
Improving Public School Cafeteria Food
Strand(s): Health and Wellness and School Sustainability and Community Partnerships
The food served in the cafeterias of public schools need our close attention. In this presentation, the
common lunch items served in public school cafeterias and their nutritional values will be presented. A
number of feasible alternative healthy food choices and their nutritional values and the ways of making
these foods available in the school cafeterias will be offered.
It's Easy to be Green
Strand(s): Health and Wellness
We all want to live and work in an environment that takes “Going Green” seriously, but don’t always
know how to make the necessary changes to make that a reality. In this seminar you will be given realworld examples to help you to take small and attainable steps towards sustainability.
Kids Connections: Science and Nature
Strand(s): Curriculum Integration and Innovative Programs and Practices
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The Arthur R. Marshall Foundation delivers interactive Everglades science-based education for a range
of learners. Discover opportunities and methods to connect kids with nature and promote ecoliteracy all
while strengthening Common Core scientific concepts.
Leading for Regeneration and Sustainability in Schools: A Phenomenological Study of the Schools of
Excellence in Palm Beach and Martin Counties
Strand(s): Innovative Programs and Practices and School Sustainability
The purpose of this study is to understand and describe the attributes and skills of successful
sustainability leaders (teachers and/or administrators) in Palm Beach and Martin County whose schools
have been recognized as Schools of Excellence by the Palm Beach Green School Recognition Program.
Learning Green at the Palm Beach Zoo
Strand(s): Curriculum Integration and Innovative Programs and Practices
Learn how the Palm Beach Zoo can enhance your science curriculum and assist you in meeting your
NGSSS and Common Core standards. This presentation will introduce tours of our LEED-certified animal
hospital, virtual field trips, and other science and environmental-themed programs. Grant funding is
available for selected programs.
LEED for Existing Schools-Green Schools in Action
Strand(s): School Sustainability and Sustainable Facilities-Design and Management
LEED for Existing Building Operations and Maintenance (EBOM) is the roadmap for Greening an existing
school as well as insuring a newly constructed green school stays a green school. This takes teamwork
and commitment from administrators, staff, students and the community. We'll explore what's already
been done and what the future holds!
No Garden--No Problem
Strand(s): Innovative Programs & Practices and Curriculum Integration
Students are eager to learn about gardening and growing. Parents/ volunteers / teachers can bring the
basics of growing into the classroom, even without a garden. Review three interactive lessons
presented to K-3 students – all of which are approximately ½ hr. in length and appropriate for an indoor
classroom.
Pine Jog's Afterschool Green Hour: Fostering Environmental Literacy
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Strand(s): Curriculum Integration and Innovative Programs and Practices
FAU/Pine Jog has developed an Environmental Literacy Curriculum geared to Afterschool settings
addressing EE Learner Guidelines/state standards. 3-5 graders engage in a year-long exploration of
environmental topics organized into six thematic modules. Presenters will share lessons learned/impact
on students.
Promoting marine science and conservation through film: the Youth Making Ripples initiative
Strand(s): Innovative Programs and Practices and Curriculum Integration
The goal of the Youth Making Ripples initiative is to use filmmaking as a platform to excite and engage
students about marine science. The annual Youth Making Ripples competition will challenge K-12
student to create short (<5min) films about a marine-science-related topic of their choice that aligns
with science standards.
Rain Garden Design: Reduce Stormwater Runoff, Recharge the Groundwater and Create an Outdoor
Classroom
Strand(s): School Grounds Enhancement and Community Partnerships
At Young Middle Magnet School in Tampa, FL students work along-side University of South Florida
College of Engineering doctoral students to construct a rain garden on Young’s campus. The year-long
rain garden project has helped alleviate flooding and stormwater runoff improving water quality and
recharging the groundwater supply. Participants will explore the process for constructing a rain garden
with students and how it is used as an outdoor classroom space. They will receive lessons for classroom
use and a 4 day unit created for Young’s Summer Science Camp.
Recycled Rubber and its solutions--Powered by Rainbow Turf Products
Strand(s): Sustainable Facilities-Design and Management
Delegates will gain a thorough understanding of the recycled rubber, its origins, compositions and
application into facility designs and outdoor spaces. We will discuss the variety of ways rubber can
mitigate drainage issues, provide attenuation surfaces to exercise, work and play on, the aesthetic
landscaping approaches and more.
Recycling Contests
Strand(s): School Sustainability and Curriculum Integration
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Do you need a fun and creative way to encourage recycling at your school? A recycling contest is easy to
implement with many rewards. The goals of this project are to increase the amount of recycled
materials and develop awareness about the importance of recycling with gained environmental benefits.
Salt Water Air Conditioning: Smarter Dehumidification and Cooling
Strand(s): Sustainable Facilities-Design and Management
Salt water air conditioning: an alternative, efficient solution to dehumidification and cooling. Learn how
salt water A/C effectively cools, dries and cleans the air naturally and also reduces energy consumption
by over 30%.
SCALe--Integrating "A" into STEM
Strand(s): Curriculum Integration
SCALe, is an award winning educational program that is specifically designed to integrate the concepts
of sustainability, community, architecture, leadership and education to understand how to design and
build sustainable, climate resilient cities. Learn how Integrating the “A” into STEM, strengthens cross ‐
disciplinary learning and critical thinking.
Seeds 2 Supper
Strand(s): Health and Wellness and Community Partnerships
Through the success of Saint Joseph’s Episcopal School’s “Seeds 2 Supper” garden program, learn how to
grow a green learning culture and environment based on educational, experiential, hands-on, and
interactive participation that empowers all members of your school to take ownership in green school
initiatives.
Starting a Green Schools Program in Your School District
Strand(s): Innovative Programs and Practices
Come learn about how Orange County started its own Green School Recognition Program.
Student Energy Auditors
Strand(s): Curriculum Integration and Innovative Programs and Practices
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The course is the actual student course we offer for middle or high school students. The purpose is to
introduce educators to the presentation. This is a Prezi Presentation, which is a dynamic presentation
software, and teaches the basics of how students can become energy auditors at school and at home.
Sustainable Food Choices
Strand(s): Health and Wellness
This presentation focuses on increasing awareness in our schools of how our food choices affect, not
only our health, but also the use of renewable and non-renewable natural resources. The presenter will
highlight local, regional and national initiatives that are applicable in-side and out-side of the classroom.
There will be an opportunity for participants to interact and contribute ideas.
Take Initiative and Manage Stress
Strand(s): Health and Wellness
What if you knew that having a positive outlook could improve your health? Reducing stress, having an
active lifestyle, and writing about your feelings can lead to reduced stress and increased happiness. In
order to take care of others, you also need to take care of yourself.
Taking Action to Clean-Up Toxics: Keeping Classrooms Safe for Students
Strand(s): Community Partnerships and School Sustainability
Do you want a safe and healthy classroom for your students? Learn how to identify products with toxic
chemicals commonly found in classrooms and replace them with safer alternatives. We will provide you
with the tools to keep your classroom safer for students and bring advocacy to the classroom to teach
students and parents how to be conscious consumers!
Teaching Environmental Awareness through Art, Literacy and Science
Strand(s): Curriculum Integration
This presentation will focus on how elementary teachers can incorporate environmental awareness into
their lesson plans in the area of literacy, science, and art based common core standards.
The Garden is Growing… What's Next?
Strand(s): School Grounds Enhancement and Curriculum Integration
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Your campus can become a treasure trove for learning in all content areas. Presenters Linda Petuch and
Laurie Mecca, Pine Jog Elementary's "Soil Sisters", will share projects and ideas to help you get started,
or expand, your existing Outdoor Classroom program.
The GreenSchools! Partnership: Pine Jog and PLT
Strand(s): School Sustainability
PLT’s GreenSchools! program is now a partner with FAU/Pine Jog’s Green Schools Recognition Program.
This session will highlight the resources of the PLT GreenSchools! program that are now available to all
the schools in the program. Join us to learn more about the program and get free online access to PLT
GreenSchools! resources, grant opportunities, and materials.
Trees: Simple, Sustainable Solutions to Complex Problems
Strand(s): Health and Wellness and School Sustainability
"Memory Trees works with teachers, parents and students to educate and excite people about making
healthy food and lifestyle choices. School gardens and self-sustaining fruit tree orchards are a core
focus. We’re all about the trees… delivering healthy, natural, organic food… and feeding the hungry in a
sustainable manner!
Using Your Noodle: Simple Ways to Integrate Fun Physical Activity Breaks into any K-5 Classroom
Strand(s): Health and Wellness
Join this high-energy session to learn fun and easy strategies for improving focus, energizing, and
engaging your K-5 students with 3-5 minute desk-side physical activity breaks! Studies consistently
demonstrate that physical activity is associated with improved academic achievement, academic
behaviors, and cognitive skills. (A handout and web links will be provided.)
Water Quality and Treatment: Benefits for Energy and Water Conservation
Strand(s): Sustainable Facilities- Design and Management
Since 1977, South Florida has focused upon water and energy conservation in school grounds and
physical plants. While water quality was always a design and operational concern, the link between
water quality treatment and conservation was never really established. Recent safety initiatives have
emphasized the need to strengthen this link.
Water Ventures
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Strand(s): Curriculum Integration
Water Ventures, Florida's learning lab brings the story of Florida's biodiversity hydrogeology and
watershed stewardship to life. Educational overview of the educational and engaging science activities
that are available for free to students in Florida when Water Ventures visits their schools and
communities.
Why Your Food Choice Matters
Strand(s): Health and Wellness
Learn about how your food choices impact not just your health, but the health of the environment, the
economy and even the changing climate.
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