ECO-SCHOOLS USA

GREEN STEM

National Wildlife Federation

Elizabeth Soper, Senior Director Education
America’s Regional v-meeting
October 4, 2021
 NATIONAL WILDLIFE
FEDERATION
ECO-SCHOOLS USA

Eco-Schools USA partner

since 2009
Over 5700 Eco-Schools
registered
Over 200 Green Flag Awards
Run LEAF as well
12 pathways of sustainability
3-tired award structure
 GREEN STEM

Green STEM is the

marriage between
traditional STEM and
environment-based
education. The
environment can be a
compelling context for
teaching STEM!
 BEST PRACTICES OF GREEN STEM

• Green STEM should focus on real-world

environmental issues, problems and
solutions
• Green STEM is open ended and inquiry
based
• Green STEM should engage students in
meaningful, productive teamwork and
promote collaboration.
• Green STEM should support all subject
areas – connect and integrate content
• Green STEM should allow for multiple
solutions and “embrace failure”
GREEN STEM GUIDEBOOK

Created by NYC Eco-Schools Green STEM

Advisory Board
Provides Case Studies of Green STEM in Action
Solar Powered Flood Rescue Hoovercraft
Biodiversity and Schoolgrounds
Sustainable Urban Agriculture
Billion Oyster Project
Saving Heat Energy
Vertical Hydroponic Gardening in an Urban Setting
Water and Oil Spills
School-wide Sustainability
Green STEM in the Classroom
PS 57, Staten Island
 GLOBE
G L O B A L L E A R N I N G A N D O B S E RVAT I O N S TO B E N E F I T T H E
ENVIRONMENT

GLOBE student data within the Atmosphere

Investigation aids scientific understanding of
spatial gaps in air temperature and precipitation
coverage by weather monitoring stations,
important data on aerosols and surface ozone. In
addition, atmospheric data play a critical role in
the calibration of satellite instruments collecting
data on, for example, clouds and aerosol

The Biosphere Investigation deals with the mapping and

monitoring of both surface and phonological indicators.
Students and scientists investigate soils through the collection
of data using measurement protocols and using instruments
that meet certain specifications in order to ensure that data
are comparable.
SCHOOLYARD HABITAT
PLANNING GUIDE

Created to support our Eco-

Schools Schoolyard Habitat
pathway
SYH’s create vital learning
environments for Green STEAM
Guidebook integrates Green
STEAM activities and lessons
through process of assessment,
design and implementation
Includes STEAM curriculum
connections
 S T E A M C E RT I F I C AT I O N
MI A M I - D A D E S C H O O L
D I S T RI C T

NWF supports M-DCPS district’s STEAM

initiatives by implementing NWF’s Green
STEAM and Eco-School USA curricula in the
participating public schools. 
NWF provides support to schools by
coordinating a number of interactions with the Environmental audits and lessons are aligned with
national science & math standards
students during the course of the school year. 
Each SY, our education manager provides 3 Certify the school as an Eco
STEAM lessons, 1 activity for teachers, and 1- School USA
The Eco- School USA
day summer PD training for teachers.  certification program is
one of the competitions
Each school NWF works with is required to accepted by the M-
DCPS STEAM School
register as an ES USA and the STEAM lessons Designation program
are connected to the Environmental Pathway
the school is working on for that particular SY.
Using the Google Earth application 5th
grade students draw the school
grounds map as part of the Schoolyard
Habitat Environmental Pathway audit.  Designed and created
rain garden to control
runoff

Gathering data
for biodiversity
audit
Soil and Water Quality testing
 WHY GREEN STEM?

• Increased engagement and enthusiasm for

learning;

• Greater pride and ownership in

accomplishments;

• Reduced discipline and classroom management

problems;

• Better performance on standardized measures

of academic achievement in reading, writing,
math, science, and social studies.

• Cultivates student leadership

• Supports green job growth

QUESTIONS?

Contact Information
Elizabeth Soper
soper@nwf.org