Improving the Curious Community: Part 1

This week we will continue to celebrate the role education plays in creating positive change.  In particular, we will be highlighting a few programs that are working to educate K-12 students on the importance of environmental stewardship and a healthy lifestyle. The series will then culminate with a feature on Brooklyn Elementary, a local school putting these programs to use. So join us as we discuss these programs and please feel free to comment with additional program ideas or questions. I would love to hear what you’ve been doing to improve our Curious Community!

The Program:

We will start the week by discussing the Green and Healthy Schools Wisconsin program, which encourages staff and students to engage in environmental stewardship while learning healthy habits. Administered through the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Public Instruction and the Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education, the program promotes education and action in nine areas including:

•   community involvement

•   energy

•   environmental and sustainability education

•   environmental health

•   health and wellness

•   recycling and waste management;

•   school site

•   transportation

•   water

The Rewards:

Both public and private K-12 schools in Wisconsin are invited to participate in the program by filling out the free application at: http://eeinwisconsin.org/net/content/go.aspx?s=111080.0.16.2209

The application requires school leaders to write a short essay and share information on energy usage and current related initiatives such as school gardens or exercise programs. Once the application is complete and accepted, the school will be named a Sprout level school.  The Green and Healthy Wisconsin program will then send an information packet to the school with additional details. Over time, the school can then work towards Seedling status, which requires the school to document achievement in one of the nine focus areas. The next step is to become a Sapling school, which requires that school to show achievement in five areas. Finally, when achievement has been shown in all nine areas the school will reach Sugar Maple status which will allow the school to become eligible for grants.

Perhaps the best part of the program, however, is its emphasis on community. Whether it is sharing information through a school newsletter, building a school garden together or working with local leaders to minimize the school’s carbon footprint, every bit of the program bridges science and the community, which is something we love at the Curious Columnist!

So, want to become involved? An information on the Green and Healthy Program Wisconsin is available at: http://eeinwisconsin.org/net/org/info.aspx?s=110993.0.0.2209

Want to see the program in action?  Then be sure to check back next week as we highlight a local school that is participating in the Green and Healthy Schools Wisconsin program!