1. THE GREEN TEAM An Environmental Club for Massachusetts Schools www.thegreenteam.org A Program of The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs and The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Administered by the Center for EcoTechnology www.cetonline.org
2. What is The Green Team? The Green Team is an interactive educational program that empowers Massachusetts students and teachers to help the environment and slow climate change through waste reduction, reuse, recycling, composting, pollution prevention and energy conservation. The Green Team provides resources free of charge to teachers to reduce waste and save energy in their schools, homes and communities. The program also rewards classes that successfully complete one or more of the suggested activities.
5. Benefits of joining The Green Team: Help the Environment: By recycling, composting and reducing pollution, help conserve natural resources, preserve open space, and keep our air and water clean. Receive Educational Materials: Classes will receive a poster, achievement stickers, lesson plans and other resources. Be Inspired and Help Others: Through periodic email updates and announcements. Use Green Team Activities to Teach Skills Tested on the MCAS: Lesson plans and activities are aligned with Massachusetts Department of Education Curriculum Frameworks for Science and Technology/Engineering, Mathematics, English Language Arts, and History and Social Science. Win Great Awards: Each participating class receives a Certificate of Recognition, student prizes and entry into a drawing for grand prizes such as a schoolwide entertaining performance. Get Free Recycling Equipment: Eligible classes may receive recycling bins, toters and compost bins. Enjoy Green Team Library Privileges : Have access to videos, books, curricula and recycling activity kits. Build Team Spirit: Work together to green up your school!
6. The Green Team is sponsored by: The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs and The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection For more information, visit www.thegreenteam.org How do I join The Green Team?: Teachers in Massachusetts schools can sign up at www.thegreenteam.org Simply click on the Register Now button at the top of the home page. For more information: 413-586-7350 x 225 [email_address]
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18. More Green Team Tools View Participating Schools: Use the Green Team database to share information with other teachers. Look at the General Recycling Facts: Putting recycling into quantifiable references helps students to understand the big picture. Newsletters: Read about the accomplishments and prize winners from previous school years and enjoy the Summer Newsletters that include pictures and highlights from the school year. Links: Enjoy the extensive list links on everything from governmental agencies, recycling, to contests, events and much more. Individual questions answered: Contact me if you have questions, need assistance, or have an idea for the Green Team.
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20. The Green Team is sponsored by: The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs and The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Thank You! www.thegreenteam.org Sean Pontani, Program Administrator 413-586-7350 x 225 [email_address]
Editor's Notes
Green Team started in 2003 Spin-off of the REAPS Program – Recycling Education Assistance for Public Schools Recycling was working, now on to other issues The Center for EcoTechnology Everything from renewable energy to waste issues in businesses, schools and communities. Teaching a science class Classroom presentations Recycling programs Administer the GT
It can be hard to initiate “Green” programs like recycling in a school. Nothing beats the support of the administration, principals, teachers and maintenance staff. One motivated and dedicated person is all it takes to get one off the ground. PTO volunteers have gotten involved to assist the teachers. GT has a plethora of tools: lesson plans, activity sheets, links, and prizes. We have small classes to regional high school taking part. The program fits many needs. The Green Team is great for new “Green” programs as it has a lot of structure that can be taken advantage of. It is also great for long running programs as it has a range of activities to keep students interested and has a simple incentive program with prizes to reward the students.
No membership fee Website, lesson plans, lending library, Free materials, recycling equipment, e-newsletter, and prizes.
Help the Environment: We are all Green at this conference, or you have realized that being green can save you money Recycling, Lights out, Turn engines off Free materials Monthly emails with “Green” topics, events and contests. Activities can be incorporated into lesson plans Rewards: Certificate, small prizes, edutainers Free Equipment Lending Library Team Spirit – Kids get involved and take ownership.
Go to website Can register with brochure
This site has a lot of information Number of Teachers, Students, Schools Registration Button
Very simple. Very quick. You can fax in your registration from the brochure as well. It is best if each class registers separately from the school, but either will work.
Your registration comes to me. Once entered into the Green Team Database, a Green Team Kit is mailed out to you. This is why you want each class to register. **SHOW KIT! All items are available off this page.
Explains how the Green Team works 3 different levels Planet Protectors – Takes the GT Pledge – gets class certificate and in the drawing for some small prizes. Conservation Coyotes – Pledge plus one activity – certificate, drawing for more prizes Environmental Eagles – Pledge, one activity from Conservation Coyotes, one from Environmental Eagles – certificate, drawing for all the prizes and into the drawing for recycling magic show, schoolwide recycling performance or participatory environmental concert. How to participate: Climate Change, Recycling, Clean Air sections Sticker on poster Teacher Response forms by March 31 st .
Everything from creating signs and posters for recycling programs to building solar model cars.
“ Other” option for activities. Terracycle Programs, etc. Use the GT Website. There are many resources to take advantage of. Free Equipment and Materials.
Pledge cards to be copied. ***Show Other Section of Kit. Kit also includes sections on the three topics. Climate Change, Recycling and Clean Air. Objectives Background information Activities Worksheets Glossaries Additional Resources **This kit does all the work for you. Kit also includes a copy of the Teacher Response Form for the end of the year and a Press Release Template to get your class some well deserved attention.
Also on the website, there is access to the library and Curricula and Activities. ***To get free equipment – point to green button
Free Equipment Equipment can be costly Equipment can help the program with looks and sense of identity. Feels like a recycling program and people know where to put their recycling. Must be a GT Member P/U at 2 locations To start a program or to expand one.
Idle Reduction Materials. To support efforts in MA schools Free Signs to post in driveway or parking lot. Pledge Cards Material to help support effort
Database lists teachers and schools who don’t mind being contacted to discuss their Green Team. You can look into your town or neighboring communities for help/collaboration. Recycling Facts to help students quantify 1 aluminum can can power a TV for 3 hours. 1 ton of paper = 17 trees Newsletters Links Questions answered – referrals Styrofoam trays Help setting up programs