School Programs, Events, Competitions, and Professional Development

Mark your calendars with these grant opportunities, workshops, conferences and more!
 
 
December 13 – Application deadline for the USDA’s Farm to School Grant Program. Schools and school districts can apply for planning or implementation grants to start or expand a farm to school program.
 
December 13-14 – Join the Wade Institute for Science Education and Mass Audubon for a two-day workshop: Lighting the Way with Wind and Solar: Pathways to a Sustainable Energy Future. The workshop is designed to help middle and high school educators incorporate lessons about renewable energy technologies to help students understand how these technologies can be used to produce sustainable electricity and reduce human impacts on the climate.
 
December 16 – Application deadline for the 2020 Youth Garden Grant. Any nonprofit organization, public or private school, or youth program planning a new garden program or expanding an established one that serves at least 15 youths between the ages of 3 and 18 is eligible to apply. A total of 25 programs will be awarded a variety of gardening tools and supplies, as well as cash awards up to $1000. Awards will be distributed in February 2020.
 
 
 
December 18 – MA Farm to School Institute will be hosting a webinar from 3:00-4:00 pm on school-wide composting and curricular tie-ins, featuring speakers from RecyclingWorks in MA, Berkshire Zero-Waste Initiative, and Holly Hill Farm. By the end of the hour, participants will learn the basics of composting in school classroom environments, strategies for collaboration between the cafeteria and classrooms, and real-world models for composting in schools and through school gardens programs. 
 
December 31 – Register and complete your school’s Green Apple Day of Service project to be eligible for the 2020 Green Apple Awards. Green Apple Day of Service is an opportunity to join schools across the world in celebrating the central role they play in preparing the next generation of leaders in sustainability.
 
January 6 – Application Deadline for the EPA’s Environmental Education Grants. This program supports environmental education projects that promote environmental awareness and stewardship. This grant program provides financial support for projects that design, demonstrate, and/or disseminate environmental education practices, methods, or techniques.
 
January 15 – Application Deadline for the EPA’s 2020 President’s Environmental Youth Award (PEYA) program and the Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators (PIAEE). The PEYA program recognizes outstanding environmental stewardship projects by K-12 youth, promoting awareness of our nation’s natural resources and encouraging positive community involvement. The PIAEE recognizes outstanding kindergarten through grade 12 teachers who employ innovative approaches to environmental education and use the environment as a context for learning with their students.
 
January 29 – Register for a free informational webinar about THE GREEN TEAM program from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Learn more about how your school and classroom can benefit from THE GREEN TEAM resources, including free curricula, lesson plans & activities, composting & idling reduction equipment, and recognition & prizes for your students!