GreenSchools Investigations

Adult Leader Guide

Learn about the benefits of becoming a GreenSchool and how to form a Green Team and obtain equipment. Get suggestions for how students might conduct the investigations and why, tips for collecting data, as wells as ideas for funding for action projects.

Engage students in STEM as they investigate their school site, energy use, water, waste and recycling practices:

Energy Investigation

Investigate how much energy your school uses, the main sources of that energy, and ways to implement energy-saving strategies.

Environmental Quality Investigation

Investigate areas where improvements can be made in indoor air quality, transportation, chemical use, and more.

School Site Investigation

Investigate natural habitats, wildlife, trees, grounds maintenance practices, and ways to make improvements to your school site.

Waste & Recycling Investigation

Investigate how much waste your school generates and where it goes, as well as recycling and composting efforts.

Water Investigation

Investigate the source, cost, and quality of your school’s water supply, and ways to enhance current water conservation practices.

Get the Materials

Download each individual investigation from our store or purchase a print copy of the complete set that includes the Adult Leader Guide.

PLT also offers online training to help you start a GreenSchools program at your school and engage your students.

Testimonials

“When I started looking into the PLT GreenSchools curriculum, I liked it because it was very hands-on, and the kids were all on the same level as their teachers and the school administrators. Because of that, we knew that our kids would buy into the program, notice the changes they were able to make, and be proud of what they’d accomplished. PLT’s GreenSchools makes an impact because the kids have ownership of it. They leave here, and they’re still remembering and using what they’ve learned even after they graduate.” – Richard Klein, Environmental Education Director, The Monarch School, Houston, TX

 “PLT’s GreenSchools program has made a remarkable difference in our impact on our environment and learning about how we can become better citizens through our stewardship of natural resources.” – Zayra Sota, 8th Grade Student, Scuola Vita Nuova Charter School, Kansas City, MO

“The GreenSchools program helps us meet our educational mission in a variety of ways. The STEM concepts work to build our students’ academic success while the environmental service-learning component works toward the master of trades and technology. By further connecting the skills and science concepts to careers, this program is responsive to industries’ emerging and changing global work force needs and expectations.” – Dr. Nivea L. Torres, Superintendent of Schools, Connecticut Technical High School System, Hartford, CT

PLT’s supplementary curriculum materials can be used to connect the learning that occurs through the GreenSchools Investigations to your curriculum goals. You can find a list of all supporting PLT lessons on page 12 of this Adult Leader Guide.

PLT activities address state and national academic standards. In many states, PLT activities are correlated with state science, social studies, language arts, mathematics, and environmental education standards and assessments. They are also aligned with several national guidelines. In addition, the GreenSchools Investigations support many Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Please see our correlations to academic standards page to learn more.

Login to download supporting materials such as appendices and teaching tips.