Schools
- Find Curriculum Resources
- Create Healthy School Environments
- Raise Money & Compete for Prizes
- Implement a School Recycling Program
- Special Events
- Compost
School Recycling Challenge
The Montana Department of Environmental Quality is encouraging schools from all across the state to sign up for this year's Great American Can Round Up School Recycling Challenge sponsored by the Can Manufacturers Institute.
What can aluminum recycling do for your school? The kids in Cascade MT will tell you it can mean extra money for school activities. Recently the school was recognized for collecting the most aluminum cans per capita among Montana Schools in the first annual School Recycling Challenge. The school placed 3rd nationally by collecting 13.06 pounds of cans and won $1,000 to help fund school activities.
The School Recycling Challenge runs between America Recycles Day (November 15, 2011) and Earth Day (April 22, 2012). For all the information and to register go to: www.cancentral.com/RoundUp.
Schools that take up the challenge will receive a 5 cent per pound premium from Pacific Steel & Recycling and Allied Waste Services.
Want to participate in the School Recycling Challenge but lack the staff or expertise to develop and manage a recycling program in your school? Consider hosting an Energy Intern at your school Creating and coordinating recycling infrastructure is just the sort of project our interns are looking for. The Governor’s Energy Intern Program provides $2,000 education awards for undergraduate students who complete a 200 hour energy-related internship. Apply to host an intern online at energyintern.com and we will help you find an ideal candidate living in your area. For more information contact the Governor’s Office of Community Service, 444-1745.
Many resources exist for teachers wishing to discuss and encourage recycling. Headwaters Recycling Cooperative supports the Woodsy-the-Owl recycling education program that sends a speaker into classrooms to interact directly with children and encourage recycling. In addition to these programs, educators and school administrators will find the following resources helpful: Manual for Implementing a School Recycling Program
Clean Air Zone Montana
This program discourages school bus idling to reduce diesel exhaust exposure for children. The program also encourages use of alternative fuels in school buses. Sign up your school now to receive assistance!
Elmer’s Glue Crew Recycling Program for Schools
Elmer’s is the first glue manufacturer to offer a recycling program for the bottles and glue sticks they produce. In addition to cash prizes and convenient drop-off at your local Wal-Mart, this program offers great lesson plans and suggestions for recruiting students, teachers and parents to help out. Learn more about the program and how to sign up your local schools here: www.elmersgluecrew.com.
EPA Featured Recycling Resources for Schools
Lists of recycling tools and information on other pollution prevention resources.
Recycling Starts with You!
Lesson plans for grades 3 – 6 that also build language arts and math skills.
Healthy School Environments Assessment Tool (HealthySEAT)
HealthySEAT is a software tool from EPA designed to help school districts conduct voluntary, customized self-assessments of their school facilities for environmental, health, and safety hazards. Source: EPA - Office of Air and Radiation - Indoor Environments Division.
Cornell University Composting in Schools
Provides a number of composting resources for teachers, including ideas for student research projects.
American Forest and Paper Association
Shares information, including environmental policies and recycling initiatives, about forest products such as paper and wood.
Earth 911
Lots of resources for teachers and students, plus information on local recycling opportunities.
Kids Domain
Lots of links with information on Earth Day, recycling, pollution prevention, environmental learning games, activities, and more.
Earth Day Network
Covers Sustainability, Environmental footprints, garbage, waste reduction and more. Also has a GREAT Educators Network.
America Recycles Day
Teachers and students can enter a contest to win a cruise and/or a new bike by pledging to recycle more in the coming year. Enter by visiting this website or DEQ's webpage to pledge and enter the contest.
EPA's guide to P2 week
Tips to help you get started with pollution prevention right now.
EPA Teaching Resources
EPA has put together a collection of websites and documents that you can use to explain environmental topics. These resources offer basic and clear information to assist you in teaching your students about the environment.
NIEHS Environmental Health and Science Education
The Environmental Health Science Education website provides educators, students and scientists with easy access to reliable tools, resources and classroom materials. It seeks to invest in the future of environmental health science by increasing awareness of the link between the environment and human health.
NIEHS Teacher’s Curriculum Resources
Science-based curriculum resources that help teach the connection between a healthy environment and healthy bodies.
Use Less Stuff: Middle School Source Reduction Curriculum
Designed for middle school students and the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA). www.use-less-stuff.com
