The Green Prize in Public Education

Across the United States, schools are taking on the challenge of becoming green in a variety of ways – from incorporating environmental content in curricula to using sustainable materials in construction.

This prize recognizes an innovative, sustainable and replicable greening initiative in a public school and the educators and other school community members instrumental to the greening initiatives. A green school should involve and benefit students, educators, maintenance staff, parents and the local community. Ultimately, a green school increases students’ environmental literacy, and empowers and inspires them to be more socially and environmentally responsible.

The Green Prize in Public Education 2010 Recipient

The NEA Foundation awarded Mike Town, a high school environmental science teacher at Redmond High School in Redmond, Washington the inaugural Green Prize in Public Education.  Town was selected to receive this honor for his Cool School Challenge program and curriculum that has helped students, teachers, and school districts reduce more than 1.5 million pounds of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions in over 150 schools. Watch the following video to learn more about Mike and his outstanding project.