• Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council in 2007

• Inspired the creation of the national Green Schools initiative

• Is the nationally recognized benchmark for green schools

• Rating System recognizes the unique nature of the design and construction of K-12 schools

• Provides a unique, comprehensive tool for schools that wish to build green with measurable results

• Certification provides parents, teachers and the community with a “report card” for their school buildings – verifying that the school has been built to meet the highest level of performance

LEED for Schools…

On K-12 Construction

http://www.buildgreenschools.org/

http://www.usgbc.org/

http://www.usgbcnj.org/

USGBC-NJ Chapter Strategic Plan

Develop educational programs that will connect the Green building industry to

mainstream Environmental Education

http://greenschoolsnj.org/

In 2008 the USGBC-NJ Chapter established the Green Schools Committee - a unique combination of Green

Building Industry Professionals, Environmental Educators, and Government Agencies

LEED Rating System Categories

The ultimate hands on learning experience: The building becomes the teaching tool.

Green Schools Curriculum Framework based on the

LEED for Schools Checklist

• Sustainable Sites• Water Efficiency• Energy and Atmosphere• Materials and Resources• Indoor Environmental Quality• Innovation and Design Process

– Using the School as a Teaching Tool

Unit 1. Sustainable Sites:

• what is sustainability• how green buildings can impact the environment in a positive way • how to survey the local environment• conduct sustainability evaluations of their existing home and school• investigate and share low and no-cost solutions that will lessen their carbon footprint 

Unit 2. Water Efficiency:  

• how to reduce and reuse water  • track the use of water in buildings.• determine the quality of water locally• determine if unhealthy situations exist in rivers, streams and ponds and identify causes and solutions. 

Unit 3. Energy, and Atmosphere: 

• learn about current uses of energy production methods• global warming and climate change• how green buildings can significantly reduce the negative impact on greenhouse gas emissions • learn about energy audits, alternative energy sources and the politics that drive continued use of current methods

Unit 4. Materials and Resources:

• learn about waste management, regionally produced products, conservation and financial savings • learn about new materials that are being produced using recycled content• recycling programs• local and global resources, populations and various other factors that will impact how and where we live in the future

Unit 5. Indoor Environmental Quality:

• investigate the science, technology and the benefits from the increased quality of indoor air• lighting, acoustics and temperature control • students begin to assess and address these topics and develop an action plan to collect data, analyze and implement changes in their home, school and community 

Unit 6. Innovation and Design Process:

• students take on the role of LEED Accredited Professionals and other team members needed to design a green building

EIRC DEP

ANJEE LSC

Educators

Coming Soon…

2009 Green Schools Summer Workshop at EIRC

USGBC-NJ Chapter Call for nominations Student Award

EIRC’s Green Challengehttp://www.eirc.org/website/Programs-+and+-Services/National-Talent-Network/Programs/INTRODUCING-The-Green-Challenge.html

Green Schools 101 http://www.eirc.org/courses/

Grants to Fund Green Projects

John HenryEducational Information and Resource Center (EIRC)

USGBC-NJ Chapter Green School Advocatejhenry@eirc.org