August 16th, 2022 – Miami, FL –
South Florida schools are starting this school year with a greener mindset –
Dream in Green is a South Florida-based non-profit whose mission is to empower individuals, especially youth, to lead in the response to climate change and other environmental challenges.
Dream in Green is proud to launch the Green Schools Challenge for the 2022- 2023 academic year which will bring together thousands of students in South Florida to tackle climate change and other environmental challenges. Teachers are invited to join the Challenge and participate in a training this week.
The Green Schools Challenge is currently in its sixteenth year serving K-12 students, teachers, and staff members in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, providing teachers and students with new lessons, and partnerships in order to learn more about the environmental challenges we are facing today.
Last year over 11,000 students and 600 teachers from 112 schools participated in the Green Schools Challenge and participants overwhelmingly reported that by the end of the school year students became more aware of the environmental issues and felt increased environmental responsibility. 90% of the students also reported increased and strengthened critical thinking competencies through participation in the program.
“The program provides enrichment activities that give opportunities for real-world experiences that go beyond the classroom and are relevant to the student’s lives.” Barbara Martinez-Guerrero, Executive Director
New partnerships will also provide additional opportunities to conduct citizen/community science data collection that informs local and national scientists. Students will also learn about the future of sustainable cities and transportation needs for greener communities. Other activities include building solar ovens, participating in debates about single-use plastics, and learning about Biscayne Bay and its unique ecosystem.
“My students enjoy participating in the Dream in Green Challenges each school year. The challenges are engaging, and fun and make a lasting impact on the students who participate. I enjoy how the challenges are relevant to our curriculum and also our daily life in South Florida, so when we bring up certain topics in class, the children will often refer back and make the connections to our challenges.” Patricia Serrott, Pinecrest Elementary School
Registration for the Green School Challenge 2022-2023 is open, visit Dream in Green’s website. Upcoming events for teachers include participating in a professional development training on Saturday, Aug 20th. MDCPS teachers can register through My Learning Plan or through this link.
For more information, please contact:
Barbara Martinez-Guerrero, ba*****@dr**********.org, 786-574-4909
You can find photos about the last years Green School Challenge to use when publishing the story here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dreamingreen_gsc/albums
DIG was founded in 2006 to address the unique environmental challenges that threaten the future viability of South Florida. The organization’s founders shared a passion for environmental sustainability and recognized that by harnessing the imagination, creativity, and enthusiasm of young minds, schools could serve as fertile ground to shape a community committed to environmental stewardship. For more information, visit www.dreamingreen.org, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
