A global network
Project Earth is a global, environmental network where members showcase projects and teach and learn from each other. A school, a class, school club or school project can register to join at www.projectearth.net. Tools are provided to get groups started on ecology-minded projects, to help educate and raise awareness about the environment and share ideas. Groups can participate in environmental contests, too. Some recent projects include a rooftop garden; a garden to grow vegetables for a food pantry; urging school-wide use of thermoses instead of water bottles; and creating a school-wide recycling program.
Green lunch bags
E-how, on online how-to guide, offers a series of articles on green projects for schools. In one, students can design their own re-usable cotton lunch bags. The lesson can be tied into literature, art, science, history, math or a combination of integrated subjects. It can also be a multi-grade project letting older students contribute advanced skills for the younger students. Visit www.ehow.com/how_4919334_do-green-projects-schools.html for more information.
Lesson plans and green tips
Educators can explore the award-winning Educators' Network that boasts more than 300 standards-based lessons, school greening tips, grants for teachers and more. To join the free Educators' Network and receive updates and information, visit www.earthday.org/education. Lesson plans include "no idling" campaigns, parents as partners, student activist toolkits, guides for greening your school, grants and news. Schools can also register their "Acts of Green."
School garden tips
Growing a school garden? A Billion Acts of Green offers the following tips to protect students, the environment and the food being grown: Basil will deter flies and mosquitoes. Feverfew attracts aphids away from roses. Garlic, coriander and nasturtiums deter aphids as well. Tomato worms don’t like borage or pot marigolds.
By choosing the right companion herbs in your garden of flowers or vegetables, you can avoid the bad effects of spraying pesticides. For more, visit http://act.earthday.org.