Texas School Integrates Green Education Foundation's (GEF) Green Building Unit in Core Science Curriculum
Xcel Energy Foundation Supports Sustainability Education in Texas with Grant to GEF.
- (1888PressRelease) February 01, 2013 - Tascosa High School in Amarillo, Texas recently took advantage of free classroom based sustainability curriculum thanks to an Xcel Energy Foundation grant to GEF. Through this grant, GEF was able to offer its robust blended learning curriculum, which introduces students to leading edge green building topics, at no cost to select schools in Texas and Colorado. At Tascosa High, the curriculum was used for career and technology students seeking education and training that could lead to opportunities in the new green economy.
The high school teacher who utilized the curriculum, Alisha Lugo, commented on her experiences with GEF's blended learning platform and the subject matter: "My students really enjoyed the interactivity and hands-on lessons. They also appreciated the online platform and the fact that the subject matter has real-world applications and a career connection. As a teacher, I appreciated the ready-to-use materials and the fact that it provided a fresh approach to teaching science concepts." The curriculum was integrated into what was already being taught in Tascosa's Energy and Natural Resources science class, part of the school's career and technology department.
"Xcel Energy is pleased to support GEF in offering education that contributes to the overall health of the community," stated Terry Price, the Senior Foundation Representative at Xcel Energy in Texas. "The green building curriculum is a great opportunity for students to be introduced to topics that can lead to innovative thinking and careers in emerging green markets."
GEF's green building curriculum is available through GEF Institute, a division established to offer professional level online courses and certificates to high school students and educators. The green building curriculum is designed as a blended learning experience in which teachers can access and download all necessary materials, including presentation slides, digital textbook, manual and pacing guide, through the Institute's online learning management system. Using the online portal, teachers can assign homework, track progress and submit grades. Students can also login to the online system to access their own materials such as online quizzes, videos, readings, discussion forums and glossaries.
There are currently six, 30-hour units available including Introduction to Green Building, Energy and the Built Environment, Water and the Built Environment, Indoor Environmental Quality, Materials and Resources, Sustainable Sites and Land Use, Building Science, and the Present and Future of Green Building. For more information about the green building curriculum visit www.gefinstitute.org/overview-classroom or email support ( @ ) gefinstitute dot org dot
About Green Education Foundation (GEF)
Green Education Foundation (GEF) is a non-profit organization committed to creating a sustainable future through education. Sustainability education provides educators with the real-world applied learning models that connect science, technology, and math education with the broader human concerns of environmental, economic, and social systems. GEF provides curriculum and resources to K-12 students and teachers worldwide with the goal of challenging them to think holistically and critically about global environmental concerns and solutions.
Become a member for free to gain full access to GEF's comprehensive library of standards-based lessons and activities at www.greeneducationfoundation.org. Join the sustainability education conversation by following GEF on Twitter ( @ ) greenedufdn and on Facebook at www dot facebook dot com/greenedufoundation dot
About GEF Institute
GEF Institute, a division of Green Education Foundation (GEF), was established to meet the increasing market demand for sustainability focused education and training. The Institute builds on GEF's expertise in K-12 sustainability education and STEM concepts by offering affordable online courses in sustainability to educators, students at the high school and undergraduate level, employees and professionals. In addition to individual online courses, the Institute's robust certificate program distinguishes those with a proven comprehensive understanding of important sustainability topics. The Institute's courses are eligible for professional development or academic credit. www.gefinstitute.org
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