Benefits of becoming a Maryland Green School

Origins

Founded in 1999, the Maryland Green Schools Program (MDGS) is a sustainable schools program. As MAEOE’s signature program, MDGS is nationally recognized as having significant impact with students and schools. The program provides educational opportunities for preK-12 schools that promote responsible environmental stewardship practices and increase awareness of how our relationship with the environment ultimately impacts public health and society.

Why should schools become MAEOE Green Schools?

• Recognition of the commitment your school and their communities have been making towards environmental sustainability
• Provides your school with an evaluation of the efforts being taken towards becoming more Green
• An extensive network of partners in your school’s community and statewide resources to collaborate with
• Nature experiences increase academic achievement
• Connects to state/federal standards:
  • Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math
  • Next Generation Science Standards
  • College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework
  • College Career Readiness
  • Environmental Literacy Standards
• Interaction with nature affects the social, emotional, cognitive and physical development of young minds
• Students become stewards of their environment and increase interest in green careers
• School distinction with recognition by county and state officials

Program Goals:

The Program’s goals are to enrich education by integrating hands-on, inquiry-based instruction, to empower youth to practically apply knowledge at school, home and in their communities that reduce ecological impact and encourage sustainable practices.

Green School objectives include: environmental issue instruction, professional development, school-wide environmental behavior changes, celebration of green practices, responsible transportation & reduced emissions, healthy living & learning environments, water conservation & pollution reduction, energy conservation, structures for environmental learning, habitat restoration, solid waste reduction, and community partnership.