The NEA Foundation created the inaugural Green Prize in Public Education to recognize and showcase an outstanding public school educator or program that best advances social and environmental responsibility.

This annual prize recognizes those public school educators or programs that empower and inspire students to be more socially and environmentally responsible and to become better environmental stewards, creating a sustainable environment for our communities, country and the world.

Selection Process

In the inaugural year, 9 leading national environmental and/or education organizations will partner with the NEA Foundation, with organization nominating up to 8 programs that are excellent national models, based on the application criteria.  Nominated programs will complete and submit application forms online. 

2010 Green Prize in Education Review Panel

• Will Allen, CEO, Growing Power, Milwaukee, WI
• Robert Corbin, VP for Learning Experiences, Discovery Place, Charlotte NC
• Laura Michalchyshyn, President and General Manger, Planet Green, New York, NY
• David Monsma, Executive Director, Aspen Institute Energy and Environment Program, Aspen CO.
• Tam O’Shaughnessy, COO and Executive Vice President, Sally Ride Science
• Simran Sethi, Associate Professor, University of Kansas, School of Journalism and Mass Communications, Lawrence, KS

Deadlines

• November 13, 2009 deadline for Partner Organizations to submit nominees.
• October 13-November 12, 2009: Nominated programs invited to participate by completing an online application
• January 13, 2010 midnight EST deadline for online applications to be submitted
• March 2010  Five finalists will be notified
• April 2010   Winner of the 2010 Green Prize in Education announced as part of Earth Day celebrations in April

Applicant Information

Lead Applicant:  The lead applicant will be the contact person for award notification, reporting, publicity, and other award-related activities.

Eligibility: Applicants may be a K-12 public school educator; a K-12 public school; or a K-12 public school district.  All programs must be public school programs in the U.S. that took place during the 2007-2008; 2008-2009; or fall 2009 school years.

Fiscal Agent Note: The Green Prize in Education carries with it a financial award of $25,000 if the program is submitted by a public school educator and $50,000 if the winning program is submitted by a public school or school district.  If the winning program is one submitted by a public school educator, the cash award will be made payable to the lead applicant and reported to the Internal Revenue Service as income.

Applications missing lead applicant data will not be considered.  Applications must be submitted by midnight EST January 13, 2010.

Selection Criteria

1. The winning program should empower and inspire students to be more socially and environmentally responsible and to become better environmental stewards, creating a sustainable environment for community, country and world.

1. The winning program should demonstrate the methodology reflected in the NEA Foundation goals:

a)     Promote student inquiry-based and exploratory learning opportunities

b)     Strengthen learning that relates to educational standards and 21^st Century Learning skills

c)      Encourage collaborations that strengthen individual partners

d)     Represent innovative, sustainable and replicable best practices

1. The winning program _should demonstrate an impact on students, teachers, schools and the community.

Financial Award

If an individual educator/teacher is selected, s/he will receive $25,000; if a school or district is selected, the award will be $50,000.  The winner will be celebrated at an awards ceremony in April, 2010.

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