AUBURN — KIDS Consortium announces the availability of funds for “green” service-learning projects at K-12 schools, such as energy efficiency or recycling. Students involved in the projects will also have an opportunity to participate in a 2010 Green Schools Student Summit, sharing their projects with students from around the region.

Funding for this initiative is provided by grants from the State Farm Youth Advisory Board, the Horizon Foundation and the Sam L. Cohen Foundation.

Based in Auburn, KIDS Consortium — Kids Involved Doing Service-Learning — helps transform classrooms and communities through an award-winning educational model that has touched more than a quarter-million students across New England and New York. The mission of KIDS Consortium is to prepare young people to be active and responsible citizens by training and supporting educators, community organizations and youth in best practices for service-learning. Through service-learning, K-12 students identify, research and address real community challenges, using knowledge and skills learned in the classroom.

Proposals for up to $750 grant awards are being accepted through Aug. 31. Applicants can include K-12 educators, students and community organizations working with youth to plan and implement a “green school” service-learning project throughout New England.

Projects funded by this initiative must solve a problem or address a local need related to making schools and neighborhoods healthier and more environmentally sustainable. That includes reducing nonrenewable energy consumption within schools and other community buildings; using fewer consumable products to both save energy and costs; promoting outdoor green spaces and trails; using more locally grown food to reduce transportation costs and energy consumption and improve nutrition; and improving air quality in and near schools.

Training workshops for educators on service-learning and green schools will be held throughout the region in September and October. Additional information about green schools, professional development for educators and an online grant application form may be found at www.kidsconsortium.org.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.