GS Awards - eeasc dev

Green Steps Awards

Celebrating Your Achievements

Recognizing student and teacher efforts through awards not only celebrates their achievements but also reinforces the value of environmental education in action. When students see their work honored at the state level, it validates the time, creativity, and care they’ve put into making their school and community greener. For teachers, these awards highlight their leadership as environmental educators—mentors who inspire curiosity, responsibility, and stewardship in their students. Recognition can also boost school morale and motivate others within the school community to participate in sustainability efforts.

Awards can also open doors for future opportunities. Schools and educators who receive Green Step recognition often find that it strengthens their applications for environmental grants, partnerships, and professional development programs. Having a documented record of successful, award-winning projects demonstrates credibility and accountability to funders and collaborators. For students, being part of an award-winning project can enhance college applications or career pathways in environmental science, conservation, and education. In this way, Green Step awards not only honor present accomplishments but also create a foundation for continued growth, innovation, and leadership in environmental stewardship.

Awards

South Carolina Green Step School Award: Recognizes schools with model-quality projects that help Conserve, Protect, or Restore their environment. Schools work with certified mentors and document students learning, doing, and teaching others. Each school and mentor receives a recycled motherboard frame with revisable certificates each year.

South Carolina Certified Green Step School Award: Given to schools that sustain at least two Green Step Schools Awards in each category—Conserve, Protect, and Restore. This certification honors long-term commitment to environmental stewardship across the school community.

South Carolina Green Step Schools Superlative Awards: Each year, mentors nominate schools for Superlative Awards, recognizing outstanding projects in each category: Conserve, Protect, and Restore.

School of the Year: Honors one school that demonstrates exceptional dedication across all Green Step categories—Conserve, Protect, and Restore. This award recognizes schools whose projects show outstanding impact, creativity, and student leadership.

Mentor of the Year: Celebrates a Green Step mentor who goes above and beyond to guide, support, and inspire schools. This award recognizes exceptional mentorship that fosters environmental learning and empowers students to take meaningful action.