eeasc-logo-linear-reverse
donate

Green Steps Schools

How to become a Green Steps School

Why teachers Love Green Steps

  • Open to everyone: All PreK-12 South Carolina classroom educators are eligible to participate in the program.
  • Hands-on learning that fits the curriculum: Students lead real-world environmental projects that support academic standards in science and STEM.
  • Simple and supported: Free training, resources, and mentors help you guide your students every step of the way.
  • Recognized impact: Earn statewide recognition while making lasting improvements to your school and community.
  • Empowers students: Builds leadership, teamwork, and environmental responsibility in a fun, meaningful way.
Fireman holding up pictures of prescribed forest burns.

Follow these steps to give your school a boost towards a greener future:

  • Team Up: At the beginning of the school year, form a Green Team with school faculty, administration, staff, and/or students who are excited about sustainability initiatives.
  • Find Your Mentor: Request a mentor for each project—or suggest someone you already know who can help lead the way.
  • Get Trained: Watch our short Training Video to learn the basics and set your team up for success.
  • Meet/Project Planning: Host a fall meeting with your mentor. Using our project wheel, find a project that best suits the needs and interests of your students. You can also be creative and come up with your own! Your mentor can also help with this.
  • Take Action: Work with your students to complete and document your environmental projects.
  • Review Together: Schedule a follow-up meeting with your mentor to review and critique your progress.
  • Submit and Celebrate: Remind your mentor to submit the final Evaluation Form.
  • Get Recognized: Celebrate your achievements at a state workshop or regional kickoff event (check the calendar for upcoming events). Bonus: Earn two project awards and you’ll receive a special Forever Frame to display your Green Steps pride!
Training Video
Find a Mentor
Pick a Project
A group of students on a field trip, holding binoculars and a species identification sheet.

Timeline

  • Summer/Fall: Do your research, connect with a mentor, choose a project, and get started!
  • January 31: Collaborate with mentor to complete top portion and first four columns of the Green Step Evaluation Form; mentors submit form.
  • April 25: Invite your mentor and present your project success before April 25 for their final critiques.
  • May 1: Mentors submit final and completed Green Step Evaluation Form. All due dates are firm to ensure the success of your project.

2024 Green Step Schools

Certified

Aiken Elementary
Brockman Elementary
Conder Elementary
Dutch Fork Elementary
East Point Academy
Irmo Middle
Leaphart Elementary
Ocean Bay Middle
Pleasant Hill Elementary
Taylors Elementary
Walhalla High

Working Towards Certification

AC Moore Elementary
Beechwood Middle
Blythewood Middle
Brookdale Elementary
Chapin Elementary
Cola City Homeschoolers
Columbia Montessori
Cutler Jewish Day School
Harmony School
HERO Home School
Mayo High
Mid-Carolina High
New Ellenton Middle
Piney Woods Elementary
Richland 2 Institute of Innovation
River Ridge Academy
Sandy Run K-8
Saxe Gotha Elementary
St. John Catholic School
St. Joseph Catholic School
St. Matthews K-8 School

Working Towards First Award

Burnside Elementary
Diamond Hill Elementary
Green Charter School of the Midlands
Hopkins Elementary
JP Thomas Elementary
Lonnie B. Nelson Elementary
Newberry High
Uhuru Farms School
Watkins Nance Elementary
Whale Branch Middle