Educating people of all ages and from all walks of life about sustainability is one of the most important things we can do to ensure healthy communities, economies, and ecosystems. Below you will find information on our sustainability education offerings:
Choose to Change Workshop. Funded by a Public Participation Grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology, the Choose to Change Program includes a workshop designed for Middle- and High School students in the Greater Seattle Area, as well as funding opportunities for class projects that encourage smart consumption, waste reduction and sustainability. In 2009, we are continuing our Choose to Change workshops in middle and high schools with funding from EPA Region 10. In 2008, we introduced an active-response technology to the workshop which make the sessions more interactive and allows us to assess learning.
Presented in a 1 or 2 day, hour long format, the Choose to Change workshop employs concepts from the Washington Department of Ecology "A-Way With Waste" program along with Sustainable Seattle's "Putting Sustainability Into Action" curriculum. On Day 1 students learn about the environmental, economic and social consequences of their consumer decisions, especially regarding natural resources and waste. If teachers elect to participate in Day 2, students work together to develop a plan for a class project that promotes waste reduction and natural resource conservation.
Upon completion of the Day 2 workshop, teachers and students may apply for funding to finance or partially finance one or more of their class project(s). Each Post-Workshop Project is eligible to receive up to $400 and 6 hours of project assistance from a Sustainable Seattle staff member! Alternative sustainability project ideas may also be considered for funding.
This program is offered to schools and community groups free of charge.
Sustainable Design Lab. Our newest workshop for middle and high school students is called Sustainable Design Lab. This workshop, which is focused on art/design and business students, features how the many and diverse design industries are incorporating sustainability and how sustainable design can help address some of our biggest sustainability challenges such as poverty, affordable healthcare, and global warming.
This program is not currently sponsored so a fee of $50 is requested to cover the time and costs of the workshop.
For more information, call Paul at 206-838-5082 or email paul(at)sustainableseattle(dot)org
