DPSCD Go Green Challenge
Now in its 9th year of growing green leaders in Detroit Public Schools Community District!
The DPSCD Go Green Challenge (GGC) is a youth-driven sustainability competition among district schools that engages students in STEM projects designed to make their homes, schools, and communities more sustainable – for everyone. The program is free and open to any DPSCD school, grades K-12.
Sign your school up for the 2019-2020 Go Green Challenge here!
History
The GGC was launched in Fall 2012 as a voluntary opportunity for schools to reduce their energy costs and share in the savings. Last year 47 schools participated in one of the three tiers of the Go Green Challenge. Teams received over $10,000 in grants and district-sponsored funds to support student-led sustainability projects. Over the past 8 years the program has saved over $1,700,000 and awarded $118,000 back to schools. Recognizing that going green is more than just energy conservation, this year the DPSCD Go Green Challenge continues to include projects on water conservation, recycling, and gardening. As a result, the program has provided a platform for teachers to engage their students in STEM projects that empower students and unlock their leadership potential!
Components
This year, the DPSCD Go Green Challenge will offer three different levels of engagement ranging from a limited, 8-10 week engagement around one sustainability theme to full year (30 weeks, October-May) engagement around 4 sustainability themes or one sustainability challenge or opportunity in a school’s campus or community. This tiered system is intended to allow for increased participation among all DPSCD schools and to offer deeper learning and leadership experiences for Green Teams that have been participating in the program for several years. More detail can be found on each of the challenge tiers below.
Tier 1 Challenge
A team of AmeriCorps Green School Coordinators will visit your school weekly over a period of 8-10 weeks to facilitate one Challenge in any of the following areas: Recycling, Energy, Water and/or Gardens and Nutrition. The Challenge will include place based education around the theme of your choosing and can be tied in to support existing curriculum and pacing. Your school can choose to participate in as many challenges as program scheduling allows, but will not participate in competitions between schools.
Tier 2 Challenge
A team of AmeriCorps Green School Coordinators will visit your school weekly over the course of the school year (October-May) to facilitate all 4 Challenges: Recycling, Energy, Water and Gardens and Nutrition. Your Green Team will participate in place based education around each theme as well as develop projects to conserve resources in your school. Some leadership development and community engagement experiences will be made available to Tier 2 schools.
Tier 3 Challenge
A team of AmeriCorps Green School Coordinators will visit your school weekly over the course of the school year (October-May) to facilitate a year-long project. In this challenge, students take the lead in developing a community-based sustainability project. Over the course of their project, students will:
- Investigate the wide-ranging concepts of sustainability and social justice
- Learn about the inquiry and project development process
- Engage and empower their community
- Highlight their work among other students and community members
Contact Us
For more information on the DPSCD Go Green Challenge or to sign up to participate in the program, please email dps.gogreen@detroitk12.org.
Testimonials
My parents are talking about their kid’s obsession for separating recycling materials and saving energy by turning off lights. – DPS Teacher
Our students are more careful to recycle paper in halls and powering down electric items after usage. Staff have commented on how responsible and reliable the students are who participate in the program. – DPS Teacher
We want students to think before they throw something away – or even when buying something. We want them to make a habit of turning off lights and not leaving the water running. We want students to plant, nurture and harvest healthy foods. – DPS Teacher
Detroit Public Schools Go Green Challenge 