SPONSORED BY NATRACARE
“In learning you will teach, and in teaching you will learn.” – Phil Collins, Musician
Schools are where we live, learn and develop the intellectual foundation for the rest of our lives. At Turning Green, we believe school campuses are the greatest incubators for sustainable change. You are in one place for multiple years with passionate peers, dedicated faculty and outstanding resources at your fingertips. The internet and digital communication provide a platform for one brilliant idea to reach the masses, leveraging and empowering student and populations worldwide.
Consider the sheer number of people on campuses across the globe. The student body at some universities is larger than a city! Imagine sparking change on a massive scale with friends, families, classmates, digital networks and greater spheres of influence. Step by step, we can build the capacity necessary for real, lasting impact.
Student-led movements are powerful catalysts for societal change. From the movement to ban glyphosate on campuses, to March for Our Lives, to school strikes for climate, youth are rising up locally and globally in support of a safe, healthy planet.
While students are definite changemakers, schools make many of the choices that impact your health, community and planet. Which foods are served in the dining hall? What dangerous chemicals are you exposed to in cleaning products, weed killers, even hand soap in bathrooms? Will coal plants or renewables provide energy for campus? Critical decisions are too often made based on profit, not wellbeing of people and planet.
At the same time, campuses are a unique place for youto explore activism and advocacy for systems change. With access to decision makers and direct influence, students and faculty are among the strongest factors shifting policy at high schools and colleges. Know that you can be a catalyst for change at your school!
Before even beginning to assess your school, dream big! What would your perfect school look like?
Watch today’s video, INDONESIA: Green School, Dream School, to learn about a low-carbon-footprint school that raises green leaders in the middle of a jungle. How cool?!
It’s time for a five-minute brainstorm! Set a timer to write and/or draw what your dream school would look like. Get creative! Share what you came up with in just a few minutes.
Post your image on social media with a caption. Tag @TurningGreenOrg, tag your school and use #PGC2019.
Upload a PDF with your responses. Include a screenshot of your social media post. Include your name (or team name), username, email address, and school.
Submission Guidelines
It’s time to reverse the roles. Give your school a report card!
Look back at the PGC challenges from days 1-18 and consider these themes in the context of your campus. How is your school performing? In what areas is it excelling? Where is there room for improvement?
Pick five PGC themes and give your school a grade. Be sure to include comments and recommendations.
Upload a PDF with your responses. Include your name (or team name), username, email address, and school.
Submission Guidelines
Let’s get down to business. If we are taking on something as massive as the role of campuses in global climate action, we have to do honest assessments and be willing to talk about how we have failed — and turn those into opportunities for solutions.
Identify your school’s lowest scoring grade from your Greener challenge and dive deeper. Take time to research and learn about what your school is actively doing on that topic, if anything. Consider interviewing students, relevant staff or faculty who may be involved or impacted by current practices.
Identify the department or leaders in charge of the topic. Engage them to advocate for progress. Send an email offering your perspective on the given topic and offer support for the process. Your email should exemplify constructive, collaborative change.
Bonus points if you get a reply or set up a meeting to discuss further! Email info@turninggreen.org by 10/25 with further screenshots, recaps and photos.
Upload a PDF with your responses. Include a screenshot of your email. Include your name (or team name), username, email address, and school.
Submission Guidelines
Extra Credit due on October 26 @ 6am PT.
Up to 50 bonus points awarded for outstanding work.
Here is your chance to interact face-to-face with students on campus and inspire some change!
Create a presentation based on the information you gathered in the Greener and Greenest challenges. Present your report card ratings and suggestions for improvement before a group of peers.
Share your presentation, a summary of the conversation, and a reflection on your experience. Document your lecture with picture and video.
Upload a PDF Document with your responses. Include your name (or team name), username, email address, and school.
Submission Guidelines
Up to 10 Greener and 10 Greenest of the most outstanding submissions will be chosen as winners and awarded prize points to redeem in the PGC Prize Store. Greener wins = 75 prize points, Greenest wins = 100 prize points. Check the Winners page to see if you’re selected!
5 submissions will be randomly selected to receive:
Girls:
Natracare Tampons
Natracare Ultra Pads
Natracare Panty Liners
Natracare Makeup Removal Wipes
Natracare Reusable Bag
Boys:
Nutiva Hemp Protein
Dr. Bronner’s Shaving Soap
Everyone:
Chronicle Books Bright Ideas Journal
Onyx & Green Pencils (3)
Each time you submit a challenge, you get an entry. Complete Green, Greener, and Greenest to triple your chances!
Extended deadlines and extra credits do not apply.
