Teachers Network

Care for Our Earth was developed through a partnership with the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District, the Southern California Gas Company, and The Teachers Network, to encourage 4th - 12th grade teachers to conduct environmental service projects with their students. 4th to 12th grade teachers: pick one of the two areas of focus (below) for your project and apply for a $200 Award!

* Save Energy - How can we reduce energy use at schools?
Brainstorm ways to reduce energy in your classroom or at your school site and implement solutions.

Examples:
Lower Grade levels: Chart in classroom where students can record when/where they find lights on that don’t need to be left on, or identify other energy-wasting equipment.

Upper Grade levels: Examine school energy bills, set a target for reductions, make recommendations, present to principal.

* Cut Traffic and Pollution - What can we do to cut the traffic in and out of school parking lots?
Brainstorm ways to encourage fewer single-family car trips and more walking, biking, bus-riding, and multi-family carpooling trips to school; implement solutions.

Examples:
Lower grade levels: Draw map of school and neighborhoods and place pins on the map for development of “walking school buses” and other options.

Upper grade levels: Do a school-wide transportation survey to identify areas of greatest potential, make recommendations to parent groups and school administrators.

** Grants funds may be used for: field trips, speakers, science supplies, energy-conserving equipment (plug strips, compact fluorescent bulbs), devices (Kill-A-Watt equipment that measures energy use of appliances), etc. Resources for partnering: electric and natural gas utilities, organizations devoted to conserving energy and improving options for school transportation.

Need help coming up with a Care for Our Earth idea? Call (805) 964-4711 (Petti Pfau ext. 5281) or visit this page: http://www.OurAir.org/teachers.htm
For more information on what the Southern California Gas Co. is doing for the environment, visit: http://www.socalgas.com/environment/

APPLY ONLINE:

1. Click here to download the Care for Our Earth Grant application. * (Grant Application for Santa Barbara County teachers only)

2. If you need assistance with the form, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help you with the application.

Care for Our Earth Grant recipients will be honored at the Grant Recognition Dinner in February.

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