GreenSparks

To help meet the educational needs of students in Title I schools, we at UCLA’s Institute of the Environment and Sustainability (IoES) designed the GreenSparks program which provides engaging Next Generation Science Standard (NGSS) environmental lesson plans and high-production quality videos to schools in need.  Our mission is to introduce exciting and pertinent environment and sustainability concepts to students, topics likely not prioritized in Title I schools, while simultaneously supplementing teachers’ curricula.

We are able to field test lesson ideas with local, underserved Title I Los Angeles high schools thanks to a charitable contribution from Boeing. With their support, we are able to generate teaching modules and accompanying videos that address a wide range of environmental themes, including climate change, clean meat, water consumption, habitat restoration, environmental justice, and more.

After guest teaching and field-testing at local schools, we will distribute free lesson plans and accompanying videos through our partner educational organizations nationwide and host the modules on our website for anybody’s benefit. Teachers, get ready!

The GreenShorts film festival was an exciting component of the GreenSparks program in which students were encouraged to exercise their creative muscles and make short films reflecting their environmental interests.

The GreenSparks initiative raises awareness and creates hope for a more green future by enthralling today’s kids about the wonders of the environment.