Greening STEM Hub
Taking STEM outside
NEEF’s Greening STEM approach extends beyond traditional classroom settings, engaging youth in outdoor environments in their local communities. Greening STEM fosters partnerships between formal and non-formal educators, empowering them to collaborate in designing, developing, and delivering standards-based STEM learning activities. Use the links on this page to learn more about the Greening STEM approach, including who participates in a Greening STEM project, along with information and resources to help you get started.
Who Participates in Greening Stem?
Educators
Using placed-based learning, formal and non-formal educators can make STEM learning more relevant and engaging for youth simply by stepping outdoors.
Spaces
The outdoors is the perfect setting for experiential education that connects youth to their local environment while instilling values of conservation and stewardship.
Partners
Support STEM learning in your community and advance your environmental education mission by working with local organizations and public lands sites in your community.
Funders
Fulfill your organization's sustainability goals by supporting life-changing, hands-on environmental education and citizen science projects.
What is a greening STEM project?
Greening STEM is a collaboration between NEEF, community partners, and public spaces to create an immersive outdoor learning experience that enriches STEM learning and creates a sense of place for youth.
Placed-based learning helps connect students to their local environment and brings STEM learning to life, creating the next generation of environmental stewards.
Greening STEM uses the local environment as a learning lab where hands-on science helps bring lessons to life and introduces students to a variety of career paths.
Looking for some ideas to get started? This curated collection of examples includes curriculum, lessons, and activities reviewed by Achieve, Inc. and the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA).
Ready to implement Greening stem?
The Greening STEM approach is an adaptable framework for creating a series of integrated and holistic learning activities. It is broad enough to accommodate the various educational standards and competencies, yet adaptable enough to complement local learning goals and objectives.
Educators and learners who adopt the Greening STEM approach are likely to apply it to other real-world scenarios, and often become champions for organizational or systemic change within their communities.
Ready to take the next step in implementing the Greening STEM approach at your school or non-profit? Check out our list of available Greening STEM grants, register to receive the implementation guide, or contact our team with any questions.
Resources
Educational Resources for the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse
Explore STEM activities for the April 8, 2024 solar eclipse. Perfect for Grades K-6.
Native Schoolyards Toolkit: Prairie Habitat
This toolkit focuses on how to initiate and implement native habitat or outdoor classroom projects at...
Project Budget Template
NEEF is committed to supporting grant applicants in their budgeting process by providing a user-friendly...
Activities
Environmental Education Group Games and Activities
A collection of fun, active, and engaging games to help children of all ages learn about the environment.
Greening STEM in a Classroom Setting
NEEF and the Frost Museum of Science discuss strategies for implementing Greening STEM in a formal classroom...
STEM: "Wet" Students' Appetite with Water Activities
Activities to teach students where their water comes from and why it’s important to keep natural water sources...