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Green school festivals are interactive events that raise awareness about local natural resources and environmental issues while celebrating green projects in schools. These engaging events feature hands-on activities, exhibits, and various themes like recycling, energy conservation, and more. Festivals may include service-oriented activities, entertainment, and refreshments. Organizing a green school festival involves steps such as research, convening a planning team, budgeting, fundraising, activity development, volunteer coordination, promotion, and evaluation. By involving the community, businesses, and local organizations, schools can create impactful and sustainable events that support green initiatives and education. Get started on organizing a fun, engaging, and educational green school festival today!
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CELEBRATING GREEN SCHOOLS!Community Collaboration & Education Melissa Arthur Education Programs & Outreach Director
Festivals & Special Events for Green Schools Green school festivals are educational, interactive, and fun events that will increase awareness and appreciation of local natural resources & issues while celebrating your school’s green projects!
Green school festivals typically include structured learning stations and exhibits where students and/or community members actively engage in hands-on activities and investigations
Green School Events may also include • Service-oriented activities • Stream clean-up • Storm drain stenciling • Tree Planting • Arts & Entertainment • Live music • Theatre • Games & Contests • Magic Shows • Refreshments • Locally bottled water • Free Food
Possible Green School Festival Themes: • Recycling • Energy Conservation • Water Conservation • Air Pollution • Water Pollution • Endangered Species • Agriculture • Earth Day • Nature Art • Trees • Soil Conservation • Renewable Energy • Urban Water issues • School Gardens • Fishing Events • Culture & Environment • Birds & Butterflies • Rain Barrels
Any Natural Resource Topic Can BeFUN, HANDS-ON, MINDS-ON & ENGAGING!
Why Festivals? • Take a break from the doom & gloom to CELEBRATE your school’s part of the SOLUTION! • Event formats can be adapted to address those issues most important in your local community • Activities can be adapted to meet state standards, enhance your curriculum, and build 21st Century Skills • Structured opportunity for businesses, agencies, community organizations, and local government to interface with schools for a “real world” approach to learning & career opportunities • Build community support for your school’s green projects
Step 1: Research & Convene Your Planning Team • Research similar events to get a realistic picture of what kind of skills, resources, or expertise you’ll need • Work with key decision-makers to determine what support the school can provide, and what support you will need to recruit • Invite potential team & be clear about expectations • Define a common mission & objectives for your event • Develop an action plan & time line…then DELEGATE!
Potential Partners? Many organizations want to work with local schools! - Rural Water Districts - City Governments - County Governments - State Government - Federal Agencies - Conservation Districts - Business & Industry - Agricultural Organizations - Community Organizations - Local Artists - Colleges & Universities - County Extension - Parks & Nature Centers - Local Museums & Zoos - Non-Profit Organizations - Boards of Public Utilities - Conservation Organizations (PF)
Step 2: Build Your Budget • Determine size and scope of your event • List probable expenses for your event • List all available funds from your school, PTA, grants, etc. • Adjust the size and scope of the event to fit your budget • OR Fund raise to adjust your budget to fit the size and scope!
Step 3: Fund Raise for a Sustainable Event Diversify your funding resources • Grants • Sponsorships or Donations • In-kind Contributions Help potential funders help you • Create a sponsorship packet that illustrates your event • Be clear and creative with the “ask” • Find at least 4-5 ways to acknowledge each sponsor
Step 4: Activity & Program Development • Hands-on, active learning is best! FUN is important! • Know your audience: gear programs toward specific group • Adapt activities to setting and time available • Match activities with abilities & interests of your presenters • Make sure all activities fit your goals & objectives for the event • Be prepared, and be ready with Plan B…..and C!
Step 5: Volunteers, Exhibitors & Presenters • Compile job descriptions for each volunteer role • Use your planning team, ask them to recommend volunteers • Be clear about your expectations, provide detailed instructions • Hold a presenter training or meeting if needed • Provide coffee, water, snacks, breaks, and appreciation!!! • Be available to support & guide both before and during the event
Step 6: Promotion & Public Relations • Create a marketing plan/strategy for your event, keeping in mind your school’s policies about visitors on site • Use your school’s website, facebook page, or other online resources to get the word out! • Make a list of local news editors in your area, including formats, policies and deadlines • Send out news releases to meet deadlines • Develop a press packet (don’t forget to recognize sponsors!) • Assign a media relations volunteer to answer questions
Step 7: Evaluate for a Sustainable Event • Develop your event’s mission and intended outcomes • Brainstorm ways these outcomes can be measured during and after the event • Develop evaluation processes for participants and volunteers • Keep evaluation forms simple, and build in time or motivation to get them turned in • Thank participants and volunteers for their feedback, and act on constructive suggestions
KACEE is Here to Help! • Resource CD includes planning guides for festivals, sample activities, checklists and more! • KACEE can help identify local partners and develop an action plan, just give Melissa a call! • Project WET, WILD, LEP and PLT Workshops can provide hundreds of hands-on activities & ideas • Green schools grants can help fund festivals & events www.kacee.org 785-597-5452 marthur@kacee.org