NEW YORK - May 14, 2020 - EcoRise, the school-based nonprofit organization inspiring a new generation of leaders to design a sustainable future for all, and ergonomics-leader Humanscale are joining forces to bring an eco-literacy education program to 60 educators across Boston, MA; Dallas, TX; New Jersey; and New York, at no cost to teachers, schools, or school districts. Humanscale joins a coalition of EcoRise supporters (https://ecorise.org/about/community-partners) that have leading-edge practices in sustainability and community engagement, including Salesforce, MetLife Foundation and others.
This partnership will provide sixty K–12 teachers with professional development, curriculum and resources focused on sustainability, innovation and social entrepreneurship. Participating teachers will learn how to develop authentic learning experiences while fostering students' leadership skills, critical thinking and environmental literacy. The program will also give educators access to training and support from the EcoRise team. By equipping teachers with resources and support, this partnership aims to enlighten and inform up to 3,000 students.
The EcoRise program, which is used in 3,200 K–12 classrooms across the U.S. can be easily virtually accessed for remote learning while school closures are in effect, and it encourages students to tackle real-world challenges in their communities. Through the curricula, students conduct an Eco-Audit investigation of their school's environmental performance in energy, waste, water, food, public spaces, air quality, or transportation. Students then apply to the Student Innovation Fund, which underwrites classroom micro-grants for data-driven projects that reduce a school's environmental footprint. Humanscale will expand EcoRise's national Student Innovation fund to an additional 18 student teams during the 2020–2021 school year.
Humanscale will advance its community engagement efforts by working with EcoRise to connect Humanscale's team of Sustainability Ambassadors, employee volunteers, with EcoRise students to provide career exposure to students through mentorship and also work with students on project implementation.
"Humanscale is an industry leader in the field of corporate sustainability," said Jon Stott, Executive Director of EcoRise. "Our team is excited to partner with them in three communities across the United States, equipping more young changemakers with the tools they need to create a better world for us all.
"Humanscale is committed to working towards a net-positive impact on the environment and we believe it's important to foster the knowledge and enthusiasm of the next generation," says Jane Abernethy, Chief Sustainability Officer at Humanscale. "We are honored to partner in this effort with EcoRise and join a network of other passionate partners that share these values"
K–12 Teachers in Boston, Dallas, New Jersey, or New York who are interested in participating in the program can learn more and register here: https://ecorise.org/si-program/.
Contact
Laura Fuller, EcoRise
