Science Content Area

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Resources

What is all this NGSS stuff anyway? If you are new to NGSS, or like many of us, still trying to wrap your head around all the changes, you may find this padlet useful. It contains a great number of resources organized by these categories:

How is NGSS different?
What is Phenomenon?
What are Driving Questions?
What are Academic Conversations? (argumentation)
What is modeling?
How can administrators support teachers?

Free K-12 NGSS Aligned Curriculum

Are you looking for Free K-12 NGSS aligned curriculum? This padlet has links to curricular materials and other resources. Please do not assume that all these materials are 3 dimensional. Please use the 3 rubrics included in this padlet to evaluate these resources. 

Do you need help in designing your science curriculum, to meet the changes in the Michigan Science Standards?  If so, you may want to use the new Curriculum Coherence Document, developed at Wayne RESA.  The purpose of the document is to help you save time as you navigate through the curriculum process. Download (PDF) Curriculum Coherence Document.

The documents below will support your science curriculum team as you plan your transition to our new standards:

• (DOC) NGSS Transition Plan  
• (DOC) District Implementation Planning Guide
• (XLS) WRESA Strategic Science Plan
• (PDF) Blank Timeline for district/building use

For support with assessment, go to the NGSS Assessment Page.

The complete Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are available for download.

The best way to understand our new standards is to read the book, "A Framework for K-12 Science Education". To download a free copy of the K-12 Framework.   

NGSS Video: How to Read the Standards

MDE is actually encouraging everyone to slow down and understand the MI Science Standards before writing assessments and making course sequence changes, etc. Below is an example of what your transition plan might look like.

Stages not marked by years because they build on each other. For more information please see the NGSS Transition Plan. 

I would encourage everyone to really understand NGSS K-12 before you purchase new materials, create assessments, write lessons, etc. For example, at the MS and HS level, Performance Expectations (PE's) can be arranged in many different ways. The way you arrange them may not be the same way that others have arranged them. Thus, resources such as textbooks, kit-based science programs, units and lessons may not align to your organization of the PE's. That means that you will have to either change your organization of the PE's at a later date or create everything yourself.

For example, this is a Sample NGSX Chemistry Course - This is only one possibility of what an NGSX aligned science course might look like. In fact, you may not even want to call it chemistry. Please use this as a spring board for discussion and creativity. Notice that the collection of PE's may not align to a particular textbook or other resource. If you commit yourself at this point, it may be difficult for you to find assessments and resource materials that align with the course you have created. Another way to go about this is to spend more time making sure every teacher understands the shifts and vision of NGSS and then try to pilot materials (lessons, units, kit-based science programs, etc.) that align to NGSS.

I would really encourage your team to thoroughly understand NGSS before any drastic changes are made. From my own experience, understanding all these changes is quite a shift. You may want all your team to go through some of the professional learning that we provide at RESA such as NGSX (Please see information below regarding NGSX).

Professional Learning Opportunity, Nationally Developed, Locally Implemented

Have you signed up for one of our NGSX cohorts? To understand how this professional learning will support your implementation of the new science standards watch this video.

Learn more about the storyline tools along with some sample storylines and associated lesson plans.

You may want to first unpack the Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCI's).

1. Access the disciplinary core ideas in your grade-level or course and click on "Search the Standards".
2. Select "Standards By Topic" (this is how Michigan is organizing the standards).
3. Scroll down and select your grade span. Next, click on the science topics you are interested in and you will see all your performance expectations (PE's) listed.
4. Each PE is composed of all 3 dimensions. The dimensions associated with the PE are displayed in boxes below the PE. The orange box in the middle is the Disciplinary Core Idea. When you click on this DCI it will take you to the explanation of this target found in the book A Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas. This explanation is what the DCI is based on. View an Example of Unpacking Performance Expectations
5. Please also take into consideration the Science and Engineering Practices and the Crosscutting Concepts. To get a complete picture of the Science and Engineering Practices please read the book A Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas. You may also want to read the appendices. Please see the information below that describes how to access the appendices.

In August 2014 the state modified the wording of the science requirement for graduation. What used to say :

"1 credit in biology, 1 credit in chemistry OR physics, and 1 additional science class"

now reads:

"at least 3 credits in science that are aligned with the subject area content expectations developed by the department (State Department of Education) and approved by the state board under this section".

The interpretation is that students who graduate should master ALL of the state science standards, which are now the Michigan Science Standards (MSS) and are the Performance Expectations (PE's) from the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

How does CTE fit in?

The Michigan Merit Curriculum High School Graduation Requirements [PDF] states that, for science, there is some flexibility with these 3 credits. From the document:

SCIENCE GRADUATION REQUIREMENT – 3 Credits

• Proficiency in State Content Standards for Science (3 credits); or

• Beginning with the Class of 2015: Proficiency in some State Content Standards for Science (2 credits) and completion of a Department approved formal Career and Technical Education (CTE) program (1 credit).

Thus, a student may fulfill the requirement for the 3rd Science credit by completing a formal CTE program or curriculum.

If the 3rd Science credit is exchanged for a formal CTE program or curriculum then science content does not need to be integrated. However, districts are responsible for ensuring that students have an opportunity to learn the content as outlined in the Michigan Science Standards since these will be tested on the 11th grade Michigan Merit Exam.

Important, if the CTE course is not completed successfully then the student is not only out the CTE credits, but they will still be short a 3rd credit of science. 

How do I find the Performance Expectations that I'm required to teach?

To search for your performance expectations in your grade-level or course visit NGSS website. Then follow the procedure described in the update above, "Aligning Curriculum for Next Year".

We have some districts that are already looking into this. For example, the course sequence below distributes Earth Science Performance Expectations throughout several courses:

Physics (Astronomy)
Chemistry Earth Systems (Geology, Weather and Climate)
Biology Earth Systems (Environmental, History of Earth)
Optional Advanced Science Courses (AP, IB, H, Dual Enrollment)

Concern:

If chemistry and biology teachers are expected to incorporate Earth and Space Science into their courses, these teachers will need to be well versed in the treatment of those topics to provide the depth necessary for meeting the high school expectations.

Problem:

I am not aware of many resources available that are aligned to NGSS to support this Course Pathway. That being said, I am checking around to see what might be out there. For now, you might want to check out the resource below:

MSUs Interactions 

Explore other course sequencing options at Model Course Mapping in Middle and High School for the Next Generation Science Standards.

(DOC) Sample NGSX Chemistry Course - This is only one possibility of what an NGSX aligned science course might look like. Please use this as a spring board for discussion and creativity.

"A Framework for K-12 Science Education" is available online for free. It describes the major practices, crosscutting concepts, and disciplinary core ideas that all students should be familiar with by the end of high school, and it provides an outline of how these practices, concepts, and ideas should be developed across the grade levels. The Framework is grounded in the most current research on science and science learning and was the first critical step in the development of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). 

"A Framework for K-12 Science Education," in a process managed by Achieve, 26 states lead the development of the Next Generation Science Standards. 

Download the K-12 Framework.  

Learn more about the Michigan Science Standards and Assessment.

View the Ambitious Science Teaching Website. Great teaching can be learned. This website provides tools and resources that support ambitious science instruction at the middle school and high school levels. Ambitious teaching deliberately aims to get students of all racial, ethnic, and class backgrounds to understand science ideas, participate in the discourses of the discipline, and solve authentic problems. They describe 4 core instructional strategies that support this kind of teaching. These “high-leverage” practices make up the Science Learning Framework, and have been selected based on extensive research of how young people learn science, on authentic forms of science activity, and how teachers learn to appropriate new practices.  MI Excel (MDE's efforts to define the blueprint for district turnaround) recommends the vision of ambitious science.  

Thanks to the Eastern Upper Peninsula ISD Mathematics and Science Center, we have FREE downloadable posters for elementary students/teachers and middle school and high school students/teachers, that they developed.  

View the poster showing the Elementary Science and Engineering Principles (PDF).

View the poster showing the Middle School and High School Science and Engineering Practices (PDF).

Thanks again to the EUP Mathematics and Science Center for sharing their work with us. 

To download a free copy of the NGSS, or to order a printed copy of the NGSS.

You can download the free Next Generation Science Standards App.

These 8 videos introduce science teachers to important strategies based on the Framework for K-12 Science Education and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). This collection of videos highlights the major shifts in science instruction, explore the new role of the teacher, and demonstrate new instructional strategies in the high school classroom. The project was led by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) with funding from Disney, and the video and lesson development was led by CREATE for STEM Institute at Michigan State University, in partnership with Concord Consortium, and The University of Michigan. View the video series.

Getting to Know the Next Generation of Science Standards is a set of training materials being developed by partners from CREATE for STEM Institute at Michigan State University and Michigan NGSS External Review Team members for use by trainers providing professional development about the Next Generation of Science Standards (NGSS) to teachers. The training materials are in-depth and incorporate instructional components including activities to support the teachers' interaction with the content. As indicated below, some workshops are complete and available for use, some in development, and some currently undergoing review by members of the Michigan NGSS External Review Team. The next step will be to pilot the materials. Down the road, these materials will be housed as part of a common website with rich video material and resources. View the Create STEM Institute page from Michigan State University. 

Follow the conversation on the Next Generation Science Standards on Twitter. Just use #NGSS.

Follow along with NGSS resources on Pinterest, provided by GLOBE.  

Have you heard of Bozeman Science?  Paul Anderson maintains the Bozeman resources.  Paul has been teaching high school science for the last nineteen years.  He has been teaching science on YouTube for the last three years.  Paul spent the first seven years teaching all of the science classes at a small rural school in northern Montana.  Paul is currently a science teacher and technology specialist at Bozeman High School.  This video series covers the concepts contained within the K-12 Science Framework. It contains 8 practices, 7 crosscutting concepts, and 44 disciplinary core ideas.  View the series on YouTube. 

DePaul University convened a working group to provide a set of recommendations to districts and schools around the upcoming transition to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The working group included 19 members from universities (both science and education experts), schools systems (both within and outside of CPS, including teachers, principals, network administrators, and central office administrators) and non-formal educational institutions. The essential question that was addressed by the group was how we can ensure that all students receive a high quality, rigorous education in science that will prepare them to be informed citizens and demonstrate to them the personal and societal value of science and engineering. In the report the group described the hallmarks or elements of an educational system that is fully aligned with the NGSS, focusing on three clusters of actions: curriculum and instruction, assessment, and system capacity. The group presented this picture to serve as a vision for districts, schools, and classrooms as administrators and teachers begin their conversations about how to implement these "fewer, clearer and higher" standards. Following these hallmarks, the group outlined some suggestions for closing the gap between the current reality and the vision for K-12 science education. Download the policy brief (PDF).

The featured classroom examples illustrate how some educators are transitioning instruction to help students meet the goals of the NGSS. The snapshots demonstrate how specific teachers are beginning to transition to the standards and offer guidance to educators currently considering how to best engage students in three-dimensional learning.

• Model Course Mapping in Middle and High School for the Next Generation Science Standards
• Sample NGSX Chemistry Course - This is only one possibility of what an NGSX aligned science course might look like. Please use this as a spring board for discussion and creativity.

The M-STEP Science is a 3-Dimensional science assessment that is currently aligned to our new Michigan Science Standards (MSS). The MSS are the performance expectations (PE's) from the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Please see timeline below.

• The M-Step for 5, 8, and 11th grade is currently aligned to our new Michigan Science Standards.
• The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) and state law require that we give a state science exam once in each grade band: elementary, middle, and high school. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) continues those same requirements.
• MDE will continue to give the SAT and the M-STEP Science and Social Studies for 11th Grade

• The timeline for the New Michigan Science Standard assessment is:

  • Spring 2018 - New MSS aligned item clusters, Grades 5, 8, 11.  This test will be a little shorter than future tests. (accountability based on participation)

  • Spring 2019 - New MSS aligned item clusters, Grades 5, 8, 11. (accountability based on participation) 

  • Spring 2020 - Fully operational MSS assessment (Start High Stakes accountability) (Grades 5, 8, 11) 

• Move assessment from Grade 4 to Grade 5, and move Grade 7 to Grade 8
• Practices embedded throughout
• Grade 11 and Grade 8 tests to assess the entire band of standards (6-8 for 8th grade test ; 9-12 for 11th grade test)
• Grade 5 test to assess 3-5 grade standards

An (URL) NGSS Assessment Padlet has been created that provides assessment examples by grade span and also provides links to many assessment resources.

Tentative Assessment Plan (subject to change)

• Spring 2018 Assessment -- Pilot 2 and 3 dimensional science items aligned to the new standards. Accountability based on student participation rates.
• 2019 -- Pilot 2 and 3 dimensional science items aligned to the new standards. Accountability based on student participation rates.
• 2020 -- Full implementation of the three-dimensional testing of the Michigan Science Standards.

1. (URL) The Next Generation Science Assessment project.  If you would like to try out the middle school assessment tasks that have been developed so far, please go to https://ngss-assessment.portal.concord.org/ and https://concord.org/projects/ngss-assessments.  
2. NSTA has some resources as well. Check out https://www.nextgenscience.org/classroom-sample-assessment-tasks

(Executive Summary) (Introduction and Overview) (Grades K-5) (Grades 6-8) (Grades 9-12)

NGSS Evidence Statements provide educators with additional detail on what students should know and be able to do. These Evidence Statements are statements of observable and measurable components that, if met, will satisfy NGSS performance expectations.

The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) brought together a group of interested states to create the Science Assessment Item Collaborative (SAIC). The purpose of this phase of work for the SAIC was to develop resources to support states in designing assessments aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). As you know, our newly adopted Michigan Science Standards are the Performance Expectations (PE's) from NGSS.

In partnership with WestEd, the SAIC developed these resources:

• (URL) An Assessment Framework
• (URL) Item Specifications Guidelines 
• (URL) Item Cluster Prototypes (Grade 5 and Grade 12 item cluster prototypes) 

Additional resources will be made available in the future and can be found at (URL) https://www.csai-online.org/spotlight/science-assessment-item-collaborative

• Students who take the SAT will get a science score (this will not be used for school accountability)
• Students will also take the science M-STEP (this will be used for school accountability)
• The SAT science score can be used as part of the student's university application process
• Again, the SAT science score will not be used as part of a school's accountability
• Again, the Science M-STEP will be used as part of a school's accountability

How will the M-STEP science be factored into a school's focus or priority school status?

According to the Flexibility Waiver (p.101), Science M-Step scores will still be included within the school's accountability. This is also used in the identification and Top-to-Bottom Ranking for Priority schools ranking (not focus school ranking). The difference is that there were 5 subjects, now there are 4 because Writing and ELA are being combined.

Science is not counting toward Focus School Status anymore. And, even though it does play into the Priority School status, it would be at a much reduced rate because this is based on the number of tests taken for each building. For example, if there is a building with just 6th, 7th, and 8th graders that have 100 students in each grade, there would be 300 math tests, 300 ELA tests, 100 science tests, and 100 social studies tests taken. So, science now counts 1/8 (100 science tests out of 800 tests given) of the overall ranking for priority school status.

In conclusion, science does NOT count toward focus school status. However, It does play in proportionally (as described above in the status of priority schools) based on the number of tests taken in a building. So for elementary and middle there are typically more ELA and Math tests taken than Science. In high school, the proportion should be about the same. Additionally, the Spring 2015 test scores are not affecting Focus or Priority school. The Spring 2016 tests will affect them.

Please go to (URL) www.michigan.gov/baa if you would like Assessment Transition updates as weekly communications are posted there.

Here is some of the information from the BAA website:

Legislation was passed requiring the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) to develop a new summative assessment for use in Spring 2015. Unlike the previous MEAP assessments, the new assessment will be aligned to Michigan standards, administered in the spring, and measure current year versus past year student knowledge. English language arts and mathematics will be assessed in grades 3-8 and 11. Science will be assessed in grades 4, 7, and 11; and social studies in grades 5, 8, and 11. 

If you have questions or concerns, please contact Linda Howley, Test Development Manager Office of Standards and Assessment Division of Accountability Services Michigan Department of Education (517) 241-2525.

Accountability email address and telephone number:

Your one stop shop for all topics and resources relating to district and school accountability in Michigan! The Michigan Department of Education's District and School Accountability initiatives are handled by: Office of Evaluation, Strategic Research and Accountability (OESRA)

Office Phone: (877) 560-8378

Office Email: (EMAIL) MDE-Accountability@michigan.gov 

Achieve has released a new resource, the (URL) Classroom Sample Assessment Tasks. These sample tasks provide examples of how content from both the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in Mathematics can be assessed together in classrooms. Each task focuses on a specific context or storyline and includes multiple components that work together to partially or fully assess a bundle of chosen standards (i.e., group of related standards from the CCSS and the NGSS). The purpose of these sample tasks is to provide some examples of how to meaningfully integrate the NGSS and CCSS in authentic ways in the context of classroom assessment. To aid educators in their own task development, the front matter of the sample classroom assessment tasks provides information about the tasks’ development process so additional tasks can be created to assess a bundle of both math and science standards.

The State Science Education Standards Comparison Tool is available on the (URL) NGSS website.

(URL) NAEP Sample Science Questions
(URL) NAEP Example of Interactive Computer Assessment
(URL) Smarter Balanced Assessment

NAEP Data Analysis

According to this NAEP data, guess what factor is the greatest predictor of science success? Those students that are more economically fortunate have a greater likelihood of success in science. But if we look closer at this data, there are several outliers that tell a different story.

• Take a look at Kentucky and Oregon, they have a similar percentage of free or reduced price lunch students, but very different results; Oregon is one of the worst performing states, and Kentucky is one of the highest. Why?
• One reason may be the difference in the amount of time teachers spend teaching science. In Oregon, they average 1.5 hrs./week compared to 3.8 hrs./week. So where is Michigan?
• Comparing Michigan and Nevada, the lunch count should predict similar results, but they are separated by 9 points. Notice the amount of time they spend teaching science in each of these states, about a 1 hr. difference.
• If Michigan elementary classrooms were to increase instruction to 4 hours / week (and the same pattern were to hold true) we should have the highest NAEP scores in the country.

See Impact of Decline in Science Instructional Time in Elementary School [PDF]

If Michigan elementary classrooms were to increase instruction to 4 hours / week (and the same pattern were to hold true) we should have the highest NAEP scores in the country

Laying out a new vision for science assessments, a panel of the National Research Council proposed that states design testing systems that integrate several key types of science learning, and blend classroom-based assessments with state-level "monitoring" tests and gauges of students' "opportunity to learn."

The proposal, (URL) detailed in a 256-page report, offers an expert panel's ideas on how testing should change to fully reflect the Next Generation Science Standards adopted by eight states so far. The picture it paints departs markedly from current assessment practice, which tilts heavily toward students' knowledge of science facts, and typically takes place in one large-scale statewide exam each spring.

Instead, to gauge student learning, the panel recommends that states obtain feedback from three sources. One is ongoing, classroom-based, or "formative," assessments, which would draw students into building and refining scientific models, generating and analyzing data, and creating oral and written arguments about what they're learning.

The second source of information would be state-level "monitoring" tests that would be aimed at measuring how well students have learned the material over the course of a year, and that could be used to meet states' accountability needs.  

Finally, the panel says states should collect school-level information about resources that affect students' chances "to learn science in the ways laid out in the [NRC] framework and the [new science standards]," such as access to good instructional materials, the level of teachers' subject-matter expertise, and instructional approaches that allow students "of varying cultural and linguistic backgrounds" to access the material,

Crosswinds Marsh Wetland Interpretive Preserve

Crosswinds Marsh is a 1,050 acre Wetland Interpretive Preserve which offers a unique opportunity to observe a variety of wetland environments, including forested wetlands, wet meadows, shallow water wetlands and shallow water emergent wetlands. Crosswinds Marsh offers a blend of wetlands, wildflower meadows and upland forests, attracting over 200 species of birds, 30 species of mammals and a variety of reptiles, amphibians and fish.

Take I-275 to Will-Carleton Road (Exit #8). Take Will-Carleton/Oakville Waltz Road west 3 ½-miles to Haggerty Road. Take Haggerty Road ½-mile north to park entrance on the west side of the road.

Crosswinds Marsh Wetland Interpretive Preserve offers School Programs, Outreach Programs, Family Programs and Scout Badge Workshops focusing on the natural and cultural history of our area. Interpretive programs designed specifically for schools, scouts and families, feature hands-on activities, hikes, games and crafts to foster fun and informative learning experiences. We offer a variety of programs, but other topics can be provided upon request. On-site programs are offered April through October and outreach programs are offered throughout the year. The Parks Millage made these programs possible.

Detroit Science Engineering, Mathematics and Aerospace Academy

The Detroit Science Engineering, Mathematics and Aerospace Academy SEMAA Program services over 1500 students per year. It is an innovative program designed to reach K-12 grade students that are traditionally underrepresented in careers involving science, technology, engineering and mathematics. It is the only program in the metro area for the state of Michigan. The goal of the program is to encourage students to pursue STEM related majors and careers closing the gap of falling behind to prepare our next generation for the STEM workforce. With a curriculum planned by NASA, students meet regularly to engage in interactive learning sessions that are specifically designed for each grade level. We also feature an Aeronautics Educational Laboratory, complete with a flight simulator, wind tunnel, and over 10 computer stations that touch on subjects such as weather patterns to Bernoulli's principles.

Friends of the Rouge

Friends of the Rouge promotes the restoration and stewardship of the Rouge River.

Nankin Mills Interpretive Center

The Nankin Mills Interpretive Center is now open to the public and offers cultural, historical and natural science educational programming and exhibits for schools, scout groups and families. Nankin Mills Interpretive Center is located on Hines Drive, just east of Ann Arbor Trail in Westland, Michigan. Wayne County Parks is pleased to open the doors of Nankin Mills Interpretive Center to the public with exciting and informative exhibits for the whole family. Come visit their displays and explore the natural and cultural history of the Rouge River watershed. You will discover which animals still call our area home, and learn how the first people of Michigan lived closely with the land. The Rouge River was an important resource to the first settlers in the area and a gristmill was located here for 100 years. Henry Ford continued to utilize the water power on our site for one of his first Village Industry projects. So much local history to discover! Tour on your own, or call for a guided group tour appointment. 

National Wildlife Federation

The National Wildlife Federation's mission is to inspire Americans to protect wildlife for our children's future. The NWF Great Lakes Natural Resource Center regularly works with Wayne County educators, organizations, and the public to provide educational resources on schoolyard habitats, wildlife, climate change, and the Great Lakes.

Orion's Quest

The Wayne County Math and Science Center is very lucky to be affiliated with Orion's Quest. This project provides students with the opportunity to do space research. The project was developed in Wayne County.

Rouge Education Project

The Wayne County Math and Science Center is a proud sponsor of the Friends of the Rouge/Rouge Education Project. Over 100 schools from Wayne and Oakland Counties participate in this water quality project.

The Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge

The Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge is interested in partnering with Wayne County schools to do service-learning projects at the Refuge on invasive species removal, trail building and posting refuge signs.

The Greening of Detroit

One of our newest partners is The Greening of Detroit. Their mission is to guide and inspire the growth of a "greener" Detroit through planting and educational programs, environmental leadership, advocacy and by building community capacity.

Welcome to Wayne County's 11th year of the Michigan Green School program - 2017-2018 school year. Wayne County will again continue to showcase your school’s environmental leadership, while encouraging students, staff, and parents to improve energy conservation and become environmental stewards. Public Act 301 (2010), is the updated and revised P.A. 146 (2006) which encourages all public and private schools to voluntarily implement energy saving and environmental activities and become recognized as a Michigan Green School.

The Wayne County Department of Public Services (DPS) and partner Wayne County Regional Educational Service Agency (Wayne RESA) will again implement this program and recognize schools that achieve 10 or more energy saving and environmental activities in an academic year. The activities are set up in categories: Recycling, Energy Saving, Environmental Protection and Miscellaneous. A fifth category allows you to Propose Your Own Activity. This is an annual recognition, so schools must re-apply each year to remain a Wayne County Michigan Green School. All schools recognized as a Wayne County Michigan Green School will receive a large indoor/outdoor Michigan Green Schools banner and a certificate signed by the County CEO and Wayne RESA Superintendant to proudly display as your school continues to work to reduce energy costs and protect Michigan’s precious natural resources.

Important Information

• You must use the Wayne County Guidelines. Please note that other application forms, including those found on the Michigan Green Schools Foundation website, CANNOT be accepted.
• The school coordinator or team leader must complete the Activity Verification Form, or similar format with proper documentation describing how the school has performed the activities.
• Activity Verification forms should be submitted to Nancy Gregor by March 1, 2018
• Wayne County schools can achieve the following Green School Designations, depending on the number of specified energy saving and environmental activities they complete:

Together, Wayne County and You can build Green Schools for a better environment!  

For additional information on Wayne County’s Michigan Green School program, please visit   https://www.waynecounty.com/doe/wayne-county-green-schools.htm

We look forward to working with you for another great and growing Green School year. For more information or assistance, please contact Wayne County Green Schools program coordinators:

Nancy Gregor
Wayne County Department of Public Services
3600 Commerce Court
Wayne, MI 48184
734.326.4607
ngregor@waynecounty.com

Richard Bacolor
Wayne County Mathematics and Science Center at Wayne RESA
33500 Van Born Road
Wayne, MI 48184
734.334.1348
bacolor@resa.net

Guidelines and Activity Form for 2017 - 2018

Please click HERE to apply to become a Wayne County Green School.

What is a Michigan Green School?

• Michigan Green Schools is a non-profit 501(c)3 agency dedicated to assisting all Michigan schools - public and private - achieve environmental goals which include protecting the air, land, water and animals of our state along with world outreach through good ecological practices and the teaching of educational stewardship of students pre-kindergarten through senior high school.
• Michigan Green Schools began as an idea from students and teachers of Hartland Consolidated School District in the fall of 2005. It was determined that the best way to help Michigan achieve environmental goals through its schools was to formulate 20 points of educational environmental activities. It was further decided that if any school in Michigan achieved ten of these points within an academic year, it could achieve official Michigan Green School status.
• Students and teachers then proceeded to propose their bill to local Representative Joe Hune, who introduced the bill in the Michigan House in 2006. Students and teachers testified before the House Natural Resources Committee; it was forwarded to the House floor. Public Act 146 of 2006 was approved by an overwhelming majority of that body.
• State Senator Valde Garcia then sponsored the legislation before the Michigan Senate Natural Resources Committee, which voted to send the bill to the Senate floor. The Senate voted almost unanimously to approve the measure.
• Governor Jennifer M. Granholm signed the bill May 21, 2006. In the first year of the program, 18 schools participated. Last year 189 schools became official Michigan Green Schools. This academic year, over 300 schools are participating in the growing program.

CLICK HERE to see a list of Achieved Green School Awards

Resources from the Wayne County Green Schools Workshop, held at the Nankin Mills Nature Center on Wednesday, November 6, 2013

• (PPT) Review of the 2013 Recognition Ceremony, held at Wayne RESA.
• (PPT) "Green" Ideas PowerPoint Provided by our Friends in the Macomb County Green Schools Program.
• (DOC) "Green School" Photos - 1
• (DOC) "Green School" Photos - 2
• (DOC) Activity Ideas
• (XLS) List of Resource Providers
• (URL) Nankin Mills Nature Center, Westland, MI (Host Site)
• (DOC) Meeting Agenda

Resources

• (PDF) Resources to Assist in Completing Green School Activities.  Contact Information, Phone Number, Website, and Email Addresses Are Included.

• Green Schools Presentation

• (IMG) Official Michigan Green School Logo
  If you need to use the official Michigan Green Schools Logo for your newsletters, emails, etc., please feel free to click on the attached link, download it and use it.
   
• (URL) Michigan Green Schools Website

The following resources are provided by Waste Management, Inc.:

• (URL) Landfill Gas to Energy
• (URL) Single Stream Recycling
• (URL) Secret Life of Landfills: Use the Teachers resource section to select the following:
  • Grades - All
  • Landfill
  • Videos and this link should appear so you can click on it and watch the Secret Life of Landfills video
• (URL) Beneficial Re-Use
• (URL) Wildlife Habitat Certification
• (URL) Wildlife Habitat Council
• (URL) Waste to Energy