Environmental education resources for schools

Students will have the opportunity to learn about our City by exploring lessons related to waste management, water quality and sustainability. For 2nd and 3rd Grade students, we now also have a cycling education program.

The purpose of these units is to build an understanding of the subject matter presented over time. These lessons will increase students' awareness of their environmental impact and ability to help mitigate our community's environmental challenges. After completion of a unit, students are able to participate in a free related experience.

• Kindergarten Thematic Units
• 1st Grade Thematic Units
• 2nd Grade Thematic Units
• 3rd Grade Thematic Units
• 4th Grade Thematic Units
• 5th Grade Thematic Units
• Middle School Thematic Units
• High School Thematic Units 

Cycling Thematic Unit

Many of these lessons come from established environmental education curricula. Some lessons have been created by staff or developed by related agencies. Referenced curricula include, but are not limited to, Project Learning Tree, Project WET, Project WILD, Population Education, Waste in Place, Don’t Waste It, etc.

Lessons are tied to Kentucky Academic Standards (KAS) and North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) Excellence in Environmental Education: Guidelines for Learning (K-12).

The City of Lexington develops, promotes and facilitates professional development workshops for kindergarten through 12th grade educators who work in public and private schools in Lexington-Fayette County. Trainings are aligned with state education standards. Workshops focus on multi-modal transportation, waste management and water quality.

Teachers’ Environmental Academy

Modeled after the city’s Community Environmental Academy, teachers will participate in week-long workshop focused on environmental challenges in Lexington. Participating educators will learn how to bring real-world issues into their classrooms to engage students in their local community. They will be introduced to individuals in the community that are available to assist them in their classrooms.

The dates for the 2024 Teachers’ Environmental Academy are:

• Elementary Academy | June 10 – 14
• Middle/High Academy | July 8 – 12
   

TEA application

Teachers who complete the academy by participating in the five workshops will receive:

• A $500 stipend or have costs for a substitute reimbursed
• Tours of the Recycle Center, the Wastewater Treatment Plant and more
• Training in curriculum from Don't Waste It, Project WET, Project WILD and Population Education
• Breakfast and lunch each day

Each participating teacher commits to:

• One week of trainings, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day
• Missing no more than one session and finding another teacher from their school to take their place if they do miss that one day (final day is mandatory for the primary teacher)
• Timely responses to questions regarding payments for stipends
• Use the information covered in the workshop in their classroom
   

Fayette County teachers only (public or private). Only one teacher per school will be accepted unless special provisions are made. Please email dwoolums@lexingtonky.gov to request an exception.

Follow LiveGreenLex on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to learn about upcoming PD opportunities.

Schools that regularly participate in our thematic units will receive an artistic print in recognition of their efforts. Teachers who help fulfill the requirements will also receive a personalized print for their classroom.

Platinum: Schools that engaged every single student in a completed unit will be recognized at the platinum level.

• 2024 Platinum Awardees: Cardinal Valley Elementary*, Cassidy Elementary, George Washington Carver STEM Academy for Boys*, Rise STEM Academy for Girls
   

Gold: Schools that had multiple grade levels involved in completing multiple units will be recognized at the gold level.

• 2024 Gold Awardees: Beaumont Middle School, Mary Todd Elementary, School for the Creative and Performing Arts at Bluegrass (SCAPA)
   

Silver: Schools where multiple grades only completed units from the same theme or one grade completed multiple units from different themes will be recognized at the silver level.

• 2024 Silver Awardees: Glendover Elementary, Southern Middle School
   

Bronze: Schools that completed a single unit with a single grade will be recognized at the bronze level.

• 2024 Bronze Awardees: Ashland Elementary*, Carter G. Woodson Academy, Clays Mill Elementary*, Jessie Clark Middle School, Liberty Elementary, Morton Middle School, Sandersville Elementary, Winburn Middle School
   

Honor: Schools that did not complete one of our Waste, Water, or Sustainability Thematic Units, but complete our Transportation Unit will be recognized at the partner level. We are thankful to share safe cycling instruction with a school’s 2nd or 3rd grade students.

• 2024 Honors: Booker T. Washington Elementary, Deep Springs Elementary, Garret Morgan Elementary, Julius Marks Elementary
   

We celebrate all schools that offer us the opportunity to engage their students in hands-on environmental education lessons.

*Denotes additional completion of Transportation Unit

Several field trips to city-owned sites are available to complement the lesson units. For public schools, the city will cover the cost of buses and substitutes for these outings. Funding for the financial assistance is limited.

• The Lexington Recycle Center, 4th grade and above: Learn about the process of collecting, sorting and selling recyclable materials.
• The Town Branch Wastewater Treatment Plant, 4th grade and above: Learn where water goes once you flush the toilet or after you take a shower. See the process used to clean the water before release it back to the environment.
   

Schools involved in the associated units can talk to their assigned educator about scheduling a field trip. Other groups should email dwoolums@lexingtonky.gov with request details. Please note that we cannot always accommodate field trips.

Custodial staff, child nutrition managers and office staff are invited to participate in focus groups with stipends and opportunities to visit City service sites. Education staff can perform waste audits with support staff to help schools understand the importance of recycling and reducing contamination. This data can then be used to develop or improve a school’s recycling plan and identify needed outreach materials.

Because services extend beyond the school day, our education team can be consulted about improving recycling at athletic events, school dances, academic competitions, etc. Specific protocols and signage for recycling have been developed and are available for use by interested school groups.

Communication about opportunities to be involved will be sent to school principals by the environmental education coordinator. Be on the lookout for ways to get involved!

Stormwater Quality Incentive Grants

The city has education grants available for projects that facilitate understanding and action related to stormwater. The maximum grant amount is $35,000. Any amount over $2,500 requires a 20% cost share, though in-kind match is accepted. Applications typically open in February each year and are due in early May.

Learn more