Greening STEM Projects

Hands-on environmental investigations that make STEM relevant and connected to young people's lives. 

making STEM learning local

NEEF’s Greening STEM projects engage youth in hands-on STEM activities tackling real-world challenges. Through partnerships with community groups, land management agencies, and funders, NEEF equips educators with the necessary resources for meaningful learning experiences for all young people.

73%

of schools served by Greening STEM grants receive Title I funds

Successful Greening STEM Projects

Greening STEM projects provide authentic learning experiences that deepen learning while reinforcing a sense of belonging and pride in the local environment.

A Comprehensive Experience
Outdoor Education

Students from Central High School in Grand Junction, Colorado, discovered the rugged beauty in their backyard while collecting scientific data and learning about the impact of invasive species. NEEF partnered with the Bureau of Land Management and the Colorado Canyon Association to give these students an unforgettable experience.

Connecting Communities
Youth and the Environment

Students from Benjamin Franklin Middle School (BFMS) in Teaneck, New Jersey, learned about the local watershed through hands-on water quality monitoring and biomonitoring studies in a nearby river. NEEF partnered with Teaneck Creek Conservancy, Samsung, and BFMS to help students make important connections between the health of the river and the community.

GREENING STEM PROJECTS AROUND THE COUNTRY

Greening STEM projects bring STEM learning about the environment to life on public lands of all sizes, from creeks and canyons to prairies and mountains. NEEF helps guide collaboration between community partners to develop and implement educational experiences that promote environmental stewardship for young people from diverse backgrounds.

To learn more about NEEF’s Greening STEM projects throughout the country, visit our interactive StoryMap below.

 

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GreeningSTEM map showing the project pins across the United States

See Our StoryMap

 

 

Prairie landscape with grasses, meadows, trees and a bright blue sky with white clouds
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Hands holding plant
Highlighted Story

Greening STEM Project Gives Students Hands-On Outdoor Experience

Seventh grade students from Bettendorf Middle School in the Quad Cities are spending two weeks restoring and learning about this valuable ecosystem as part of a Greening STEM project supported by the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) and Arconic Foundation. 

Partner Success Stories

How One NEEF Grant Kickstarted an Idaho Student’s STEM Career

Abella Cathey's journey from One Stone School to Boise State University showcases the power of hands-on...

Bayer Fund Supports Expansion of Greening STEM Projects

Thanks to generous support from Bayer Fund, NEEF announced it will move forward with Phase II of its Greening...

The Lost Carnivores: Using Greening STEM to Connect Students with Local Public Lands

Explore Saguaro National Park's innovative environmental education program, engaging local youth in wildlife...

Quad Cities Students Capture Creativity Through Greening STEM Project

What role do the arts play in STEM learning? Thanks to a partnership between NEEF and Arconic Foundation...

photo of students running on the beach
Want to make a difference in a young person's life?

Your financial support provides youth with the opportunity to connect learning to real-world issues in their community and appreciate, understand, and positively impact it while meeting learning objectives.

Learn more About Greening STEM

Greening STEM Hub

What is Greening STEM? Learn the approach, who is involved, and find resources to get started.

Greening STEM Success Stories You Can Adapt for Use in Your Classroom

Among the many challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the few bright spots is that Americans have...

Greening STEM and Inquiry-Based Education

A conversation with Terrence Williams, Principal at Benjamin Franklin Middle School in Teaneck, New Jersey...