Environmental Club

National Green Schools Society provides a structured chapter-based program for high-achieving, environmentally focused students to create extraordinary impact in schools, organizations, and communities while getting the recognition they deserve on a state and national level. The NGSS program develops bright, civic-minded, environmentally literate citizens. By establishing a NGSS chapter at Dakota Ridge High School, students will advance their passion for preserving the environment through environmental service projects, leadership, and activism. Essentially, this is the formula:

• Dakota Ridge High School starts a NGSS chapter.

• Students are inducted as members and leaders are elected.

• Each student or the group selects an environmental service project or multiple projects for the year.

• Our chapter submits an end of year project report.

• Our chapter and students apply for student recognition and awards on the local, state, and national level through NGSS national.

While our chapter should be largely student-led and self-sufficient, NGSS' job at the national organization is to funnel information, ideas, and opportunities to keep momentum high and connect us to their network for resources, partnerships, and successful projects. To get the chapter started, I need to ask a teacher or other school mentor to sign on and complete an application. I need to make sure to follow procedures to get the chapter recognized with Dakota's administration or principal.

Each Chapter receives a detailed NGSS Handbook that includes a sample charter, calendar, scripts for an induction and end of the year ceremony, documents, and sample promotional material. Chapters will also receive members-only access on the website to the NGSS Handbook and  promotional material. Once I sign up, an email will be sent to me with detailed instructions.

NGSS and STEM

NGSS shares the same acronym as the Next Generation Science Standards but is in no way affiliated with the standards.

NGSS encourages student members to design their projects around 21st Century Skills, innovation, and the development of skills to align with green careers and sustainability and environmental majors at the university level. NGSS student members who are interested in STEM-related projects should focus on these areas:

• Agriculture

• Architecture

• Biological and bio-medical sciences

• Computer and information sciences

• Conservation

• Engineering and engineering technology/technicians

• Environmental health

• Health professionals and clinical sciences

• Mathematics and statistics

• Natural resources management

• Physical sciences

• Renewable energy

• Sustainability

• Waste management

NGSS – A National Green Schools Society high school chapter is focused on individual and team environmental service projects. Students are inducted into the chapter based on a minimum number of service hours already achieved.  Every member must commit to a minimum of 20 hours of service per year in order to qualify for awards and recognitions. NGSS members must earn service hours in environmental service and environmental education. Chapters have elected officers and conduct fundraising activities.

For more information about NGSS, contact:
ngss@projectgreenschools.org