Grant Application

Project Name: CSI: Sustainable Cities

Project Description:
CSI: Sustainable Cities is a combination of two professional development workshops,
incorporating the strengths of CSI: Climate Status Investigations, and Students for Sustainable
Cities. Through sponsorships provided by corporations, foundations, school districts, state
grants, etc., educators attend these workshops that use hands-on inquiry to explore a variety of
global changes, environmental sustainability, and potential solutions. These professional
development workshops widen focus of education by presenting a balanced, nonbiased,
comprehensive, and interdisciplinary approach. In this workshop educators will utilize this
approach to understand the impact of the natural and built environment on a communitys health
and the study of sustainability, while discovering global climate change. By learning strategies to
remove any bias in order to help with student inquiry, the workshop introduces attendees to a
new way of thinking about their approach to these issues. It also helps to give the skills to lead
students through an exploration of the factors contributing to greenhouse gas levels and the
resulting economic and social impacts associated with climate change. The workshop
curriculum is aligned to a variety of standards in a variety of disciplines, including language arts,
math, science, and social studies. It also incorporates effective and innovative ideas, activities,
and methods including conflict resolution, mediation, role playing, small group work, and
technology driven activities. Along with the opportunities that this experience will provide,
educators are given a variety of resources with which to implement a comparable experience in
their school with multiple groups.
By applying inquiry-based focused learning practices, critical thinking skills, and democratic
processes, attendees develop strategies to analyze and address sustainability needs. Through
stakeholder analysis, the curriculum guides students to appreciate a variety of viewpoints and
ultimately, through an evaluation of possible sustainable options for addressing climate change
prevention and the role of technology. The workshop will assist the educator to improve the
decision-making abilities of students and provide them with leadership opportunities in their
communities through action projects with their teachers, schools, sponsor employee volunteers,
and others while developing an understanding of potential career opportunities. Along with the
opportunities that this experience will provide, educators are given a variety of resources with
which to implement a comparable experience in their school.

Purpose of this grant:
We respectfully request a grant to support a total of 1 middle school educator at $3,600 to
attend a professional development workshop, CSI: Sustainable Cities, in Wilmington, Delaware
November 11-13, 2014. With funding at this level, each sponsored teacher will join other
teachers to attend the 3 day workshop and receive professional development, curriculum
materials, a stipend to conduct student action projects, travel expenses, as well as
reimbursement for a substitute teacher.

The educators that attend the professional development workshop will participate in a
brainstorming session for teachers and students to select a project that will focus on topics such
as reduced carbon, sustainable transit, or sustainable schools, where it will be possible to
measure and demonstrate the impact.


Names and qualifications of those who will be engaged in the program/project:
Emily Weber, who will lead the 3 day workshop, is Keystone Schools Educator Programs
Director. She joined the team at KS in September 2012. She previously taught across specialty
and content areas in K-12 classrooms including a few years as a Gifted & Talented Education
Program Director. She has been teaching in traditional and non-traditional settings since 2003.
Emily earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and her Master's Degree in Curriculum
and Instruction from the University of Denver, as well as her Colorado State Teaching License.
Emily currently holds a Professional Colorado Teachers License.

Additionally, instructional staff members are practicing teachers who have participated in the
program and use the curriculum in their classrooms. They mentor participants to provide them
with easy-to-use activities and methods that are proven and effective. Their expertise and first-
hand knowledge of the current education system represents an invaluable asset to the
programs effectiveness.

Program Goals:
Cultivate the decision-making skills necessary to resolve todays complex questions and
issues related to global climate change and sustainability
Enhance critical thinking skills in education professionals and students
Connect educators, students, schools, corporations, and leaders in local communities
Help professional educators prepare students to become informed and committed future
leaders

Program Objectives:
Improve the understanding of global climate change and sustainability
Increase the use of state-of-the-art technology and serve as a role-model for teachers
Use balanced, nonbiased, processes and activities to advance decision-making abilities
Utilize interdisciplinary teams to augment and solidify the long-term implementation of the
CSI: Sustainable Cities curriculum in schools nationwide


Program Timeline:

August
October 2014
Recruit educators to attend

November 2014 Host CSI: Sustainable Cities workshop in Wilmington, DE

December 2014
May 2015
Report results to program partners and sponsors
Recipients will develop action projects throughout school year, through May 2015.


Total Project Budget

Budget Item Description Total Cost
Attendee Direct Expenses
3,600
Participant Meals 360
Project Supplies 535
Participant Transportation
235
TOTAL
4,730
Present means of support and status of applications to other funding sources.
Self-sponsorship or School-sponsorship of $1300.00

# of educators impacted: 2
# of students impacted: 250 (the entire 8
th
grade as the lessons will be
incorporated into all disciplines throughout the grade level)

How is the program aligned with national and/or local education initiatives?
CSI: Sustainable Cities curriculum is aligned to national education standards, including
Common Core Standards, AASL/ALA Standards and Next Generation Science Standards in a
variety of disciplines, including language arts, math, science and social studies. The curriculum
also incorporates effective and innovative ideas, activities and methods including conflict
resolution, mediation, role playing, small group work and technology based activities.

How does this program ensure ongoing involvement and learning for the
attendees?
Educators who attend CSI: Sustainable Cities are trained to develop the projects using two
separate schools of thought: taking on the role of the educator / leader as well as taking on the
role of their students. As educators, they are challenged to adapt and revise each lesson to the
needs of their school environment, knowledge level of students, individual standards and time
frames in a non-biased format.

The lessons are easily adaptable; this component allows the educator to take leadership and
ownership and find the value of presenting the lessons in their classroom in their own way from
year to year. Educators are also encouraged to share the curriculum with our colleagues at our
school and within our school district.