Molloy, National Grid Foundation Partner on 'Teaching Green Institute'

For the second year in a row, many of Long Island’s secondary school teachers took to the classroom as students in an innovative program presented by and the National Grid Foundation named the Teaching Green Institute.

The program is designed to train secondary teachers in environmental issues and provide suggestions on incorporating environmentally focused curriculum into their classrooms.

Molloy, already well-known for its expertise in professional development for teachers, utilized its Sustainability Institute staff as guest lecturers to supplement professors for the Teaching Green Institute. The instructors focused on such topics as global warming and its local challenges, clean energy solutions on Long Island, and reducing toxins in your daily environment.

“Today’s students need to understand the many environmental issues they will face in their lifetimes, and we are preparing teachers who can communicate this important information,” said Dr. Drew Bogner, president of Molloy College. “We are pleased to be able to, once again, partner with the National Grid Foundation on such an important project.”

Following last year’s successful inaugural program — which trained 36 teacher — this year’s expanded program included 46 teachers, with a significant number from school districts in underserved communities. The participants will be able to teach sustainability concepts and practices to approximately 20,000 students during the next five years. 

Participants in the institute took part in the following experiences:

    •    Making solar cookers, cars, and water heaters
    •    Looking under the hood of a hybrid car
    •    Visiting a working organic farm
    •    Researching the sustainable features and initiatives of local businesses
    •    Creating a public service announcement about an environmental issue
    •    Making a non-toxic cleaner for our homes

"Through your teaching and example, some students will seek careers that develop green technologies and address environmental issues directly,” said Bob Catell, board member of the National Grid Foundation.

“If a child is old enough to flip on a light switch or open a water faucet to brush his or her teeth, then they are old enough to begin learning how not to waste resources and to choose options that are better for the environment," said Neal Lewis, executive director of the Sustainability Institute at Molloy College.