By Deborah Rogers Curtis, Green Schools Coordinator for Missouri Gateway Green Building Council
Did you know that buildings are responsible for 40% of the greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, and over 60% of the greenhouse gas emissions in the St. Louis region? With over 130,000 public school buildings in the United States, schools can have an important impact if they reduce their carbon footprint. Schools in Missouri and Southern Illinois are invited to join the Green Schools Quest for the 2026-2027 school year to receive support for a school sustainability project and reduce their environmental impact.
The Green Schools Quest asks students to design and implement a low- or no-cost sustainability project for their school and report on its success to a panel of judges for the chance to win prize money. This completely free program provides professional development to teachers throughout the school year as well as pairs a Mentor to the school for the duration of the project. Schools must sign up by September 15, 2027. From October-March, students lead the way on their project, and in March, 2027, schools submit their projects to a panel of judges who determine winners across several age and content categories. All participants will be celebrated at the Annual Green Schools Event in April, 2027, where the winners and prizes will be announced.
The 2026-2027 Green Schools Quest’s theme is Systems Thinking, and schools are invited to take on a project related to this complex and nuanced topic. Projects on theme receive extra points on the scoring rubric, but schools are free to pursue any sustainability project of their choice.
Enrollment in the Green Schools Quest is open until September 15th, 2027 for both schools and Mentors. Interested school leaders and potential Mentors can sign up at showmegreenschools.org/gsq or email info@showmegreenschools.org with questions. Over 200 schools have participated in this program since 2013. Join the school sustainability movement today!