From Guest Blogger Tyler Banfield: Schooling High School Students on Going Green

According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau, employment of environmental scientists is projected to increase by 19 percent through 2020. A World Green Building Trends SmartMarket Report also found that by 2015, at least 60 percent of the work done by engineers and architects will have to do with an environmental issue.

Even though technology may make some jobs nearly obsolete over the next decade, as you can see from the above statistics, industries “going green” is a trend that’s only going to continue increasing.

Since knowledge about the environment is not only important in terms of potential careers, but also for understanding many issues that are going to play a key role in the future of the U.S. and the rest of the world, some high schools are working to give their students a leg up in this area:

Calexico High

Learning about the environment doesn’t have to be limited to the classroom. In fact, getting hands-on experience is one of the best ways for students to really get a grasp on important issues.

That’s why Calexico High’s (Calif.) Eco-Garden Club focuses on activities like building gardening boxes and doing worm composting. With support from the area’s Neighborhood House’s Farmers Markets, this club is the perfect example of how green activities can have a positive impact on an entire community.

Mother McAuley High School

This Chicago area school understands that one of the best ways to learn is by teaching others. That’s why they have an initiative that’s focused on helping people in areas like Haiti go green.

One of this program’s first projects was creating a solar panel and LED lighting system that was then used to power a school so that it can stay open at night and help a wider range of students.

You Can Personally Help Students

Whether you’re a teacher or parent, if you want to help one or more students learn about going green and even explore the possibility of a career in this growing field, the good news is there are plenty of things you can do to provide support.

Since not every school has a committee or club related to green issues, encourage students to start their own. Most high schools have a fairly straightforward process for students who want to start a new organization.

If a student is especially interested in issues like renewable energy, an internship is a great way to see what they think about actually working in this field. In addition to providing any networking or placement assistance that you can, a solid recommendation letter is something that any student will truly appreciate.

Keep in mind that even little things can help a lot.

If you’re a teacher, bringing attention to green issues whenever possible will give interested students an opportunity to engage in discussions with each other.

And if you’re a parent, keeping an eye out for green stories in the newspaper and clipping them is a great way to have interesting topics to talk about at dinner.

About the Author: Tyler Banfield writes on a variety of subjects and personalities, including the environment, social media, and Tim Broas.