Walking Softer Education: Empowering Students for Community Environmental Solutions
![Walking Softer Education Learning Materials An example of the learning materials](http://dg56ycbvljkqr.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/styles/16_9_max_600/public/eepro-post-images/Screenshot%202024-08-13%20at%201.01.56%E2%80%AFPM.png?itok=tR2YhrEo)
Walking Softer Education is a free program designed for high school-aged youth to learn about sustainability and lead community-based environmental solutions. Participating groups learn about specific environmental issues and solutions, then take action by planning, designing, and implementing a community sustainability project. Walking Softer provides up to $2,000 in project funding, a $1,000 teacher stipend, and participating juniors and seniors are eligible for a scholarship up to $20,000.
How it works:
Any high school class, club, or out-of-school-time educational program is eligible to participate in the program. Teachers who take groups through the learning activities and facilitate a community project will receive a stipend of $1,000.
- Groups are required to complete four engaging, NGSS-aligned lessons on the Walking Softer website, covering the environmental topics of rewilding, sustainable food systems, and material waste management.
- Teachers complete the registration process online in order to be eligible to receive up to $2,000 of project funding and a $1,000 teacher stipend.
- Following the onboarding process, groups pick a project to design and implement in their community. Walking Softer will distribute funds for groups to execute their project plans after they submit their completed project "How-to Guide" and an invoice.
In addition, high school juniors and seniors participating in Walking Softer Education are eligible for a scholarship of up to $20,000 should they choose to apply sustainability to their academic and professional future (2-year, 4-year, or trade school eligible)!
Click here to sign up for the 2024/2025 school year!
What teachers are saying about Walking Softer Education: “I love how the lessons perfectly align with my state's learning standards that I am required to teach for high school Biology. The lessons are engaging for students and allow them to think and problem-solve real world and local issues in their communities.”