South Carolina
green step schools

Leaphart Elementary School STEAM Magnet first grade teacher, Sarah Guffey, has been selected as the 2021 Green Outstanding Educator of the Year by Keep the Midlands Beautiful.  The award is given annually to recognize an individual in Richland County, Lexington County, or in the City of Columbia who facilitates learning opportunities; raises awareness inside or outside the classroom and inspires, educates, or enforces a “greener” lifestyle. Guffey has partnered with Keep the Midlands Beautiful for the past two years to collect shoes for their annual shoe drive. Thanks to Guffey’s leadership, Leaphart Elementary students and staff collected 250 pairs of shoes for the project.

The South Carolina Electric Co-op Association sponsors EnlightenSC - an energy-focused resource for South Carolina teachers.  Every year they offer a summer graduate course entitled The Institute on Energy, Economics and the Environment: a STEM course. Registration is officially open. See https://www.enlightensc.org/ for complete details.

EEASC is pleased to  award a $250 School Garden/Greenhouse Service Project Grant $250 to Green Step School, Leaphart Elementary.

Other grants went to:

• Okatie Elementary School, Pollinator Garden Service Project Grant - $400

• Newberry SWCD, Camp Conservation and Greenville Zoo Student Learning Opportunity Grant - $500

EEASC provides grants of up to $1,000 to EEASC members to support Professional Development, Student Learning Opportunities, and Service Projects. Two award cycles are available each year; applications received by the fall deadline of October 1, 2022 will be considered for fall funding; applications received by March 1, 2023 will be considered for spring funding. Learn more and apply online at https://eeasc.org/page-1812939