The GEF Institute offers sustainability education and training through online courses and certification programs tailored for K-12 schools, colleges, universities, and businesses. It features a Sustainability Partner Program allowing partner schools to access courses at low or no cost, along with additional resources. The courses utilize interactive methods and are designed to promote sustainability literacy and effective behavior change.

1. GEF Institute
2012 Overview
Empowering Global Citizens with
Sustainability Education & Training
Copyright © 2012 GEF Institute. All Rights Reserved.
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2. About the Institute
GEF Institute, a division of Green
Education Foundation (GEF) was
established to meet the increasing global
market demand for sustainability
education and training.
The Institute develops state-of-the art
online courses, certificate programs, and
blended learning curriculum in
sustainability concepts for k-12 schools,
colleges and universities, and businesses.
Copyright © 2012 GEF Institute. All Rights Reserved.
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3. Sustainability Partner Program
Sustainability Partners are schools or schools districts interested in providing educators,
staff and students with GEF Institute’s sustainability education at a low or no cost.
Partners Receive:
• Access to GEF Institute’s online course, Introduction
to Sustainability
• One online video course from the Sustainability
Steward Series. A new course is available quarterly.
• 15% discount on all GEF Institute online courses,
curriculum, and certificates
Partner Pledge:
• Share GEF Institute’s opportunities with educators
and staff via their website, email bulletins and social
media posts
Copyright © 2012 GEF Institute. All Rights Reserved.
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4. Online Courses
Courses incorporate dynamic instruction
techniques including:
• Video narration
• Pre and post unit assessments
• Interactive activities
• Discussion forums
• And more!
Courses are self-paced and available on-demand
Course lengths range from 1.5 hours to 15 hours
Professional Development or Academic Credit is
available
Copyright © 2012 GEF Institute. All Rights Reserved.
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5. Certificates in Sustainability
GEF Institute certificates are comprised of online education that provide big
picture analysis and local application of important concepts to foster
awareness and enthusiasm for sustainability.
• Earning a certificate boosts credibility in the
workplace or classroom and provides the
foundational knowledge for successful
sustainability initiatives or behavior change
campaigns.
• Distinct levels of certificates in sustainability
concepts motivate participants to take
incremental steps toward sustainability literacy
and action.
• Some courses required for certificates are eligible
for professional development (CEUs) or academic
(graduate or undergraduate) credit.
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6. Blended Learning Curriculum
GEF Institute green building courses packaged and ready for classroom-
based instruction and supplemented by our digital learning platform.
A Blended Learning Approach
• Course content is streamed
• Teachers receive special access to download
selected sections
• Students access online activities and
assignments
Teacher Materials Include:
• Teacher Manual
• Lesson Plans
• Pacing Guide
• Presentation Slides
• Transparencies
• Handouts
• Audit Materials
• Capstone Project
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7. 2011 Testimonials
"This has been a tremendously rich experience. I am impressed and happy with the resources you have
provided." – Course Participant
"Great course! I learned a lot and was impressed with the quality of the information, expertise and resources,
variety of content, the videos, etc. It was user friendly" – Course Participant
"This could well be the most engaging sustainability course I have taken (either online or face-to-face). Nicely
presented, well organized and completely pertinent I found it very worthwhile." – Course Participant
"I loved the course. It enabled me to feel more confident about moving forward with sustainability at my school."
Course Participant
"The videos are fabulous and just the right length. The questions and material are thought provoking and thus
effective. I find this course so engrossing that I often do not see time fly by and suddenly I realize I have been
working on it for 3 hours! I also had hesitations about on-line courses in general, but now I am 'sold.'" – Course
Participant
"I think these units are terrific. I can't wait to incorporate these ideas into my already green classroom.” – Course
Participant
"I have never seen a course on Moodle as nice as this." - Course Participant
Copyright © 2012 GEF Institute. All Rights Reserved.
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8. Contact GEF Institute
www.gefinstitute.org
support@gefinstitute.org
Victoria Waters
President & CEO
vwaters@greeneducationfoundation.org
508-668-2278
Molly Hislop
Director, Programs and Marketing
mhislop@greeneducationfoundation.org
508-318-6618
Copyright © 2012 GEF Institute. All Rights Reserved.
www.gefinstitute.org