Green School Dreamers: Design a Greener School Campus
Green School Dreamers is a free school campus sustainability project for ages 6-15 on Class2Class. Over about four weeks, students find environmental problems at their school, research greener features and build a recycled-material model of their dream eco-school, then compare designs with a partner class abroad.
Last updated
What students do in this school campus sustainability project
In Green School Dreamers, students become eco-architects for their own school. They spot environmental problems in its buildings and grounds, research greener features, then build a 3D model of their dream eco-school from recycled materials. A partner class abroad does the same, and the two classes compare designs.
Swipe horizontally to see all columns
| Project detail | What the project idea lists |
|---|---|
| Ages | 6-8, 9-12 and 13-15 |
| Duration | 4 weeks, about 2 hours a week |
| Language | English for collaboration; idea also in Spanish and Danish |
| Global goal | SDG 13, Climate Action |
| Student output | A recycled-material 3D model of a greener school |
| Starter resources | Icebreaker guide, brainstorming video, Spanish animated video on caring for the environment |
| Cost | Free for teachers and students |
Timing: the project fits International Mother Earth Day on 22 April, but it works at any point in the school year.
Campus sustainability project ideas students can design
Each group chooses one problem they can see at school and designs a model feature that tackles it. Four starting prompts:
- Energy: where are lights left on, or rooms too hot or cold? Try shading, skylights or solar panels.
- Water: where is water wasted? Try rainwater barrels, drip-free taps or a planted area that soaks up rain.
- Waste: what fills the bins after lunch? Try sorting stations, a compost corner or a reuse shelf.
- Green space and shade: which outdoor areas are bare, hot or unused? Try trees, a vegetable bed or a planted quiet corner.
Younger students can model one feature each. Older students can compare two solutions and explain on a label why they chose the more practical one.
To have students measure something instead, such as food waste or energy use, see our guide to sustainability projects for school.
Four weeks of sustainability activities for students
The project idea supplies the goal, learning outcomes and starter resources; you set the weekly plan when you create your project. A suggested outline:
- Week 1, meet and look around: introduce the two classes, then walk the school and note problems.
- Week 2, research and brainstorm: explore green building features and give each group one problem.
- Week 3, build: make the model from clean recycled materials and label what each feature solves.
- Week 4, share and compare: post photos of the models on the project Board, following your school's photo permissions, and discuss why the classes' solutions differ.
How to start Green School Dreamers on Class2Class
- Open the Green School Dreamers project idea and select Create Project. You will be asked to log in or create a free teacher account.
- Adjust the title, description, student ages, duration and starting month to fit your class.
- Invite a partner: share the project link with a teacher you know, or search for one by country, student age, language or SDG interest.
- Collaborate on the project Board at your own pace. Live video calls are optional.
- When you finish, mark the project as complete for review. You and your students then receive Class2Class certificates.
For action in the local community rather than a school redesign, see EarthSolvers.
Frequently asked questions
Can I invite a teacher I already know?
Yes. After you create your project, share its link with a colleague or invite a teacher you are connected with on Class2Class. You can also search for a new partner by country, student age, language or SDG interest.
What if I am new to Class2Class?
Create a free teacher account and add your subjects, student ages and interests to your profile. Then open the Green School Dreamers idea and select Create Project to adapt it for your class.
Is it really free to use?
Yes. Class2Class does not charge teachers or students, and there is no paid tier for them.
What age group is this project for?
The project idea lists three age groups: 6-8, 9-12 and 13-15. Younger groups can model one feature each; older groups can compare solutions and explain their choice.
How long does the project take?
The idea is planned for 4 weeks at about 2 hours a week. You can change the duration when you create your own project.
What if my students are not very fluent in English?
The idea lists English as the collaboration language and is also available in Spanish and Danish. Live video calls are not required, because a Class2Class project can be completed entirely asynchronously.
