We hear a lot about schools going green by getting their buildings LEED-certified, planting school gardens, or even going tray-less in the cafeteria. But where do educators and students around the world find new ideas for keeping their classrooms eco-friendly? According to a survey conducted in the UK, the answer may lie in the same place we seem to find everything else these days: the Internet. The results indicate that nearly half the teachers in Wales believe that “blogging and social networking can help pupils learn about the environment.” The survey itself comes as part of a nationwide effort designed to educate students about the environment and make a positive green impact leading up to the 2012 Olympics in London.

The program features a unique website called the Pod, which provides information and activities for students and teachers to complete in their quest for eco-enlightenment. Participants blog about their progress with projects that include regularly shutting off the lights and riding a bike to school. They can earn different medals based on how much work they put into their project and their blog. Overall, it looks like a specially tailored information hub where the youth can connect and learn from each other.

So does a site like the Pod make sense for schools looking to go green? Sure, students and teachers can start their own blogs and take the time to connect with other like-minded individuals via targeted searches, but central sites pre-designed for the needs of eco-minded schools save you time and effort in finding what you need. Obviously no one on the Pod is going to be a licensed expert on sustainable schools, but central online information hubs provide a valuable place to see what other institutions are doing and to gain motivation for making your own school even greener. So whether your school sits in a well-connected metro area or in an isolated village, online communities provide a 24/7 source of fresh ideas that can help you reduce your ecological footprint without having to spring for a LEED-certified science building.

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