Greening STEM Projects
Hands-on environmental investigations that make STEM relevant and connected to students’ lives
making STEM learning local
NEEF’s Greening STEM projects engage students in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) activities to explore real-world challenges outside of the classroom. By establishing partnerships and guiding collaboration with local school districts, community groups, land management agencies, and funders, NEEF helps provide educators with the resources they need to give all students a meaningful learning experience.
89%
of schools served by Greening STEM grants receive Title I funds
Successful Greening STEM Projects
Greening STEM projects provide authentic learning experiences that deepen learning while reinforcing a sense of belonging and pride in the local environment.

Students from Central High School in Grand Junction, Colorado, discovered the rugged beauty in their backyard while collecting scientific data and learning about the impact of invasive species. NEEF partnered with the Bureau of Land Management and the Colorado Canyon Association to give these students an unforgettable experience.

Students from Benjamin Franklin Middle School (BFMS) in Teaneck, New Jersey, learned about the local watershed through hands-on water quality monitoring and biomonitoring studies in a nearby river. NEEF partnered with Teaneck Creek Conservancy, Samsung, and BFMS to help students make important connections between the health of the river and the community.
GREENING STEM PROJECTS AROUND THE COUNTRY
Greening STEM projects bring STEM learning about the environment to life on public lands of all sizes, from creeks and canyons to prairies and mountains. NEEF helps guide collaboration between community partners to develop and implement educational experiences that promote environmental stewardship for students from diverse backgrounds.
To learn more about NEEF’s Greening STEM projects throughout the country, visit our interactive StoryMap below.


Greening STEM Project Gives Students Hands-On Outdoor Experience
Seventh grade students from Bettendorf Middle School in the Quad Cities are spending two weeks restoring and learning about this valuable ecosystem as part of a Greening STEM project supported by the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) and Arconic Foundation.
Partner Success Stories
Bayer Fund Supports Expansion of Greening STEM Projects
Thanks to generous support from Bayer Fund, NEEF announced it will move forward with Phase II of its Greening...
The Lost Carnivores: Using Greening STEM to Connect Students with Local Public Lands
Saguaro National Park is known for its towering cacti that dot the landscape and its awe-inspiring sunsets...
NEEF Announces Awardees for 2022-2023 Forest Service Greening STEM Grant
The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) is proud to announce the awardees of the 2022-2023...
Learn more About Greening STEM
Greening STEM Hub
What is Greening STEM? Learn the approach, who is involved, and find resources to get started.
Greening STEM Success Stories You Can Adapt for Use in Your Classroom
Among the many challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the few bright spots is that Americans have...
Greening STEM and Inquiry-Based Education
A conversation with Terrence Williams, Principal at Benjamin Franklin Middle School in Teaneck, New Jersey...