Green Schools Quest
Annual project-based, student-driven challenge
The Green Schools Quest (GSQ) is an annual project-based challenge to PreK-12 schools to devise and implement no/low cost sustainability projects at their school over a six month period of time with the help of a community volunteer who serves as a Green Mentor. Schools document their impact, such as energy savings or increased biodiversity, during the project and submit their project’s process and impact for judging by an impartial panel at the conclusion. Cash Awards and trophies are presented to winning teams in Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary, Middle and High School Divisions and five Spotlight Awards are presented across the age divisions.
Participate
Schools
To participate in the Green Schools Quest, your school must complete the online registration form. Registration opens annually in the Spring for the upcoming school year and closes on Sept 15. Each school forms a team of students to participate. This team can be a club, class, grade level, or the entire school.
Additionally, each school is required to have one faculty, staff, or parent from the school serve as their team’s sponsor. This sponsor works together with the Green Mentor and student team to identify, investigate, and implement the school’s selected project, and submit final results of their work at the conclusion in Mid-March.
Mentors
Green Mentors are volunteers from the Missouri Gateway Green Building Council and Missouri Environmental Education Association who have a passion for creating sustainable learning environments and working with schools. Mentors represent a broad range of professions and include architects, engineers, educators, community advocates, project managers, landscape architects, urban planners, sustainability coordinators, retired community members, and more. Green Mentors are paired with a school and commit 2-5 hours/month Oct-March providing guidance, resources, and encouragement as needed to assist students and their team sponsor as they plan and implement their chosen sustainability project.
Program Schedule
August 31 – Deadline for mentors to register
September 15 – Deadline for schools to register
October through March – Participating schools work with their Green Mentors to engage in six-month-long sustainability projects or monthly sustainability challenges
March 15 – Final Submissions Due
April – Winners announced at the Annual Green Schools Event
May – Awards presented
Awards
Cash awards and trophies are presented to winning teams in Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary, Middle School, and High School Categories. This year’s prize structure:
- High School Veteran ($400)
- High School Rookie ($400)
- Middle School Veteran ($400)
- Middle School Rookie($400)
- Upper Elementary Veteran ($400)
- Upper Elementary Rookie ($400)
- Lower Elementary Veteran ($400)
- Lower Elementary Rookie ($400)
Additionally, four Spotlight Awards are presented across the age divisions:
- Theme of the Year: Secondary ($200)
- Theme of the Year: Elementary School ($200)
- Community Impact ($200)
- Judges’ Choice ($200)
Projects & Impact
Schools have participated since the program launched in 2013.
Student-driven sustainability projects have been implemented and documented.
Students and staff have directly participated in GSQ projects.
2025-2026 Winning Projects
Lower Elementary Rookie – Stix ECC
Kindergarten, first, and second graders raised over $1,000 to fund a well in Kenya to provide clean water access! This exceeded their goal and they learned about water scarcity and equity in the process.
Upper Elementary Rookie – High Point R-III
High Point Elementary students took on a greenhouse initiative on their rural campus. Students plan, plant, nurture, and harvest their crops.They are also creating vital habitat spaces with native landscaping for pollinators to feed, lay eggs, and winter.
Middle School Rookie – Margaret Buerkle Middle School
The students of Margaret Buerkle Middle School started indoor tower gardening to produce fresh vegetables for families who did not have access to healthy foods. They took field trips to learn about tower gardening and then started growing and harvesting their fresh crops.
High School Rookie – Hazelwood Central High School
Hazelwood Central High School students designed a greenhouse for their school campus that will feed the WildCare Park of the St. Louis Zoo. Students and Zoo staff collaborated on both school and Zoo needs to ensure their work was sustainable and healthy.
Lower Elementary Veteran – Old Bonhomme
First graders discovered a drainage problem in their sensory garden, and moved from problem to solution as they started harvesting rain water with a 50-gallon rain barrel and 12 native species to reduce standing water during heavy rains.
Upper Elementary Veteran – City Garden Montessori
City Garden students and staff experienced the difficulty of a water main break that displaced them from their school. They took it as a learning opportunity, and studied water infrastructure and natural watersheds. Their Water Expo Night featured a student-led documentary highlighting data findings and stewardship solutions.
Middle School Veteran – Brittany Woods Middle School
Students at Brittany Woods Middle produced a city-wide informational campaign about stormwater management that was shared at City Hall meetings and throughout district communications. They reached over 2,000 homes at the time they submitted their project to the judges, but that impact continues to grow as their social media and video campaign launches this spring.
High School Veteran – Ladue Horton Watkins High School
Students at Ladue Horton Watkins High School sought to protect nearby Deer Creek and the Deer Creek Watershed. Their “no idling” campaign included data analysis, and they had more than 25% reduction in idling cars in just one month of their informational and action-oriented campaign.
2025-2026 Spotlight Awards
Theme of the Year, Secondary: Water, Truman Middle School
Truman Middle School! Students constructed a rain garden to naturally irrigate their existing school garden. They will also host a community event in May that features garden solutions for storm water like native plants, rain garden grant information, and student-led hands-on activities.
Theme of the Year, Elementary: Water, Conway Elementary
First graders studied storm drains and collected trash from the drains. They then created an educational campaign to be permanently displayed by the drains and around the school to prevent water pollution.
Judges' Choice: Claymont Elementary
The before school club took on two major sustainability initiatives. First, they provided their own produce for their cafeteria with indoor tower gardening. Second, they switched cafeteria utensils and plastic practices. This was such a successful Quest project that the entire district adopted those changes at all schools, making an unbelievable impact!
Community Impact: Harrisburg High School
Last year, a tornado ruined the Columbia Recycling Center for Boone County, but the students and staff refused to let that stop them from recycling. They started at the top and reduced their waste, and then they found new places to handle their recyclable materials.
GSQ Resources
A handful of key resources for the Green Schools Quest are highlighted here. Visit our Resources page to access the full library of resources that support the entire suite of Show-Me Green Schools programs.
GSQ Welcome Letter
Outlines noteworthy items for 2025-2026 and includes links to resources all on one page you can bookmark and keep handy.
2025-2026 Focus of the Year: Water
Each year, a particular theme is designated as the Focus of the Year. Themes are selected to reflect current issues both locally and globally. Schools have the option of following this particular focus to qualify for an additional award. Schools are not penalized if they do not pursue a project related to the Focus of the Year.
Examples of Past GSQ Projects
Project Idea Lists
Visit our Resource Folder to see project ideas. There are resources for projects related to the Focus of the Year as well as lists of projects that are free and require no resources.
Mentor Resources
Includes presentations on Mentor expectations, ways to be involved as a Mentor, and a Mentor checklist.
Evaluation Rubric
Final Submission Materials
View outline of all materials due March 15 here, including Final Submission Form, 5 minute max digital presentation, 1-2 page written report, self-assessment (optional, worth 5 points), and photo releases.
Photo Releases
A photo release must be submitted for every student that appears in the images included in the monthly submission forms. Two options are available: an Individual Photo Release Form to be signed by each student’s parent/guardian, or a Certificate of School Official Photo Release upon which a school official certifies that the school/district has secured and has on file all appropriate image release and permission agreements and consents from parents/guardians of school children who appear in images shared by the school.
Baseline Self-Assessment
This assessment takes about 30 minutes to complete and earns schools points in the judging process. The completed self-assessment may be emailed to info@showmegreenschools.org or directly uploaded into the final submission form. Schools do not have to submit every year to receive points on the rubric. Click here to see when your school submitted its Baseline Assessment. Schools who have submitted in 2023 and beyond will receive points on the rubric.
Rainbow of Sustainability
The Rainbow of Sustainability is a framework for integrating sustainability principles into students’ learning and Green Schools Quest projects. It includes seven sustainability principles: Importance of Place, Interconnectedness, Respect for Limits, Systems Thinking, Cycles, Social Justice, Global Citizenship. Green Schools Quest participants earn extra points for integrating at least two principles into their projects, as outlined in the evaluation rubric.
Whole School Sustainability Framework
The Whole School Sustainability Framework helps guide our work in researched best practices. Schools should familiarize themselves with the Framework and incorporate it into their projects. Green Schools Quest participants earn extra points for integrating the Framework into their final submission.
Show-Me Green Schools Partner Network
The Show-Me Green Schools Partner Network consists of nonprofit and for-profit organizations and programs that can help a school advance in one or more of the green schools pillars. Learn more about the Partner Network here! Access a searchable directory of partners and their services here. If you have resources to share, take our partner survey and become part of the Network.
Questions?
Check out our FAQs below. For additional questions, contact us.
Why participate in the Green Schools Quest?
- The Green Schools Quest’s structure, resources, community connections and friendly competition (including opportunities to win cash awards and trophies!) support student-driven sustainability action at local schools.
- Healthier, sustainable learning and teaching environments are created through collaborative work by students, teachers, and Mentors.
- Schools receive support and guidance from a Green Mentor and connect students to green building careers.
- School and Mentor participants connect with a network of fellow green schools champions to share resources, learn about best practices, and address challenges in undertaking school sustainability initiatives.
- Schools earn recognition for green schools work through an annual celebration and opportunities to win cash awards and trophies.
- Green Schools Quest projects promote environmental stewardship in our communities, improve learning and teaching environments, encourage students to think creatively about sustainability, conserve our natural resources which can result in lower school operating costs, energize sustainable curriculum in local school systems, and engage the community in helping students to green their schools.
What is the annual timeline of the Green Schools Quest?
- Spring: School and mentor registration opens.
- August 31: Mentor registration due.
- September 15: School registration due.
- October through mid-March: Participating schools work with their Green Mentors to plan and implement sustainability projects at their schools. Projects are intended to be no or low-cost and must be NEW initiatives or major expansions of existing initiatives.
- March 15: Final Submission materials due. Submissions are then reviewed by a panel of judges and Division (elementary, middle, high) and Spotlight Award winners are determined.
- April: Winners are announced at the Annual Green Schools Event.
- May: Awards are presented to winning schools.
What schools participate in the Green Schools Quest?
- The Green Schools Quest is open to all PreK-12 schools within the state of Missouri and portions of Southern Illinois (within the Missouri Gateway Green Building Council’s territory.) Interested schools must register to participate by the annual deadline of Sept 15.
- Schools can participate no matter where they are on their sustainability journey, whether they are just getting started or already have green initiatives in place.
- Click here to view a map of past school participants.
Who are the Green Schools Quest mentors?
- Green Schools Quest Mentors (Green Mentors) are volunteers from the Missouri Gateway Green Building Council and Missouri Environmental Education Association that have sustainability expertise. Schools are matched with Green Mentors to help them identify, investigate, and implement a no- to low-cost sustainability project.
- Mentors represent a broad range of professions and include architects, engineers, educators, conservation professionals, project managers, landscape architects, urban planners, sustainability coordinators, retired community members, and more.
What are the Green Mentor responsibilities?
- Mentors should have a passion for creating sustainable learning environments and working with schools.
- Fill out the Mentor Registration Form (Opens in Spring and closes Aug 31 each year.)
- Participate in a Green Schools Quest Orientation.
- Commit 2-5 hours of working with your assigned school each month from October through March. Green Mentors interact and communicate with schools by phone, email, video conferencing, and in-person meetings (as health and safety guidelines allow.)
- Provide guidance, resources, and encouragement as needed to assist students and their team sponsor as they plan and implement their chosen sustainability project.
- Participate in Mentor Meet-Ups and Connect on the Quest activities if available.
- Assist with documentation and preparation of final submission.
- Attend the Annual Green Schools Event if available.
- Submit two quick, online progress surveys.
- Be an active member of Missouri Gateway Green Building Council and/or Missouri Environmental Education Association.
How do I become a Green Mentor?
- Complete the Mentor Registration Form. Once we receive your registration form, our staff will follow-up with additional details and to confirm your participation. Before applying, please review the Green Mentor responsibilities above.
What is included in the final submission for the Green Schools Quest?
- Green Schools Quest participating schools submit a Final Submission that includes the elements outlined here.
- These materials will help us celebrate and highlight your school’s accomplishments at the Annual Green Schools Event, and to determine award winners.
What awards are presented, and how are they determined?
- Cash awards and trophies are presented to winning teams in Elementary, Middle School, and High School Categories.
- High School Veteran ($400)
- High School Rookie ($400)
- Middle School Veteran ($400)
- Middle School Rookie($400)
- Elementary Veteran ($400)
- Elementary Rookie ($400)
Additionally, five Spotlight Awards are presented across the age divisions:
- Theme of the Year: Elementary ($200)
- Theme of the Year: Secondary ($200)
- Community Impact ($200)
- Judges’ Choice ($200)
Winners are determined by a panel of judges using this evaluation rubric.
What is the Rainbow of Sustainability?
- The Rainbow of Sustainability is a framework for integrating sustainability principles into students’ learning and Green Schools Quest projects.
- The Rainbow of Sustainability includes seven sustainability principles: Importance of Place, Interconnectedness, Respect for Limits, Systems Thinking, Cycles, Social Justice, Global Citizenship.
- Green Schools Quest participants earn extra points for integrating at least two principles into their projects, as outlined in the evaluation rubric!
- Click here for more information on the Rainbow of Sustainability.
What is the Whole School Sustainability Framework?
- The Whole School Sustainability Framework guides our work with best practices rooted in research.
- Schools should familiarize themselves with the Framework and incorporate it into their projects.
- Green Schools Quest participants earn extra points for integrating the Framework into their final submission, as outlined in the evaluation rubric!
- Click here for more information on the Whole School Sustainability Framework.