Green Building Course
GEF Institute's Green Building Course introduces students to the key principles of green building and the five components of green building that include energy, water, sustainable sites, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality. The full year progarm includes all 8 of the Institute's green building units, listed below. The program includes all materials and resources for the capstone project. The capstone project involves a school-wide audit in which students make recommendations for effective changes necessary to upgrade interiors, energy and water systems, and site and landscapes to accommodate for green efficiencies. Students will be instructed to prioritize areas for enhanced efficiencies and recommend improvements based upon the greatest need/ROI. Available topics cover a breadth of important sustainability concepts that are sure to inspire students. Courses are delivered in digital format and include the materials listed here.
$ 500 per student for a full year license 
$27.97 for 1 year student license - k
$ 35.97 for 6 year student license*
*Minimum purchase of 20 students required.
Green Building Full Year Program Course Outline
Introduction to Sustainability and Green Building
Students are introduced to the key principles of green building, including current standards and considerations for regional factors. They are also introduced to the five components of green building that include energy, water, sustainable sites, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality. The hands-on audit provides students with an opportunity to gather basic information about their school building and grounds to prepare them to do more in-depth audits related to energy, water, and more. Download the Lesson Table of Contents.
Energy and the Built Environment
Students examine how our energy sources are captured, transported, and converted for use as fuel. Students learn how patterns of energy use have changed over time, why our current level of consumption is unsustainable, and about the choices individuals can make to reduce their own personal energy use. The hands-on audit invites students to assess their school’s energy use and consumption by examining the HVAC system, lighting, office equipment, and other energy-consuming systems and devices. Students study their school’s energy bills, interview facilities staff, and discuss current energy management policies. Download the Lesson Table of Contents.
Water and the Built Environment
Students learn about the key issues related to water use and consumption, including pollution, competition, overuse, and waste. They also learn how conservation and resource protection can address these issues. Finally, they examine strategies, technologies, and policies that help achieve more sustainable water use and consumption. The hands-on audit asks students to evaluate their school’s water use and consumption by inventorying all of the indoor water fixtures. They calculate how much water their school would use if each fixture was used once (e.g., toilet flush) or was run for one minute (e.g., faucet, dishwasher), and then predict actual water use. They compare their predictions to the school’s water bills, and bring these ideas home in a household water audit. Download the Lesson Table of Contents.
Indoor Environmental Quality
Students explore issues related to indoor environmental quality in buildings. They examine the areas of air quality, acoustics, and lighting and learn why buildings can become “sick.” Then, they learn how buildings breathe and what sustainable strategies, technologies, and policies exist for improving indoor environmental quality. The hands-on audit invites students to assess the school’s indoor air, light, and sound quality. They start first with their own classroom, and then apply their process to evaluate large communal areas around the school. Download the Lesson Table of Contents.
Materials and Resources
Students learn about the solid waste stream, including its major sources and disposal methods. They explore how the four Rs (rethink, reduce, reuse, recycle) can help achieve a more sustainable society, including the practices for managing materials and resources in buildings from design to retrofit. The hands-on audit gives students the tools to assess the school’s solid waste stream by auditing their own personal trash generation. They also examine the impact of building materials choices by auditing the resources used to maintain the materials in their building and discussing the economic, environmental, and health impacts. Download the Lesson Table of Contents.
Sustainable Sites and Land Use
Students study how patterns of land use have changed over time and the ways in which present-day land use are not sustainable. They learn about options for green building site use and selection, and how site and landscape design can maximize natural benefits. Finally, they examine the ways in which sustainable sites safeguard the surrounding environment, conserve resources, and promote healthy living and working spaces. The hands-on audit brings students outdoors to photograph key areas of their school site. They study various aspects of the site (i.e. amount of impervious surface) to make recommendations to improve stormwater management, transportation policies, passive heating and cooling capabilities, and more. Download the Lesson Table of Contents.
Building Science
Students are introduced to the core principles of building science. Building science is a systems-based approach to construction that examines the building as a system of parts and materials that interact with one another, its occupants, and the environment in profound ways. Students learn about the building as shelters, designed to protect occupants through the design and construction of performance-based building envelopes. Students are also introduced to key energy measurements, and perform a home energy audit to synthesize and apply key understandings from the unit. Download the Lesson Table of Contents.
Present and Future of Green Building
Students explore the wide range of resources, tools, and trends that reflect the latest approaches to green building. Students examine current and emerging job opportunities, and develop an understanding of the commitment to continuous learning that is required of industry professionals. They also learn about key trends in building design and construction, such as the application of biomimicry, net-zero buildings, and building in high risk zones. Finally, they place green building in a broader sustainability context by completing a home and community design project that maximizes the sustainability and green building concepts they have learned in the course. Download the Lesson Table of Contents.