Thursday, October 1, 2026
For the second year in a row, many of Long Island’s secondary school teachers took to the classroom as students in an innovative program presented by Molloy College, the National Grid Foundation Teaching Green Institute. The program is designed to train secondary teachers in environmental issues and to provide suggestions on incorporating environmentally focused curricula into their classrooms.
Molloy utilized its Sustainability Institute staff as guest lecturers to supplement professors for the Teaching Green Institute. The instructors focused on such topics as global warming and its local challenges, clean energy solutions on Long Island and reducing toxins in your daily environment.
“Today’s students need to understand the many environmental issues they will face in their lifetimes, and we are preparing teachers who can communicate this important information,” said Dr. Drew Bogner, president of Molloy College. “We are pleased to be able to, once again, partner with the National Grid Foundation on such an important project.”
Following last year’s successful inaugural program – which trained 36 teachers – this year’s expanded program included 46 teachers, with a significant number from school districts in underserved communities. The participants will be able to teach sustainability concepts and practices to approximately 20,000 students during the next five years.
The training program included making solar cookers, looking under the hood of a hybrid car and visiting an organic farm.
“Through your teaching and example, some students will seek careers that develop green technologies and address environmental issues directly,” said Bob Catell, a board member of the National Grid Foundation, as he addressed participants in this year’s institute. “And, many others will be prepared to think responsibly about their connection to the environment and how they impact it.”
