Go Green with Gunston

About the Program

Category: County Resiliency (Best in Category)

Year: 2010

“Go Green with Gunston” launched in October 2009 as a partnership between the Fairfax County Office for Children and George Mason University. The program teaches fun lessons about the Earth and energy conservation to K-3rd grade students in the Office for Children’s School Age Child Care Program. The project involves two actor/educators who visit a different SACC center each Monday during the school year. One of the actors wears a mascot-like costume and is called “Gunston,” named after Gunston Hall, the home of the US Bill of Rights co-creator George Mason. Gunston and its human partner engage children in songs, activities, and games about “going green” and using the Earth’s resources wisely. Before the actor/educators visit each SACC center, the children participate in “going green” activities conducted by SACC teachers. The activities inform children about how energy is used and how it can be saved, and on renewable and non-renewable energy sources. Children are invited to visit the “Go Green with Gunston” website, which reinforces the lessons taught in the program, www.gogreenwithgunston.gmu.edu.