Our Commitment to Environmental Sustainability
National STEM Honor Society™ is deeply committed to environmental stewardship as a core organizational value. We believe sustainability is not only essential to operational excellence but also a fundamental part of our educational mission. By embedding responsible practices into our daily operations and programs, we model the values we teach and inspire students, advisors, and partners to take meaningful action for the planet.
Here is how we put that commitment into practice:
1% for the Planet Commitment
We proudly donate 1% of our gross annual income to environmental organizations. A significant portion of these funds supports our ongoing partnership with Seaside Sustainability, helping advance real-world coastal protection and marine debris initiatives.
Innovation Project Hub – Environment & Sustainability
We maintain a dedicated Innovation Project Hub where chapters and students can explore, share, and collaborate on projects specifically focused on environmental challenges and sustainable solutions. This hub serves as a dynamic space for creative STEM ideas that address climate, pollution, and conservation.
Resource Library
Our Resource Library is regularly updated with exclusive, high-quality materials on environmental topics and sustainable practices. These resources are available to all chapter members and advisors, providing practical tools and up-to-date information to support learning and project development.
Sustainable Merchandise
Our online store is intentionally limited in scope and features several items made from sustainable materials. Every product is chosen to align with our environmental values while minimizing waste and ecological impact.
Alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
National STEM Honor Society actively aligns its programs, projects, and educational initiatives with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We place special emphasis on SDG 13: Climate Action, SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, and SDG 4: Quality Education. Through our Innovation Project Hub, Resource Library, and Project-Based Learning (PBL) framework, we guide students to connect their STEM work to these global goals. Students are encouraged to develop projects that address real issues such as reducing plastic pollution, advancing clean energy solutions, promoting responsible consumption, and building climate resilience in their local communities. Outstanding projects that demonstrate meaningful contributions to environmental stewardship are eligible for our Environmental Sustainability Commitment Certificate. This alignment helps students understand how their local actions contribute to global change and prepares them to become the next generation of sustainability leaders.
Paperless Operations
We operate almost entirely digitally, eliminating unnecessary paper use across internal communications, reporting, chapter resources, and administrative processes. When paper or cardstock is required, it is 100% made in the USA and certified by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI).
Green Website & Operations
Our website is hosted by Green Geeks, a company committed to renewable energy and carbon offsetting. We also partner with a local web developer (smallfish design) that shares our sustainability values. In our main office, we use 100% green cleaning products to further reduce our environmental footprint.
Sustainable Purchasing & Waste Reduction
We follow a formal sustainable purchasing policy that prioritizes goods and services with the lowest social and environmental impact. Across all departments, we actively implement minimal-waste strategies, including recycling, composting, and conscious consumption at every level of the organization.
Student Recognition – Environmental Sustainability Commitment Certificate
Students whose Project-Based Learning (PBL) projects make a tangible contribution to environmental stewardship or sustainable practices in their communities can earn our Environmental Sustainability Commitment Certificate. This recognition celebrates student work that directly supports a healthier planet and reinforces the real-world impact of their STEM efforts.
Green Scholars Collaboration with Seaside Sustainability
We partner with Seaside Sustainability’s Green Scholars program, providing students access to an extensive library of sustainability-focused projects. These high-impact projects cover a wide range of environmental topics, including marine debris, plastic pollution, coastal restoration, and citizen science. Through this collaboration, National STEM Honor Society students can engage in meaningful, real-world sustainability work while earning recognition for their contributions.
Carbon Offsets for Operations & AI Usage
National STEM Honor Society offsets 100% of the carbon emissions generated by our office operations and AI tool usage. By calculating and neutralizing our digital and operational footprint through verified carbon offset projects, we ensure that our commitment to sustainability extends to the technology we use every day to support students and chapters worldwide.
Virtual-First Culture
We fully embrace a virtual workforce model. By encouraging remote work for our local, regional, and international team members, we significantly reduce commuting-related emissions and the need for large physical office spaces.
