K-12 school administrators, teachers, board members, facilities managers, and other school community members are meeting in Pasadena next week for an innovative three-day conference on green schools in California. The conference, the Green California Schools Summit, reflects the Golden State’s leadership in sustainable K-12 school buildings and programs. The conference will be held at the Pasedena Conference Center on December 4-6.

According to the conference website, “This groundbreaking event will focus on the strategies, technologies, and services that will ensure that new and existing public schools are models of sustainability and provide a healthy learning environment for students.”

There are a plethora of breakout sessions, focusing on several strands, including design and construction, financing options, operations, and creating a “green” culture. Along with the sessions, keynote speakers include actor/activist Ed Begley, Jr., scientist/inventor/entertainer Bill Nye, and activists Laurie David and Cambria Gordon, who recently authored the children’s book on global warming, The Down-to-Earth Guide to Global Warming. There is also a sold-out exhibit hall featuring over 150 products and services to make your school more green and a model green school demonstration building, which was built by Bouma Construction.

I’ll be interviewing Mike Hall, chief marketing officer for Borrego Solar Systems, Inc, a company that’s worked extensively with California schools on implementing solar power into their energy systems. Hall’s participating in a panel at the summit on building and financing solar power systems in schools.

If you’re a member of a California school community, are a school official, or a green teacher, you might want to visit the conference next week (although it is a little pricey if you are footing the bill yourself). You can check out registration information here or call 323-936-7125.

[This post was written by Kelli Best-Oliver]