Imagine building a school and then just giving it away. The Green Schoolhouse Series is an initiative to build as many as 24 new schools around the US, solely through corporate funding, donated materials from top companies in the building industry, and volunteer labor from teams of architects, general contractors and engineers. The program is estimated to be worth more than $200 million.

Architects, general contractors and SMART are eager to join in the initiative to transform public schools in the US. The Green Schoolhouse Series builds take place on existing Title 1, low-income public school campuses, with projects ranging from 6,000 to 15,000 sq ft.

The first of the Green Schoolhouse Series projects are planned in Phoenix, Arizona, and then will take place in San Diego, Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas and other major U.S. cities. Leading up to the build, teams of architects, engineers and contractors (AEC) in each market meet with local school officials, teachers and students for design charrettes, and participate in groundbreaking and dedication ceremonies. As a Flagship Building Partner, SMART is donating SMART products to new Green Schoolhouses in Phoenix, San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

The group hopes to promote sustainability, the importance of education and the message that corporate America and the AEC community is here to help. The initiative achieves this through the collaboration with their nonprofit partner Brighten A Life. Together, the initiative will ensure that the school is maintained and can best utilize the sustainable technology that the new buildings feature.

To be considered for a future schoolhouse, school districts submit a grant application process led by the program’s advisory board and its nonprofit partner Brighten A Life. Each schoolhouse features a different design dream team and showcases top-of-the-line building products (all donated) such as photovoltaic rooftop panels, energy efficient HVAC systems and rainwater harvesting capabilities. The schools also feature 21st century learning classrooms with SMART Board interactive whiteboards, SMART Response interactive response systems, SMART Audio classroom amplification systems, computers, furniture and even kitchen equipment.

Visit the Green Schoolhouse Series website to learn more.