This post isn't really about something to do with your children (although they can tour the LEED Platinum certified building here) but more about the free programming offered at the Chicago Center for Green Technology (CCGT) that could be beneficial for your family. The CCGT is located at 445 N. Sacramento, right by the Garfield Park Conservatory and offers an extensive catalog of courses for adults on the environment, conservation, and sustainability. Some of the classes are definitely more technical than others but CCGT also offers some really great seminars for home owners and gardeners. For example this semester some of the courses include "Safe and Effective City Biking", "Sustainable Backyard Workshop", "Indoor Composting", "Renewable Energy Options for Homeowners", and "Greening a Renter's Lifestyle", just to name of few. Most of the classes are free and are offered on Tuesdays or Thursdays from 6:00 - 8:00 PM or on Saturdays either from 10:00 - 12:00 AM or 1:00-3:00 PM. I have found that the courses are taught by knowledgeable people in the industry, doing work directly related to the course topic.
If you are a professional working in a related industry the CCGT also offers continuing education credits and program certificates. There are six different areas in which you can earn a certificate from the CCGT (architecture, building and construction management, engineering, green business, green home and garden, and interior design) and the program schedule is color coded to show which courses are applicable to each area. In order to earn a certificate, you must first fill our a very brief enrollment form on the website and then you have 12 months to attend six seminars that are related to the subject area you selected. Anyone pursuing a certificate, regardless of subject matter, must attend the course titled "Ecology of Design Part 1: Concept". I think this course is offered every semester.
This semester, the CCGT is also offering what they call a Green DIY Series. They are partnering with Green Depot, Rebuilding Exchange, and Neighborhood Housing Services to offer workshops mostly related to renovating your home or doing home repairs but also offer a couple of classes on wood working and hand tools. Most of these courses are also free and are either at the CCGT or one of their partners listed previously.
Information on the individual courses can be found on the CCGT website: www.chicagogreentech.org. You must register for each course you attend but registration is super easy to do at the website. Some of the courses do fill up quickly so if there is something you really want to attend you should sign up right away. There is a small parking lot available in front of the building and then a larger one in the back. You can enter the building either from the front or the back and then you must sign in at the front desk. Classes are usually held in one of the classrooms upstairs. There are bathrooms located right by the classrooms.
I have really enjoyed the courses that I have taken. I found them to be quite informative with great instructors. I spend so much time worrying about what classes my kids should be taking that sometimes it is nice for me to learn something new too.
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