Bentley Prince Street, Inc, a commercial carpet manufacturer committed to green design and sustainability, recently selected three teacher-designed projects promoting environmental awareness to receive $1,000 grants. Johnny Kung, Jen Buckler and Cheryl Peale, three Bentley Prince Street Associates, helped the Interface Environmental Foundation identify three teachers whose creative projects will teach future generations about sustainability. These three projects, which focus in on important subjects like green design, ecology and renewable energy, will positively impact the lives of kindergarten, 6th grade and college level students.

"Environmental and social sustainability is at the center of every decision we make," says Anthony Minite, president of Bentley Prince Street. "There is nothing that gives me more pleasure than to identify teachers who operate under that same principle and inspire students to also think and live sustainably."

Every year more and more schools are faced with budget cuts, making grants like these increasingly valuable for teachers. The three $1,000 grants will go toward the books and supplies needed to make the projects successful.

Johnny Kung endorsed a grant for Denise Bertoncino's "Understanding Green" project, which will help students at Pittsburg State University explore current issues in green design and sustainability. Mrs. Maynard-McCormack's "Natural Wonders" project was identified by Jen Buckler and will teach kindergarteners about lady bug and butterfly life cycles, unique plants and more, through interactive exercises like a writer's workshop. Finally, Cheryl Peale recommended Leah Jenner's "Exploring the Biofuel Path to Sustainability" project, where 6th graders will learn about sustainable alternative energy sources by participating in a three-phase project.

The three $1,000 grants endorsed by Bentley Prince Street associates are funded by Interface Environmental Foundation's annual grant program. Each year Interface awards up to 15 grants for teacher designed projects around the world with an environmental focus. The Interface Environmental Foundation relies on its subsidiary companies' associates to help in identifying teachers committed to preserving the earth for future generations. With the help of Johnny Kung, Jen Buckler and Cheryl Peale, Interface gifted the most recent round of grants totaling $15,000 in the fall of 2010.

To read more about the three projects, visit Bentley Prince Street's Designing for Life blog bpscarpet.blogspot.com/.