BOSTON - A Vermont organization that educates students about climate science was awarded $91,000 by the E.P.A. to better prepare youth for the challenges of climate change.
The Vermont Energy Education Plan in Montpelier received the backing for its Vermont Climate Change & Education Project, which educates elementary and high school students and teachers throughout the state on climate change and climate science.
The Plan was one of 7 New England groups awarded a total of $533,000 for programs that educate the community about climate change and other environmental issues. The organizations selected from Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut and Maine were among nearly 4 dozen organizations in New England to apply for funding.
"These organizations are doing just the kind of work that is so important for the future of New England's environment," said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA's New England office. "Projects that introduce youth, educators and communities to the problems and the possibilities of environmental protection and climate adaptation are bound to help us build a stronger, healthier world."
"This grant from the E.P.A. is allowing VEEP to bring climate change curriculum and in-class workshops into Vermont schools in a much more comprehensive way than we would have been able to do without the grant," said Cara Robecheck, executive director of the Vermont Energy Education Program. "We are already working with 14 teachers on climate change curriculum and have had many requests to bring our new modeling climate change workshop to classrooms. We are recognized to have this support from the US EPA. "
Through the Vermont Energy Education Program, at least 75 middle and high school classes will get 90-minute Next Generation Science Requirements workshops on using hands-on science and modeling activities. The plan will also work with at least 20 teachers with the goal of helping at least 400 students' think critically about energy use and climate change. The final goals are to enhance action and stewardship to reduce the climate impact of the school community and to provide project-based learning and service learning opportunities related to energy and climate mitigation.
EPA's Environmental Education grants encourage plans that educate members of a community through community-based organizations, or through print, film, broadcast, or other media to be more environmentally aware and make environmentally friendly decisions in their day-to-day lives. E.P.A. funds environmental education plans that focus on educating teachers, students, parents or the general public about human health problems. These issues range from pollution; improving teaching tools and techniques for educators through workshops; building state or local capability to develop and deliver environmental education or public outreach programs; or promoting environmental careers and stewardship among students through hands-on activities.
Other New England organizations selected by E.P.A. for grants under this Plan include: the New Haven Ecology Plan in New Haven, Conn.; the President & Trustees of Bates College in Lewiston, Maine; Greenagers, Incorporated in Great Barrington, Mass.; "e" Incorporated of Boston; the New England Environmental Alliance of Devens, Mass.; and Massachusetts Aububon Society of Lincoln, Massachusetts
More information:
E.P.A. Environmental Education grants http://www2.epa.gov/education . This location will have information on the 2016 Environmental Education Grant Solicitation Notice, which is expected to be released early in 2016.
