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Introduction
What is Environmental Education?
Since the establishment of EPA, environmental education (EE) has helped
the people of the United States to reach a new understanding. Today, more
Americans than ever before understand that to ensure a good quality of life for
ourselves and our children, we must act as responsible stewards of our air,
water, and land. Environmental education has helped this nation to harness
the creativity, imagination, and tenacity of Americans from all walks of life
and to put that creativity to work in the service of public health and our
environment.
Environmental education enhances critical thinking, problem-solving, and
effective decision-making skills, and teaches individuals to weigh various
sides of an environmental issue to make informed and responsible decisions.
Environmental education does not advocate a particular viewpoint or course
of action.
The components of environmental education are:
1. Awareness and sensitivity to the environment and environmental
challenges.
2. Knowledge and understanding of the environment and environmental
challenges.
3. Attitudes of concern for the environment and motivation to improve or
maintain environmental quality.
4. Skills to identify and help resolve environmental challenges.
5. Participation in activities that lead to the resolution of environmental
challenges (UNESCO, 1978)
Although our nation has made tremendous progress in protecting our
environment, much more remains to be done. According to Roper Starch
Worldwide and the National EE and Training Foundation, two out of three
adult Americans fail a simple multiple choice quiz testing knowledge about
basic environmental principles like the main causes of water pollution and the
difference between ozone depletion and global warming. If we are to meet the
challenges of the next thirty years, we must deepen environmental awareness
among all Americans by involving many more people in protecting the health
of the world we live in.
Environmental education improves our everyday lives by:
• Protecting Human Health
• Advancing Quality Education
• Encouraging Careers in the Environmental Field
• Promoting Sustainable Development
• Encouraging Stewardship of Natural Resources
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EPA's Role in Environmental Education
The National Environmental Education Act of 1990 charged EPA with the
responsibility for coordinating federal environmental education initiatives and
for providing leadership to the public and private sectors. The Act also
mandated the creation of an Office of Environmental Education within EPA
and the operation of a number of environmental education programs and
projects. The mission of the Office of Environmental Education is to advance
and support education efforts that develop an environmentally literate and
responsible public. The goal is to ensure that environmental education (EE) is
a recognized and appropriately utilized tool for protecting human health and
the environment with the following objectives; to increase the quality and
quantity of EE for school children and adults, to increase the quality and
quantity of EE by linking EE and education reform, to ensure long-term
effectiveness and sustainability of EE programs by supporting state capacity
building, to catalyze EE research that assesses effectiveness in environmental
protection and educational improvement, to effectively communicate and
demonstrate what EE is and why it's relevant to our lives, and to improve the
quality, access, and coordination of EE information, resources, and programs.
In order to fulfill its goals, The National Environmental Education Act
established several primary programs and partnerships including the
Environmental Education Grants Program. Environmental Education Grants
are awarded by EPA to promote excellence and innovation in environmental
education at the grassroots level. Each year, universities, schools, not-for-
profit organizations, and state, local, and tribal agencies across the nation
receive approximately three million dollars to support local initiatives. Any
local or tribal education agency, state education or environmental agency,
college or university, not-for-profit organization, or non-commercial
education broadcasting entity may submit a proposal.
The Grant Selection Process
Region 10 includes the states of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.
EPA funds proposals which meet the following specific criteria: are new or
significantly improved, have the potential for wide application, address a high
priority environmental issue; and reach key audiences such as low income and
culturally diverse populations by addressing one or more of EPA's priorities.
All proposals undergo an initial and final review process. After the internal
review, the top applications are sent out for external review by experts in the
field. The final regional selection process takes place at the EPA Region 10
Office in Seattle, Washington. EPA makes its final grant selection after
proposals have been evaluated and scored by reviewers and takes the
following criterial into consideration: the effectiveness of collaborative
activities and partnerships, the environmental and educational importance of
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• nf w>g\f§ • | f*+ \f\W\ ^e ac^v^y or product, the effectiveness of the delivery mechanism (i.e.
workshop, conference, etc.), the cost effectiveness of the proposal, and the
geographic distributions of projects.
Nationally, approximately 250 environmental education grants are awarded
each year, with much of the funding directed into small grants of $5,000 each.
Each of the ten regional offices award between $150,000 and $200,000 per
year. The environmental education grants provided by EPA ensure that a
large number of organizations receive seed-money to implement projects
which close gaps in environmental education.
About this Booklet
This booklet summarizes success stories that have resulted from Region 10
EPA Environmental Education grants implemented in the fiscal years 1996 to
1998. All completed projects have been included. The goals of this booklet
are to link similar projects and programs, reduce duplication, improve the
quality of future projects, and provide lessons learned from completed
projects.
Thank you to EuhHee Kim, a volunteer to EPA, Rose Jean-Paul, former
Office Manager for External Affairs, and EPA Region 10's Graphic Office for
their work on designing the format and compiling and preparing the
information for this grant booklet.
The booklet is organized by state and within each section the completed
grants for fiscal years (1996 thru 1998) are listed in alphabetical order by the
title of the project. Where information was available, each project write-up
includes the following sections:
Grant Number Purpose
Sponsor Goals
Project Coordinator Methods
EPA Funding Products/Results
Focus Challenges
Target Audience Successes/Strengths
The following indexes are also provided:
Alphabetical listing of project titles by state
Listing by target audience of the projects
Listing by focus of the projects
If you have any questions or experience difficulty contacting project
coordinators, contact Sally Hanft, the Environmental Education Grants
Coordinator for Region 10, at (206) 553-1207 or call the toll free Region 10
hotline at 1-800-424-4372.
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Table of
Contents
Air Pollution Monitoring for Children 15
Chester Creek Stream Ecology and Pollution Project 16
Faculty Training Workshop for Alaska Native Student Wilderness and
Enrichment Retreat (ANSWER) Camp 17
Global Change Environmental Education in Alaska 18
Songbirds of Alaska 20
Songbirds of Interior Alaska 21
The Wetland Ecology Training (W.E.T) 22
Tribal Environmental Training Project 23
Upper Copper Valley Community's Environmental Education Project 24
Wetlands Education Program 26
Iff £1 hfl ERBS: Examining Regional Biodiversity Systems 29
•*•€•••V Idaho Water Awareness Week (2 projects) 30
Lost River Environmental Awareness Project 31
Outdoor Education Resource Center 32
Portneuf Watershed Council Water Quality Education 33
Alien Invasion Film Project 37
Boat-Based Education on the Columbia/Willamette Rivers 38
Community Action Project 39
Environmental Education for High School and Middle School Students 40
Hands-on Outdoor Classroom Opportunities for Local School Children 42
Humboldt Elementary School Learning Garden 43
Implementation of 4-H Em*Power Waste Management Curriculum to Oregon
Youth Educators 44
Journey for the Planet 45
Madison High School Water Analysis Team 46
McKenzie Sustainable Watersheds Environmental Education Program
Development Project 47
Naturescaping for Clean Rivers 48
Orlo-The Garbage Gurus 49
Salmon Watch Environmental Education Program 50
Schoolyard Wildlife Habitat 52
Sharing the Wealth: Groundwater, Oregon's Buried Treasure. 53
Sherwood Sustainable Community Education Initiative Proj ect 54
South Santiam Water Quality Monitoring Program 55
Stellar Project 57
Water Quality Monitoring Partnership with Middle School in the Santiam
River Watershed 58
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Table of
Contents
Water Workshop Series for Teachers 59
Watershed and Forest Health Education Program 60
An Arboretum and Wildlife Habitat 63
Bainbridge Island Wildlife Corridor Study 64
Blue Mountain Demonstration Forest 65
Danger and Danger Household Detective 66
Eastern Washington Teacher Workshop 67
Educating for Action on Puget Sound 69
Environmental Education for City Council Members from Small Towns 70
Family Science Career Awareness Workshops 71
Flooding Wetlands as Foci for Lessons 72
Forest Ecology Teacher Training Project 73
FUN: Finding Urban Nature 74
Household Hazardous Waste Neighborhood Program 75
Integrating Telecommunication and Technologies into Environmental
Education (2 projects) 76
Kitsap County Fair On-Site Agricultural Composting
Demonstration Project 77
Meeting Local Needs to Achieve Regional Goals: Expanding Environmental
Education in the Inland Northwest 79
Northwest AirNet 80
Onalaska School District #330's Environmental Education Project 82
Plant a Tree, Save a Fish 83
River Resources-Education Reform and Training 85
Summer Science Camp 86
Summer Workshop: Promoting Environmental Stewardship on
School Grounds 87
Technological Preparation and School to Work Activities 88
Technology Applications Promoting Environmental Studies 90
The Giraffe Project 91
Weather Station Curriculum Link Project 92
Whatcom Watersheds/Service-Learning Project 93
YMCA Earth Science Corps 94
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Title Index by
Focus
A j|* O||£)|jtv Air Pollution Monitoring for Children (AK) 15
/%•• HUdlllJ Eastern Washington Teacher Workshop (WA) 67
Northwest AirNet (WA) 80
ERRS: Examining Regional Biodiversity Systems (ID) 29
Technology Applications Promoting Environmental Studies (WA) 90
Chester Creek Stream Ecology and Pollution Proj ect (AK) 16
Environmental Education for High School and
Middle School Students (OR) 40
Forest Ecology Teacher Training Project (WA) 73
Journey for the Planet (OR) 45
River Resources-Education Reform and Training (WA) 85
Alien Invasion Film Project (OR) 37
An Arboretum and Wildlife Habitat (WA) 63
Ha hit £lt Bainbridge Island Wildlife Corridor Study (WA) 64
• ICIUIiai Blue Mountain Demonstration Forest (WA) 65
Orlo-The Garbage Gurus (OR) 49
Plant a Tree, Save a Fish (WA) 83
S almon Watch Environmental Education Program (OR) 50
Schoolyard Wildlife Habitat (OR) 52
Songbirds of Alaska (AK) 20
Songbirds of Interior Alaska (AK) 21
Upper Copper Valley Community's
Environmental Education Project (AK) 24
fif*nf*f £)l Environmental Education for City Council Members from
UCJIICiai Small Towns (WA) 70
Friv! w*f\ n ffl f*nt£11 Faculty Training Workshop for Alaska Native Student Wilderness and
•-••Til Ulllii^uiai Enrichment Retreat (ANSWER) Camp (AK) 17
Education FUN: FindingUrban Namre OVA> 74
Integrating Telecommunication and Technologies into Environmental
Education (2 projects) (WA) 76
McKenzie Sustainable Watersheds Environmental Education Program
Development Project (OR) 47
Meeting Local Needs to Achieve Regional Goals: Expanding Environmental
Education in the Inland Northwest (WA) 79
Outdoor Education Resource Center (ID) 32
Summer Science Camp (WA) 86
7
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Title Index by
Focus
The Giraffe Project (WA) 91
YMCA Earth Science Corps (WA) 94
Environmental
Education
Danger and Danger Household Detective (WA) 66
Household Hazardous Waste Neighborhood Program (WA) 75
Implementation of 4-H Em*Power Waste Management Curriculum to
Oregon Youth Educators (OR) 44
Kitsap County Fair On-Site Agricultural Composting
Demonstration Project (WA) 77
Tribal Environmental Training Project (AK) 23
Boat-Based Education on the Columbia/Willamette Rivers (OR) 38
Community Action Project (OR) 39
Educating for Action on Puget Sound (WA) 69
Hands-on Outdoor Classroom Opportunities for
Local School Children (OR) 42
Idaho Water Awareness Week (2 projects) (ID) 30
Lost River Environmental Awareness Project (ID) 31
Madison High School Water Analysis Team (OR) 46
Nairn-escaping for Clean Rivers (OR) 48
Onalaska School District #330's Environmental
Education Project (WA) 82
Portneuf Watershed Council Water Quality Education (ID) 33
Sharing the Wealth: Groundwater, Oregon's Buried Treasure (OR) 53
South Santiam Water Quality Monitoring Program (OR) 55
Summer Workshop: Promoting Environmental Stewardship on
School Grounds (WA) 37
Technological Preparation and School to Work Activities (WA) 88
Water Quality Monitoring Partnership with Middle School in the
Santiam River Watershed (OR) 58
Water Workshop Series for Teachers (OR) 59
Watersheds and Forest Health Education Program (OR) "'.""'."".. 60
Whatcom Watersheds/Service-Learning Project (WA) 93
Flooding Wetlands as Foci for Lessons (WA) 72
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Title Index by
Focus
Humboldt Elementary School Learning Garden (OR) 43
The Wetland Ecology Training (W.E.T) (AK) 22
Wetlands Education Program (AK) 26
Family Science Career Awareness Workshops
(environmental careers) (WA) 71
Global Change Environmental Education in Alaska
(global warming) (AK) 18
Sherwood Sustainable Community Education Initiative Project (OR) 54
Stellar Project (pesticides) (OR) 57
Weather Station Curriculum Link Project (WA) 92
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10
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Title Index by
Audience
Arboretum and Wildlife Habitat (WA) 63
Blue Mountain Demonstration Forest (WA) 65
Danger and Danger Household Detective (WA) 66
Forest Ecology Teacher Training Project (WA) 73
FUN: Finding Urban Nature (WA) 74
Hands-on Outdoor Classroom Opportunities for
Local School Children (OR) 42
Journey for the Planet (OR) 45
Songbirds of Interior Alaska (AK) 20
Songbirds of Alaska (AK) 21
The Giraffe Project (WA) 91
Weather Station Curriculum Link Project (WA) 92
tl||r|f(l|" Hlflfll/ Chester Creek Stream Ecology and Pollution Project (AK) 16
** • Implementation of 4-H Em*Power Waste Management Curriculum to Oregon
SChOOl Youth Educators (OR) 44
Technological Preparation and School to Work Activities (WA) 88
Students
Watershed and Forest Health Education Program (OR) 60
YMCA Earth Science Corps (WA) 94
Students
Sinrl Schoolyard Wildlife Habitat (OR) 52
dllU Wetlands Education Program (AK) 26
Middle or nigh
School Students
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Title Index by
Audience
Mill fill* »liminr Alien Invasion Film Project (OR) 37
• •uui^, CPUIIIUI Educating for Action on Puget Sound (WA) 69
clllCl High SChOOl Onalaska School District #330's
** Environmental Education Project (WA) 82
Sharing the Wealth: Groundwater, Oregon's Buried Treasure (OR) 53
|{ •r|f|f*r'0'£l|*tffcr| tfl Community Action Project (OR) 39
•%• I III t> I ££(• I l*JI I IV Summer Workshop: Promoting Environmental Stewardship on
1 2th fifr&d£ School Grounds (Chief Leschi Tribal School (WA) 87
Eastern Washington Teacher Workshop (WA) 67
Global Change Environmental Education in Alaska (AK) 18
Integrating Telecommunication and Technologies into
Environmental Education (2 projects) (WA) 76
McKenzie Sustainable Watersheds Environmental Education Program
Development Project (OR) 47
Northwest AirNet (WA) 80
Technology Applications Promoting Environmental Studies (WA) 90
The Wetlands Ecology Training (W.E.T.) (AK) 23
Water Workshop Series for Teachers (OR) 59
Whatcom Watersheds/Service-Learning Project (WA) 93
£)IlH ^*r Pollution Monitoring for Children (6th grade) (AK) 15
dllU Bainbridge Island Wildlife Corridor Study (4-12th grades) (WA) 64
Environmental Education for High School and
Middle School Students (OR) 40
ERBS: Examining Regional Biodiversity Systems
(middle school) (ID) 29
Flooding Wetlands as Foci for Lessons (K-12) (WA) 72
Humboldt Elementary School Learning Garden (OR) 43
Idaho Water Awareness Week (6th grade) (2 projects) (ID) .'".'"!!!." 30
Madison High School Water Analysis Team (OR) 45
Meeting Local Needs to Achieve Regional Goals: Expanding
Environmental Education in the Inland Northwest (WA) 79
Orlo - The Garbage Gurus (OR) "" 49
Sherwood Sustainable Community Education Initiative Project (OR) 54
12
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Title Index by
Audience
D • • K | • f» Boat-Based Education on the Columbia/Willamette Rivers (OR) 38
fr"UUIIl> Naturescaping the Clean Rivers (OR) 48
Portneuf Watershed Council Water Quality Education (ID) 33
South Santiam Water Quality Monitoring Program (OR) 55
l Iflf^lli^ Faculty Training Workshop for Alaska Native Student Wilderness and
UUCJMia Enrichment Retreat (ANSWER) Camp (AK) 17
£ir|(i /Of Tribal Environmental Training Project (AK) 22
* Upper Copper Valley Community's
Environmental Education Project (AK) 24
Lost River Environmental Awareness Project (K-8) (ID) 31
Outdoor Education Resource Center (K-12) (ID) 32
and plant A Tree'Save a Fish (WA) • 83
dllll Riyer Resources .Education Reform and Training (WA) 85
Dl I 111 If* Salmon Watch Environmental Education Program (OR) 50
r*Mm*"** Stellar Project (OR) 57
Water Quality Monitoring Partnership with Middle School in the
Santiam River Watershed (OR) 58
i£) | fimi II1Q Environmental Education for City Council Members from Small Towns
ICll Ul UU|J9 (elected officials) (WA) 70
Family Science Career Awareness Workshops
(students and parents) (WA) 71
Household Hazardous Waste Neighborhood Program
(Spanish speaking adults) (WA) 75
Kitsap County Fair On-Site Agricultural Composting Demonstration Project
(live stock owners in Kitsap County and all the support services and
interest groups associated with the farming industry) (WA) 77
Summer Science Camp (4-6th graders and families) (WA) 86
13
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Alaska
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Air Pollution Monitoring
for Children
Grant Number:
NE-980164-01
Sponsor:
Fairbanks North Star Borough
School District
Alaska Science and Technology
Foundation
Project Coordinator:
Linda Schandelmeier
Fairbanks North Star Borough
School District
520 5th Avenue
Fairbanks, AK 99701
(907) 451-9602
EPA Funding:
$5,000
FY 1998
Focus:
Air Quality
Target Audience:
6th grade Students and Teachers
Purpose:
To teach sixth grade students about
air pollution issues by involving
them in simple, hands-on, air quality
measurements along with
temperature, wind speed, and other
environmental measurements.
Goals:
• Have the students study air
quality issues by making air
pollution measurements.
• Develop protocols for collecting
and posting data on the Internet.
• Integrate this study into the
Fairbanks North Star Borough
School District (FNSBSD)
science curriculum.
• Develop and disseminate
methods of teaching new
curricular elements.
Methods:
• Involve students in a hands-on,
data collection and analysis
project enhanced by the
participation of scientists and
involvement in the GLOBE
(Global Learning and
Observations to Benefit the
Environment) program.
• Introduce teachers to the project
through district-wide workshops,
mentoring, and other training.
Products/Results:
• The students set up the vacuum
cleaner to make the air quality
measurements on the daily basis
during the data collection phase
(Nov.28-Dec.17, 1998).
• The weather data was entered on
the GLOBE site for Barnette
School.
• Air pollution web pages
designed by students were
posted on the Internet at http://
www4.northstar.kl2.ak.us/
schools/bnt/staff/schandelmeier/
lindaair.html.
• The project was also posted on
the Partners in Science website
at http://
www3.northstar.kl2.ak.us/
NSFPIS/vsm.html.
• Scientists talked with students
about results and discussed the
Fairbanks air quality program.
15
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Alaska
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Air Pollution Monitoring
for Children
• This study was integrated into
the FNSBSD science curriculum.
• Lesson plans for the air pollution
unit were developed and
disseminated through an Alaska
Science and Technology
statewide teacher workshop held
in Juneau, Alaska on March 30
and 31, 1999.
Challenges:
• The analytical balance borrowed
from the University of Alaska
was not sensitive enough to
detect an increase in weight due
to the pollution trapped on the
filters. Instead a gray scale
which shows the increase in
weight as a darker color was
used.
• The vacuum cleaner hose needed
to be modified by attaching a 28
ounce metal can to increase the
surface area through which air
could be drawn into the filter.
Successes/Strengths:
• Fairbanks is a "non-attainment
area." This project helped
students understand what that
means, what environmental
conditions contribute to this
problem, and which areas are
most impacted by air pollution.
• The school district's science
curriculum and other areas of the
curriculum were linked through
the project, and students worked
on a real community problem, of
air pollution.
• Approximately 45 students and 3
teachers took part in the project
directly. Several hundred
teachers learned about the
project through teacher in-
service training and workshops.
Others accessed the Partners in
Science website and reviewed
the lesson plans.
Chester Creek Stream
Ecology and Pollution
Project
Grant Number:
NE-990745-01
Sponsor:
Anchorage School District
Central School of Science
Project Coordinator:
Dwight Taylor
Anchorage School District
Central School of Science
4600 De Barr Avenue
P. O. Box 196614
Anchorage, AK 99519
(907) 346-3734
EPA Funding:
$5,000
FY 1996
Focus:
Ecology/ Water Quality
Target Audience:
Middle High School Students
Purpose:
To instruct multiethnic, low socio-
economic middle school students
about neighborhood pollution
problems.
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Alaska
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Chester Creek Stream
Ecology and Pollution
Project
Goals:
• Teach students about stream
ecology and pollution.
• Train students to conduct water
quality tests.
Methods:
• Have students prepare, practice,
and deliver lessons in a
classroom setting as well as on
field trips.
• Find information on the Internet,
in libraries, and using data
samples from their water studies.
• Using the Living in Water
curriculum for teachers and
parents.
Products/Results:
• Two training's were provided for
Anchorage School District
teachers in August and in
October.
• After being trained to use water
quality test kits, students went on
field trips in September and
October. They gathered and
classified stream benthic macro
vertebrates.
• Students presented lessons in
two formats in May 1997. The
students presented the lessons to
each other in their classes and to
elementary students during an
after school club.
Challenges:
• Parents were invited to attend the
training sessions, but none chose
to be involved.
• The elementary school teacher
who was expected to assist with
the project decided not to
participate.
Successes/Strengths:
• Students participated in the
annual stream cleanup weekend
for the City of Anchorage.
Faculty Training
Workshop for Alaska
Native Student
Wilderness and
Enrichment Retreat
(ANSWER) Camp
Grant Number:
NE-98013-01
Sponsor:
South East Regional Resource Center
Project Coordinator:
Jo Ann Henderson
South East Regional Resource Center
210 Ferry Way, Suite 200
Juneau, AK 99801
(907) 586-6806
EPA Funding:
$4,851
FY 1998
Focus:
Environmental Education
Target Audience:
Science and Mathematics Teachers,
Alaska Native Tribal Members, and
College Students involved in teacher
training
Purpose:
To provide a capacity-building
workshop for faculty as a precursor
to the first session of the ANSWER
Camp - a dynamic academic
enrichment program for Alaska
Native middle school students.
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Alaska
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
faculty Training
Workshop for Alaska
Native Student
Wilderness and
Enrichment Retreat
(ANSWER) Camp
Goals:
• Increase the capacity of the
faculty to design and deliver
environmental education.
• Improve teaching skills to foster
curricular and instructional
innovations with an emphasis on
inquiry and problem solving.
Methods:
• Hold workshop for faculty of the
ANSWER Camp before each
session of the Camp. Faculty
will instruct Alaska Native tribal
members prior to and during the
Camp.
• Have faculty members
participate in the workshop and
design a lesson using the
interdisciplinary model for
integrated curriculum.
Products:
• Staff met in a retreat setting to
learn to develop culturally-
based, environmentally
referenced curriculums for
middle school students.
• Curriculums were presented to
five different groups of Alaska
Native middle school students
from over 90 different
communities.
Challenge:
• Staff participants requested
Alaska presenters for the training
rather than the person who had
agreed to conduct the training.
Success:
• As part of the curriculum
development and
implementation work, the Alaska
Native staff members reported
that they developed a greater
understanding of standards based
schooling and the elements of
the Alaska Quality Initiative.
• Copies of the units were
distributed at statewide
conferences, and copies were
given to the 25 staff participants
at the ANSWER Camp session.
• The improved curriculum
development model was to be
used by other teachers in the
next school year.
Global Change
Environmental
Education in Alaska
Grant Number:
NE-990747-01
Sponsor:
University of Alaska Fairbanks/
Center for Global Change
Project Coordinator:
Elena Sparrow
University of Alaska
P.O. Box 757740
Fairbanks, AK 99775
(907) 474-7699
EPA Funding:
$24,379
FY 1996
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Alaska
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Global Change
Environmental
Education in Alaska
Focus:
Global Warming
Target Audience:
50-60 teachers (5th-8th grade)
Purpose:
To promote global change education
in Alaska and educate Alaskans,
including those in remote areas, on
global change environmental issues.
Goals:
• Provide a distance delivered
training course on global change
environmental education to
teachers (5th-8th grade) in five
sites which includes both urban
and rural areas in Alaska.
• Connect these teachers and their
students with the scientific
community.
• Provide students the opportunity
to learn and do science in the
context of global change
environmental issues.
Methods:
• Develop an interactive and
distance delivered two-credit
course to teachers utilizing the
two-way video and audio
technology available at the
University of Alaska.
• Deliver eight two-hour
interactive broadcasts which
consist of a content portion
(presentation by a scientist)
followed by application
(translation by a master teacher).
Products/Results:
• Thirteen two-hour interactive
sessions were conducted from
January 22 through April 20,
1997.
• Three - four day teacher training
workshops with follow-up one-
day sessions were held to
introduce and develop science
concepts.
• All teachers in the distance
delivered course created lesson
plans on some aspect of global
environmental change or unit
plans, which they used in their
classrooms.
• Two middle school teachers set
up a web site:
www.ckms.mat-su.kl2.ak.us
Challenges:
• Rural sites were no longer
connected to the two-way video
conferencing system because
funding (from other sources) for
the maintenance of the system
ran out by the time the project
started.
• Technical problems such as: one
site would be totally
disconnected during video-
conferencing sessions.
Technical assistance was
obtained to continue the
sessions.
• It was difficult for presenters to
do a presentation and also handle
the video conferencing panel
controls.
• Teachers in the distance-
delivered course wanted more
training time.
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Alaska
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Global Change
Environmental
Education in Alaska
Successes/Strengths:
• Students of trained teachers are
involved in monitoring the
environment and long-term
environmental projects and
entering the data into the
GLOBE (Global Learning and
Observations to Benefit the
Environment) data server
(http://www.globe.gov).
Scientists visited classrooms and
worked with students, besides
communicating with students
through e-mail.
• Of the teachers trained, 73%
have used the global
environmental change education
curriculum materials in their
classrooms.
Songbirds of Alaska
Grant Number:
NE-980190-01
Sponsor:
Alaska Bird Observatory
Project Coordinator:
Nancy DeWitt
Alaska Bird Observatory (ABO)
P.O. Box 80505
Fairbanks, AK 99708
(907) 451-7059
EPA Funding:
$4,500
FY 1998
Focus:
Wildlife
Target Audience:
Students ages 10-12 from the
Fairbanks North Star Borough and
ABO's junior volunteer program,
and student interns from the
University of Alaska-Fairbanks
Purpose:
To implement several activity-based
learning experiences for youth that
promote environmental careers and
the conservation of songbird
populations in Alaska.
Goals:
• Promote bird conservation and
environmental career
development through Alaska
Bird Camp, student internship,
and Alaska Song Bird
workshops.
• Teach participants about
ornithology, ecology, critical
environmental issues, scientific
research, and environmental
careers.
Methods:
• Conduct a six-day, pilot "Alaska
Bird Camp" for eight youth ages
10-12 in July 1998.
• Publicize student project
summaries from the Alaska Bird
Camp in ABO's newsletter and
Internet site.
• Train five high-school and
college-age student interns in
field research techniques and
20
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Alaska
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Songbirds of Alaska
environmental education during
the summer of 1998.
• Conduct four Alaskan Song Bird
Workshops in songbird ecology
and avian research at three
elementary schools for 100
students from October-
November 1998.
Products/Results:
• The pilot "Alaska Bird Camp"
was conducted from July 13-17,
1998.
• Project summaries from Alaska
Bird Camp were publicized in
the ABO newsletter, The Arctic
Warbler, vol.4 (3), winter 1998,
and posted on the ABO web site
in December 1998.
• Three interns participated in
migration monitoring research
from July-September 1998.
• Four workshops for a single
class at each of the three
elementary schools were
completed in December 1998.
Challenges:
• Camp only lasted 5 days to
eliminate conflict with the
schedule of other Camp Habitat
programs.
• Only three classes (66 students)
participated due to time
constraints.
Successes/Strengths:
• The Alaska Bird Camp was the
first bird camp ever offered in
Interior Alaska. The camp
involved the cooperative efforts
of several community partners
including a focus on career
development.
• Reporters from KFXF Fox 7 and
KXD CBS 13 came to visit the
camp. Both channels aired a
segment on the Alaska Bird
Camp during their evening news
broadcasts.
Songbirds of Interior
Alaska
Grant Number:
NE-990992-01
Sponsor:
Alaska Bird Observatory
Fairbanks North Star Borough
School District
Project Coordinator:
Nancy DeWitt
Alaska Bird Observatory
P.O. Box 80505
Fairbanks, AK 99708
907)451-7059
EPA Funding:
$4,995
FY 1997
Focus:
Wildlife Conservation
Target Audience:
K-6 grade students
Purpose:
To promote conservation of the
songbird populations in Alaska's
boreal forest.
21
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Alaska
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Songbirds of Interior
Alaska
Goals:
• Incorporate information about
conservation into elementary
school curriculum.
Methods:
• Create an interactive workbook
and curriculum for K-6 related to
the migration of boreal forest
songbird populations.
• Deliver the curriculum module
to 3,500 K-6 grade students.
• Publicize the curriculum module
to the eleven school districts in
the boreal forest and initiate its
use in at least two schools.
• Post the curriculum on the
Internet to make it available to
students in the school districts.
• Promote the curriculum module
and workbooks to teachers
through the Alaska Staff
Development Network.
Products/Results:
• The Boreal Forest Songbirds of
Alaska Teaching Unit and
Songbird of Alaska Activity
Book were created.
• The curriculum was delivered to
at least 3,500 K-6 students.
• The information was made
available on the Internet.
Challenges:
• Training 60 elementary teachers
during in-service in 1998 did not
take place because the materials
were not consistent with the
focus of that particular in-
service.
Successes/Strengths:
• The curriculum was well
received by the students and
teachers.
• The activity book familiarized
the students with different bird
species.
The Wetland Ecology
Training (W.E.T)
Grant Number:
NE-990991-01
Sponsor:
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Institute for Arctic Biology
Project Coordinator:
Douglas Schamel
Institute for Arctic Biology
P.O. Box 757000
Fairbanks, AK 99775
(907) 474-6297
EPA Funding:
$4,782
FY 1997
Focus:
Wetlands
Target Audience:
24 Elementary School Teachers
Purpose:
To enhance the effectiveness of
elementary teachers in facilitating
investigative science studies with
their students.
22
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Alaska
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
The Wetland Ecology
Training (W.E.T)
Goals:
• Increase the number of teachers
who are more effective at
teaching science.
• Increase teachers' knowledge of
pond ecology, method of
scientific investigation, and use
of scientific equipment and
relevant curriculum materials.
Methods:
• Conduct a series of interactive
workshops, combining outdoor
and indoor activities on how to
build scientific investigations.
• Educate how to use science
process skills, scientific
equipment, reference materials,
and relevant curriculum
materials.
• Educate how to read and
interpret topographic maps.
Products/Results:
• A series of workshops,
Exploratory Pond Ecology for
Teachers, was conducted at Old
University Park Elementary
School on June 16-18, 1999.
• The teachers constructed lesson
plans for teaching pond ecology,
using the techniques, supplies,
and curriculum materials
provided in the course.
Challenges:
• Changes in key personnel.
Successes/Strengths:
• The project gave the participants
a motivation to leam more about
wetlands.
• The teachers are using the
materials to teach their students
about wetland ecology.
Tribal Environmental
Training Project
Grant Number:
NE-990993-01
Sponsor:
Kuigpagmuit, Inc.
Project Coordinator:
Vince Beans
Kuigpagmuit, Inc.
P.O. Box 32209
Mountain Village, AK 99632
(907) 591-2834
EPA Funding:
$5,000
FY 1997
Focus:
Waste Management, Community-
Based Environmental Education
Target Audience:
Tribal Council and Community
Members of Mountain Village
Purpose:
To increase the environmental
awareness of the Mountain Village
residents and provide the community
leaders with the information
necessary to solve existing
environmental problems.
23
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Alaska
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Tribal Environmental
Training Project
Goals:
• Protect and preserve the
environment for future
generations through
environmental education that
tribal leaders weave into the
culture of the tribe.
Methods:
• Educate 85% of the tribal leaders
about environmental awareness
through workshops.
• Have tribal leaders implement
two community events focusing
on issues addressed in
workshops by the end of the
year.
Products/Results:
• A recycling program was set up
in the four Kuigpagmuit
Villages.
• The web page for the
Kuigpagmuit Environmental
program was developed.
Challenges:
• Personnel changes necessitated
alterations in the time frame.
Successes/Strengths:
• The level of awareness of
hazards and how to deal with
them were increased at the
community level through the
training provided in Trainers-of-
Trainers program and in various
activities.
Upper Copper Valley
Community's
Environmental
Education Project
Grant Number:
NE-980352-01
Sponsor:
Upper Copper Valley Community
Development Corp.
Project Coordinator:
Joan Herrmann
Upper Copper Valley Community
Development Corp.
P.O. Box 357
Gakona, AK 99586
(907) 835-5510
EPA Funding:
$24,306
FY 1998
Focus:
Salmon
Hazardous Materials
Target Audience:
Students and Elders in the native
villages of Chistochina and Mentasta
Purpose:
To address two high priority
environmental issues for the villages
of Chistochina and Mentasta;
degradation of the king salmon run
on Sinona Creek and hazardous
materials in the area.
24
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Alaska
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Upper Copper Valley
Community's
Environmental
Education Project
Goals:
• Educate native youth and elders
in the villages about •
environmental issues in their
area.
• Educate students and elders
about environmental health
threats from environmental
pollution.
• Educate the students about
environmental issues to
encourage environmental
careers.
Methods:
• Conduct a month long special
summer field session with school
children.
• Evaluate salmon spawning
habitat in Sinona Creek as a part
of the summer field work.
• Conduct sessions at the
Batzulnetas Culture Camp
regarding traditional native
values including care and
protection of the salmon runs.
• Conduct classroom and field
work on hazardous materials,
effects of these materials on
community health, water quality
and the salmon runs.
• Implement community service
learning model which focuses on
toxic waste education in the
regular classroom using
hazardous material identification
and reduction.
• Have two high school students
attend the Prince William Sound
Science Camp.
Products/Results:
• Students participated in several
activities regarding the salmon
habitats on the Sinona Creek
including a float trip to look for
log jams and other debris that
could clog the stream.
• At Batzulnetes Culture Camp,
elders shared stories of the
migration habits of the fish and
their survival dependence on the
fish runs. Native language was
used for storytelling and other
traditional activities such as
cutting fish, harvesting moose,
basketmaking, and steam baths.
• Students were provided with
presentations about pollution
prevention through games,
songs, and puppets.
• As a part of implementing the
community service learning
model, students and community
members were actively involved
in identifying, preparing and
even crushing the junk cars in
their areas.
• An educational poster/brochure
and a 14-minute video were
developed.
• Two elementary students
attended a summer science camp
based out of Anchorage to learn
about Alaska's ecosystems,
environmental stewardship, and
community service.
Challenges:
• Due to the lack of historical
recording, the interpretation part
of fish names for the classroom
brochure was postponed.
25
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Alaska
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Upper Copper Valley
Community's
Environmental
Education Project
Successes/ Strengths:
• With the focus on the migration
of the salmon, marine life, and
protection of habitat; students
could take a broader view of
their responsibilities to their
environment.
• The car crushing project helped
the students participate in a
community service activity,
showing them how to make a
difference for a clean
environment.
• Considerable communication
with elder, tribal leaders, and
community members has
produced positive results in
development of the materials.
Wetlands Education
Program
Grant Number:
NE-990746-01
Sponsor:
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School
District
Palmer High School
Project Coordinator:
Susan Dent
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School
District
Palmer High School
125 West Evergreen Avenue
Palmer, AK 99645
(907) 745-3241
EPA Funding:
$4,700
FY 1996
Focus:
Wetlands
1
Target Audience:
Higlf Seh6ol and Elementary School
Students
Purpose:
To teach specific scientific principles
through hands-on activities that
address local environmental issues.
Goals:
• Develop a sense of personal
responsibility for care of the
environment in students by
having them take part in their
own community based
environmental protection project.
• Have students explore a
watershed and demonstrate their
understanding of environmental
science issues.
Methods:
• Construct projects that can be
used by the community.
• Have students engage in critical
thinking and problem solving
activities.
• Focus on educating members of
the community high school
through Palmer High School's
required science curriculum.
26
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Alaska
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Wetlands Education
Program
Products/Results:
• Students went on several field
trips, the result of one such trip
can be viewed at Palmer High's
Home page.
• Two ponds, a nature trail, and
several indoor streams were
built.
• For the ponds and nature trail,
students produced brochures
designed for the general public's
self-guided tour.
Challenges:
• The ponds took much longer to
construct than was anticipated.
Successes/Strengths:
• High school students guided
elementary school students on
their field trip and tour of the
ponds and trail. Many students
were positively impacted by the
interactions of the high school
students with the elementary
school students.
• Ponds and the nature trail served
as the only environmental
interpretative sites available in
the community.
27
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Idaho
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
ERBS: Examining
Regional Biodiversity
Systems
Grant Number:
NE-990880-01
Sponsor:
Northwest Nazarene College
Project Coordinator:
Lianne Yamamoto
Northwest Nazarene College
623 Holly
Nampa, ID 83686
(208) 465-3502
EPA Funding:
$20,000
FY 1997
Focus:
Biodiversity
Target Audience:
Middle school students and their
teachers
Purpose:
To demonstrate, validate, and
disseminate an effective model for
increasing the abilities of under-
prepared middle school teachers to
plan and construct effective
environmental education lessons and
activities.
Goals:
• Enrich the overall environmental
literacy and environmental
action skills of middle school
youth living in small-town and
rural communities.
• Enhance the planning and
instructional skills of middle
school teachers in relation to
environmental education.
• Expand the capacity of schools
to deliver superior
environmentally-focused
activities, with a special focus on
hands-on activities for young
people.
Methods:
• Present information about
environmental resource
management principles and
related species preservation
influences by WEB (Whole
Ecosystems in Balance) and
PEERS (People Exploring
Ecosystem Resources as
Stewards) programs.
• Set up: a) "demonstration sites"
for model environmental
education activities; b) a cadre of
teachers prepared as peer
leaders; and c) a network of
educators sharing ideas and
resources.
Products/Results:
• Environmental curricula (ERBS
used existing curricula) were
demonstrated and disseminated.
• A summer workshop was held
on August 17-21, 1998 to train
teachers and related personnel.
Challenges:
• Last minute drop outs for the
training.
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Idaho
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
ERBS: Examining
Regional Biodiversity
Systems
Successes/Strengths:
• Instructors were outstanding.
Teachers came together well and
gained an increase in
knowledge, skills, behaviors, and
materials to take back to their
classrooms.
1 Follow-up correspondence has
shown a good implementation of
the programs by participants.
Idaho Water Awareness
Week
Grant Number:
NE-990681-01(1996) /NE-990882-
01(1997)
Sponsor:
Idaho Department of Water
Resources
Public Information Office
Project Coordinator:
Dick Larsen
Idaho Department of Water
Resources
Public Information Office
1301 North Orchard Street
Boise, ID 83706
(208) 327-7933
EPA Funding:
$5,000
FY 1996
FY 1997
Focus:
Water Quality
Target Audience:
6th grade students and their teachers
Purpose:
To provide Idaho 6th graders with
the educational tools and
understanding to develop and sustain
an appreciation and knowledge of the
importance of water in their lives and
to lay the foundation for an
understanding of the critical water
decision issues.
Goals:
• Hold a Water Awareness Week
for 6th grade students to learn
about water, pollution, and
conservation in 1996 and in
1997.
Methods:
(in 1996)
• Purchase student workbooks.
• Provide teachers with Idaho
Water Awareness Week kits.
• Conduct a 5 day course of
general water curriculum
supplemented with Idaho-
specific information, and field
trips.
(in 1997)
• Hold a five day course involving
water curriculum in 6th grade
classrooms.
• Provide teachers with a Water
Awareness Week kit, consisting
of a workbook, a resource guide,
and a certificate of participation.
• Organize regional committees to
facilitate a variety of local
activities during the week to
30
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Idaho
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Idaho Water Awareness
Week
highlight local water quality
issues.
• Launch an aggressive Water
Awareness Week media
campaign.
Products/Results:
(In 1996)
• A student curriculum workbook
was produced.
• Rain gages and water testing kits
for some sixth grade classrooms
were purchased.
• Six special project WET
workshops for sixth grade
teachers were conducted.
• Two workshops demonstrated
how music can be used to teach
water environmental materials.
• Numerous student field trips to
visit irrigation projects, drinking
and waste water treatment plants,
and a Stream Walk were taken.
(in 1997)
• Water Awareness Week took
place on May 5-9.
• Water Awareness Week kits
were produced and distributed.
• Six WET workshops were held
for 6th grade teachers.
• 1,500 6th grade students
attended a water festival day that
occurred in Boise.
• Field trips were taken to
wetlands, parks, lakes, mining
restoration projects, and
commercial aquaculture
facilities.
Successes/Strengths:
• The most successful Water
Awareness Week to date.
• More than 10,300 students
participated in Water Awareness
Week, representing 120 schools
and 20 counties in 1996.
• 11,400 students from 140
schools participated in 1997.
Lost River
Environmental
Awareness Project
Grant Number:
NE-980173-01
Sponsor:
Mackay Joint School District #182
Project Coordinator:
Karlene Hardy
Mackay Joint School District #182
P.O. Box 390
411 Rose Ave.
Mackay, ID 83251
(208) 588-2262
EPA Funding:
$4,567
FY 1998
Focus:
Water Quality, Wildlife
Target Audience:
Educators (K-8), Community
Members, Special Area Resource
People, Local Business Members,
Local Governmental Agencies,
Property Owners, and Students
Purpose:
To assist teachers in teaching
students and the community about
area environmental issues.
31
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Idaho
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Lost River
Environmental
Awareness Project
Goals:
• Give students hands-on
experiences by using resources
and knowledge received through
Project Wild I, Project Wild II,
Project Wet, and Project
Learning Tree.
• Educate students and prepare
them for future careers in the
area of environmental education.
Methods:
• Hold workshops to educate
teachers about Project Wild I,
Project Wild II, Project Wet, and
Project Learning Tree.
• Have an environmental fair to
portray students' interests and
knowledge in environmental
awareness.
• Host activities involving
community special interest
groups and peers to demonstrate
the need and desire to preserve
what they have in our
community and our world.
Products/Results:
• Teachers were given training on
Project Wild II and Project Wet.
• Several classes were taken to
Trout Haven, the river front
property which was donated for
the purpose of educating
students in environmental issues,
and participated in various
activities and lessons.
Challenges:
• Due to the lack of funds, Project
Wild I and Project Learning Tree
classes were not held.
Successes/Strengths:
• This project had over 130 people
interacting with the environment.
• After training, teachers used the
ideas and methods with students.
• Students had fun learning while
at the same time taking
responsibility for their
environment.
Outdoor Education
Resource Center
Grant Number:
NE-990707-01
Sponsor:
Valley Boys and Girls Club
Project Coordinator:
Bob Liming
Valley Boys and Girls Club
P. O. Box 1627
Lewiston, ID 83501
(208) 746-2301
EPA Funding:
$5,000
FY 1996
Focus:
General Environmental Education
Target Audience:
K-12 Youth, Educators, and
Professional Scientists
32
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Idaho
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Outdoor Education
Resource Center
Purpose:
To develop an outdoor education
resource center to be located at Camp
Whittman.
Goals:
• Increase the delivery quality of
environmental education
programs developed at the site.
• Provide environmental educators
with ready access to a wide
variety of materials at the camp
site.
• Improve the teaching skills of
educators.
Methods:
• Provide the proper equipment for
resource classes taught at the
camp.
• Acquire resource materials such
as test kits, reference materials,
field guides, and posters.
• Provide hands-on learning
experiences in air and water
quality education.
Products/Results:
• An Outdoor Education Resource
Center at Camp Whittman was
established.
• A variety of equipment including
fifteen environmental test kits,
field guides, charts, and animal
track molds were purchased.
Successes/Strengths:
• Schools from Lewiston and the
surrounding communities visited
Camp Whittman regularly to
enhance the students'
environmental education.
Portneuf Watershed
Council Water Quality
Education
Grant Number:
NE-990939-01
Sponsor:
Southeast Idaho Council of
Governments, Inc.
Project Coordinator:
Chuck Prince
Southeast Idaho Council of
Governments, Inc.
P.O. Box 6079
Pocatello, ID 83205
(208) 233-4032
EPA Funding:
$1,400
FY 1997
Focus:
Water Quality
Target Audience:
More than 70,000 people who live,
work, and play within the Portneuf
watershed
Purpose:
To improve the public awareness of
the importance of surface and
ground-water quality in a four-
county region by developing critical
thinking skills about the possible
impacts of certain actions.
U.S. EPA Headquarters Library
Mail code 3201
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington DC 20460 33
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Idaho
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Portneuf Watershed
Council Water Quality
Education
Goals:
• Illustrate the concepts of ground
water, surface water, water
quality, pollution and
watersheds.
• Educate the public about water
quality issues, such as threats to
human health from fecal
coliform and loss of critical
habitat due to sediments and
nutrients.
• Develop more critical thinking
skills about the possible impacts
of certain land uses on water
bodies and how water quality
degradation may result from
certain actions.
Methods:
• Presentations to students and
teachers for grades K-12.
• Presentations to civic groups,
organized groups, agency staff,
and community leaders.
• Give lectures to Idaho State
University students whose
majors are ecology, education, or
a science emphasis.
• Demonstrations to teachers at
curricula workshops sponsored
by Project WET, etc..
• Demonstrations to students and
their parents during Pocatello's
"Water Week" and during the
state-sponsored "Water
Awareness Week."
• Demonstrations at county,
regional and state fairs, libraries,
public meetings, workshops, and
Earth Day fairs.
Products/Results:
• Six PSAs (Public Service
Announcements) were produced.
The PSA topics are: Hazardous
Waste Disposal, Illegal
Dumping, Misuse or Overuse of
Yard Chemicals, Storm and
Street Runoff, Individual Septic
Waste Issues, and The High Cost
of Remediation as Compared to
Prevention.
• The PSAs are being distributed
to the local television stations,
cable TV operators, and public
access channels for airing as
PSAs.
Successes/Strengths:
• The final production form of the
PSAs is generic enough that all
viewers in the local television
markets can identify with each
topic treated.
34
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35
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Oregon
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Alien Invasion film
Project
Grant Number:
NE-990884-01
Sponsor:
Northwest Film Center
Project Coordinator:
Ellen S. Thomas
Northwest Film Center
1219 SW Park Avenue
Portland, OR 97205
(503)221-1156
EPA Funding:
$5,000
FY 1997
Focus:
Ecosystem
Target Audience:
75 junior and senior high school
honor students
Purpose:
To give students the ability to
produce a 20 minute film about plant
and animal species that are
threatening those which are native.
Goals:
• Produce a study guide to
accompany the film.
• Produce the film "Alien
Invasion."
• Distribute the film and give
public showings to educate the
public on this issue.
Methods:
• Give students the cinematic
knowledge to make the film
through field trips, research, and
meetings with environmental
experts.
• Teach the students the technical
knowledge necessary for them to
produce the film.
• Distribute the film nationally for
showings to 6th grade students.
• Have the film shown on public
access.
Products/Results:
• A 32 minute film "Alien
Invasion" was produced.
• An accompanying study guide
filled with statistics, graphs, and
questions was developed.
Success/Strengths:
• Strong feeling of student
ownership over the film.
• Student enthusiasm over the film
demonstrated by their
commitment to work outside of
school hours.
• National distribution of the film
to environmental agencies,
libraries, and schools.
37
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Oregon
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Boat-Based Education
on the Columbia/
Willamette Rivers
Grant Number:
NE-980230-01
Sponsor:
H2O
Project Coordinator:
Angela Borden Jackson
H2O (Headwaters to Ocean)
P.O. Box 745
Portland, OR 97207
(503) 228-9600
EPA Funding:
$5,000
FY 1998
Focus:
Water Quality
Target Audience:
General Public and Youth
Purpose:
To inspire actual commitment from
participants to change behavior for
the benefit of river health.
Goals:
• Use H2O's floating platform to
engage and educate people in the
Columbia and Willamette
watershed about the issues
facing the river system.
• Perform boat tours for the
general public and teen
overnight voyages.
Methods:
• Deliver 20 one hour public tours
(July-October at various ports).
• Take 12 two hour community
leader/decision maker trips
(July-May at various ports).
• Provide an overnight camp for
youth (August, Lower Columbia
Estuary).
Products/Results:
• Three trips were taken to St.
Helens, Oregon for 41
passengers,
• 56 people went on four boat
tours at Scappoose Bay
Watershed Festival.
• 60 children and adults went on a
4l/2 hour boat program in
Cathlamet, Washington.
• 296 passengers, including 110
residents and staff from Portland
social service agencies,
participated in boat tours leaving
from Portland, Oregon.
• The first Teen Overnight
Leadership voyage took place on
July 20-21, 1999. Four youth
participated and learned hands-
on instruction in seamanship,
wildlife cataloging, and water
quality testing.
Challenges:
• Lower turnout to free boat trip
events in small communities
than expected, despite good
publicity.
38
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Oregon
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Boat-Based Education
on the Columbia/
Willamette Rivers
Successes/Strengths:
• The project was the only boat-
based education program
operating on the Columbia River
system. 457 people were
brought on the boat and
appreciated the beauty of the
river.
• Tours provided participants with
chances to promote stewardship
of the Columbia and Willamette
River system and tools to
discover what they can do to
make a difference.
Two rural newspapers, St.
Helens Chronicle and
Wahkiakum Eagle, reported on
the river excursions.
Community Action
Project
Grant Number:
NE-990743-01
Sponsor:
Marcola School District 79J
Project Coordinator:
Maurice Thorne
Marcola School District 79J
38300 Wendling Road
Marcola, OR 974554
(541) 933-2512
EPA Funding:
$4,997
FY 1996
Focus:
Water Quality
Target Audience:
K-12 Students
Purpose:
To preserve the quality of the
McKenzie Watershed.
Goals:
• Expand the existing water
quality monitoring program to
include high school and Marcola
residents.
• Propagate native plants in
school-owned arboretum.
• Conduct clean-ups, restoration
projects, and riparian surveys
along the Mohawk River and
Cartwright Creek.
Methods:
• Train teachers and students
through Project GREEN (Global
Rivers Environmental Education
Network) and Project WET
(Water Education for Teachers).
• Involve teachers and students in
community action projects.
• Utilize outdoor classrooms
including an arboretum of
outdoor plants.
39
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Oregon
1996 1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Community Action
Project
Products/Results:
• A two day project-based
curriculum development
workshop was held for interested
teachers.
• A high school developed a
native plant nursery and a tree
arboretum on the school ground.
• Biology classes from two area
high schools worked together to
enhance a local fish hatchery,
replacing non-native plants with
native plants.
Challenges:
• Administrative changes.
Success/Strengths:
• Much of the project was
accomplished through
volunteers, so less grant funds
were used.
Environmental
Education for High
School and Middle
School Students
Grant Number:
NE-980161-01
Sponsor:
Oregon State University
Project Coordinator:
Susan J. Borden
Oregon State University
18 Gladys Valley Center
Corvallis, OR 97331
(541) 737-2388
EPA Funding:
$9,132
FY 1998
Focus:
Watershed Ecology
Target Audience:
150 disadvantaged high school
students, grades 9-12, 32
disadvantaged middle school
students, grade 7-8, and 15 high
school teachers
Purpose:
To provide environmental education
through a two week residential
summer science camp for 32 middle
school students who participate in
the Science and Math Investigative
Learning Experiences (SMILE)
program and to provide
environmental education about water
quality issues to 150 high school
students and 15 high school teachers
in the SMILE Program.
Goals:
• Educate the students about
environmental issues, develop
their critical thinking and
problem solving skills, show
them how scientists work, and
encourage them to consider
environmental science careers.
• Teach students about
environmental health science
and problem solving skills.
• Have students meet
environmental scientists and
40
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Oregon
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Environmental
Education for nigh
School and Middle
School Students
engineers who will discuss their
careers and the education needed
in their fields.
Methods:
• Teach students about scientific
backgrounds and learning skills
such as collection and analysis
of data, from remote sensing
data to field measurements.
• Educate students about student
research projects, conducted in
teams, which address different
factors that influence salmon
health.
• Have students present their
group findings to Oregon State
University faculty, SMILE staff,
and parents.
• Have each student prepare an
individual poster presentation.
• Hold a two day workshop for
SMILE Club teachers to give
scientific background and
specific, hands-on activities.
• Educate students about water
quality issues in after school
science clubs (1998-1999 school
year).
• Exercise "A Water Quality
Simulation for High School
Students" program during
"Challenge Weekend" (April,
1999) at Oregon State
University.
Products/Results:
• High school students learned
about water quality and human
health issues.
• During the challenge, the high
school students worked in
collaborative teams and
increased their skills while
interacting with scientists and
engineers.
• While attending a science camp
elementary students learned
about ecology of pond, meadow
and forest communities.
• Elementary students, working in
field study teams, collected and
analyzed data, conducted field
research, and made a
presentation of their research to
a camp-wide audience.
Challenges:
• Funding issues with the project -
did not hold the two week
middle school camp, instead
worked with elementary
students.
Successes/Strengths:
• The high school students learned
a considerable amount about
environmental and public health
issues. They were exposed to
several career opportunities.
The students practiced
teamwork, and learned how to
draw conclusions from
sometimes incomplete
information. They assimilated
technical, political and practical
information to solve a real-world
problem.
41
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Oregon
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
llands-on Outdoor
Classroom
Opportunities for Local
School Children
Grant Number:
NE-980216-01
Sponsor:
Think Link Discovery Museum
Project Coordinator:
Donna Wyeth
Think Link Discovery Museum
906 Washington Street
La Grande, OR 97850
(541) 975-2040
EPA Funding:
$5,000
FY 1998
Focus:
Water Quality, Wildlife
Target Audience:
250 Students in grades 4-6
Purpose:
To link hands-on outdoor classroom
opportunities with traditional formal
classroom subjects; and to educate
students, teachers, and parents about
major local issues on fish and
wildlife habitat, water quality and
quantity, and land management
curriculum.
Goals:
• Provide hands-on, outdoor
classroom experiences to area
school children.
• Provide education on critical
ecological issues in the area that
often involve difficult land use
management decisions and
resource trade-offs.
Methods:
• Hold pre-field classroom
sessions to introduce students to
the project.
• Take 5 one day field trips to
McCoy Meadows Ranch.
• Hold post-field classroom
sessions to discuss field work
and help students with reports.
Product/Results:
• 250 students were given hands-
on outdoor environmental
education centered around a
theme of riparian habitat.
• Students, teachers, and parents
left with a better understanding
of the critical nature of habitat
protection and a chance to see a
local restoration effort.
• Resource professionals from a
government agency, an
educational service district, two
universities (four different
departments), and tribal staff met
the challenge of educating both
school children and adults in
their areas of expertise.
• Teachers and school support for
outdoor educational
opportunities increased.
Challenges:
• Set time lines and expectations
to better meet the needs of
organizers.
• Enhance current protocols that
lessen the impact of 250 children
on the field site.
42
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Oregon
riands-on Outdoor
Classroom
Opportunities for Local
School Children
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Successes/Strengths:
• Evaluations conducted strongly
suggested that this first attempt
at providing field experience for
such a large group of school
children was very successful.
All participants and presenters
felt that a quality product had
been delivered.
Mumboldt Elementary
School Learning Garden
Grant Number:
NE-980162-01
Sponsor:
Northeast Community Development
Corp. (NECDC)
Project Coordinator:
Cheryl L. Roberts
Northeast Community Development
Corp.
4114 N. Vancouver Ave.
Portland, OR 97217
(503) 282-5482
EPA Funding:
$10,500
FY 1998
Focus:
Wetlands
Target Audience:
Students and Teachers at Humboldt
Elementary School
Purpose:
To initiate a grass-roots effort with
the students and staff of Humboldt
School, NECDC, and other local
organizations for enhancing
environmental stewardship through
hands-on environmental learning
opportunities.
Goals:
• Continue development of a
woodland area for the children
and community of Humboldt.
• Encourage environmental
careers through the development
of "young environmental
stewards" to protect the future of
our natural resources and
wetlands.
• Increase opportunities for hands-on
environmental learning at an
elementary level.
Methods:
• Conduct classroom research on
Oregon specific wetlands and
how to create a simulated
version.
• Take trips to Oregon natural
wetlands and Smith and Bybee
Lake.
• Create a simulated wetland
located within the Humboldt
learning garden through
mapping, research, and
construction of a "Frog Bog"
wetland.
Products/Results:
• Field trips were made to a
greenhouse to learn about plants
and greenhouse environments.
• "Grow lamps" were constructed
43
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Oregon
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
llumboldt Elementary
School Learning Garden
by students; eventually to be
used by students for plant starts.
' Students, teachers, parents, and
volunteers from other local
organizations cleared the site,
tilled the soil, removed
vegetation, and planted the
Humboldt Learning Garden.
1A fair was held to display
classroom projects which
students developed from their
classroom and site experiences
with the learning garden.
Challenges:
• Changes of key personnel.
Successes/Strengths:
• Several of the Humboldt School
teachers have incorporated the
learning garden curriculum into
regular science classes.
• The project has gained city
exposure for the innovative and
collaborative strategies used in
the development of the school-
based, community-supported
environmental learning garden.
Implementation of 4-M
Em*Power Waste
Management Curriculum
to Oregon Youth
Educators
Grant Number:
NE-990710-01
Sponsor:
Oregon 4-H Foundation
Oregon 4-H Center
Project Coordinators:
Virginia Thompson
Oregon 4-H Foundation
Oregon 4-H Center
5390 4-H Road NW
Salem, OR 97304
(503) 371-7920
EPA Funding:
$5,000
FY 1996
Focus:
Waste Management
Target Audience:
6th-9th Grade Youth
Purpose:
To build Oregon's capacity to
educate youth in waste management.
Goals:
• Teach youth how to identify
waste management concerns.
• Create an understanding of how
waste management concerns
become issues.
• Empower youth to take action on
a waste management issue in
their own community.
Methods:
• Hold a nation-wide tele-
conference from the University
of Idaho on January 27, 1996.
• Provide downlink services at
four Oregon Extension offices.
• Train youth volunteers across
Oregon to provide leadership to
the EM*Power program.
• Allow youth to work under the
guidance of an adult leader.
44
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Oregon
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Implementation of 4-11
Em*Power Waste
Management Curriculum
to Oregon Youth
Educators
Products/Results:
• Three EM*Power curriculum
training workshops were offered.
• EM*Power notebooks and tapes
were disseminated.
Challenges:
• Difficulty coordinating
schedules to allow for a pre-
workshop training date for city
officials.
Successes/Strengths:
• Participants indicated that the
workshops were both enjoyable
and informative.
Journey for the Planet
Grant Number:
NE-990741-01
Sponsor:
Central Oregon Environmental
Center Inc.
Project Coordinator:
Peter Geiser
Central Oregon Environmental
Center Inc.
16 NW Kansas Street
Bend, OR 97701
(541) 389-0889
EPA Funding:
$5,000
FY 1996
Focus:
Conservation, Sustainability
Target Audience:
6th Grade Students
Purpose:
To promote the conservation and
enjoyment of Central Oregon's
natural heritage.
Goals:
• Educate children about
sustainable lifestyle practices.
• Provide youth with a step-by-
step workbook to become more
eco-wise consumers.
• Act as a pilot site for the Global
Action Plan and help to develop
a nationally replicable and
deliverable model that can be
used throughout the United
States.
• Promote the program actively
and provide training for school
districts throughout the Pacific
Northwest.
• Make Journey for the Planet a
standard component of all
middle school instruction in the
Bend-LaPine School District.
Methods:
• Deliver Journey for the Planet as
a special curriculum component
for all sixth grade students in the
district.
• Provide in-service training to
teachers.
• Offer open houses for families
45
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Oregon
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Journey for the Planet
and community members at the
end of each 5 week program.
• Form adult Eco-Teams.
Products/Results:
• 39 students received "Earth Hero
Status" which recognized their
efforts to integrate ecologically
sustainable behavior into their
lives.
• Families and communities were
reached at the end of each
program through open houses
that were held.
• A neighborhood Eco-Team was
formed as a result of student
involvement.
Challenges:
• Time constraints on the program
due to other required curriculum.
for 6th grade students.
Successes/Strengths:
• Over 800 children were reached
through the program, with plans
of expansion into surrounding
school districts the following
year.
• Provided teachers with a tool to
educate students through hands-
on activities, which empowered
them to take environmental
action based on their knowledge.
Madison High School
Water Analysis Team
Grant Number:
NE-990886-01
Sponsor:
School District No. 1
Project Coordinator:
Julie Howland
School District No. 1
P.O. Box 3107
Portland, OR 97208
(503) 916-3220
EPA Funding:
$4,840
FY 1997
Focus:
Water Analysis, Water Quality
Target Audience:
150 students and 3 teachers at James
Madison High School
Purpose:
To provide high school students with
an opportunity to build an
understanding of water quality issues
and environmental careers while
having a positive effect on the
community.
Goals:
• Improve students' achievement
in science and provide incentives
for more students to take
additional higher level science
classes.
• Give students the opportunity to
experience hands-on "real"
science while providing a service
to members of the community.
• Broaden students understanding
of environmental issues,
specifically relating to water
quality.
46
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Oregon
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Madison High School
Water Analysis Team
• Expose students to careers in the
natural sciences.
• Build skills in areas of project
management, teamwork,
problem-solving, technology
usage, scientific method, and
communication.
Methods:
• Involve local land and business
owners.
• Sample water of the land owner
and conduct analysis.
• Ensure students understand the
science used within each water
testing kit and have the ability to
analyze samples.
Products/Results:
• Eight biology classes were
involved in the water analysis
program.
• Water-testing kits were
purchased.
• Throughout the year, 4-8 trips
were taken to collect samples.
• Students presented data/analysis
in a formal report to the owner in
the spring.
Challenges:
• Recruiting a nursery operation as
a client.
Successes/Strengths:
• Students enjoyed the program
and indicated an intent in taking
higher level science classes.
• All clients asked the students to
continue their monitoring.
Several have requested
additional or more extensive data
on a particular parameter.
McKenzie Sustainable
Watersheds
Environmental
Education Program
Development Project
Grant Number:
NE-990888-01
Sponsor:
McKenzie School District No. 68
Project Coordinator:
Jim Fanning
McKenzie School District No. 68
51187 Blue River Drive
Finn Rock, OR 97413
(541) 822-3315
Focus:
Environmental Education
Target Audience:
8-10 teachers and staff from
McKenzie School District
Purpose:
Analyze and enhance the
environmental education program
within the school district.
Goals:
• Develop and implement pilot
projects to test strategies at the
EPA Funding;
$14,000
FY 1997 U.S. EPA Headquarters Library programmatic and instructional
Mail code 3201 level-
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington DC 20460 47
-------
Oregon
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
McKenzie Sustainable
Watersheds
Environmental
Education Program
Development Project
• Design performance
assessments.
Methods:
• Bring teachers and community
partners together in a
collaborative effort to design an
environmental studies program.
Products/Results:
• A three day teacher workshop
occurred, during which teachers
learned how to write
environmental education units.
• A follow-up training was held,
and each teacher wrote an
environmental education unit to
be taught the following year.
• Developed science units
provided a significant portion of
the curriculum the following
year in grades K-6.
Successes/Strengths:
• Team with peers led to
continuity within the
environmental education project.
• Students' watershed vocabulary
increased as a result of the new
curriculum.
• Students were more involved
with the new hands-on science
projects.
• Teachers reported having a
better understanding of what a
science unit should contain.
Naturescaping for
Clean Rivers
Grant Number:
NE-990706-01
Sponsor:
City of Gresham
Department of Environmental
Services
Project Coordinator:
Amy Cortes
Department of Environmental
Services
1550 NW Eastman Parkway
Suite 175
Gresham, OR 97030
(503) 669-2657
EPA Funding:
$5,000
FY 1996
Focus:
Water Quality
Target Audience:
Adults (Streamside Property Owners)
Purpose:
To improve water quality through
changes in the urban yard and
garden.
Goals:
• Prevent pollution and improve
wildlife habitat.
• Involve community members in
native landscaping.
• Reduce reliance on water,
fertilizers, pesticides, and
energy.
48
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Oregon
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Naturescaping for
Clean Rivers
Methods:
• Identify and involve community
members and volunteer groups
to promote Naturescaping for
Clean Rivers workshops.
• Host workshops.
• Recruit and train neighborhood
volunteers to participate in
demonstration site projects.
• Plant native plant species
throughout the city.
Products/Results:
• In addition to a post-workshop
evaluation, a starting point
survey concerning the gardens of
the participants was developed.
• Four detailed workshops were
held that included classroom
instruction on the individual's
impact on water quality;
discussion with a landscape
architect, which enabled the
participants to ask specific
questions about their gardens;
and field trips to demonstration
sites allowing participants to see
a naturescaped yard.
• A overview book Naturescaping
for Clean Rivers was produced
and distributed to all workshop
participants.
Successes/Strengths:
• Promotion of the workshop by
local agencies and businesses.
• Four workshops had 78
participants who returned very
positive evaluations.
• 240 volunteers were involved in
planting and maintaining native
plants throughout the city.
• The dedicated work of
volunteers significantly reduced
the cost of the program.
Orlo-The Garbage Gurus
Grant Number:
NE-990885-01
Sponsor:
Orlo
Project Coordinator:
Pete DuBois
Orlo
P.O. Box 10342
Portland, OR 97296
(503) 242-2330
EPA Funding:
$5,000
FY 1997
Focus:
Watersheds, Coho Salmon
Target Audience:
10,000 students and 750 teachers in
rural middle schools
Purpose:
To travel to seven northwest
watersheds, educating students and
teachers about the importance of
watersheds through musical
multimedia performances.
49
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Oregon
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Orlo The Garbage Gurus
Goals:
• To educate students, teachers
and the public about human
health threats from
environmental pollution.
• To link schools with community
based organizations and media to
educate the public about
environmental issues in their
community watershed.
• To hold student workshops to
encourage environmental
careers.
Methods:
• Show the importance of
watersheds through a musical
multimedia performance.
• Hold post-performance
workshops to discuss the
presentation, what can be done
to help the environment, and
answer questions.
• Set up a home page where daily
journal entries are posted, thus
allowing students to follow the
entire trip.
Products/Results:
• The group traveled to
elementary/middle schools from
Southern Washington to
Northern California, educating
students about the importance of
watersheds in the life cycle of
coho salmon.
• Workshops were held after the
performances for discussion and
demonstration with the students.
• A website (www.orlo.org) that
allowed the teachers to e-mail
evaluations and the students to
ask questions was developed.
Challenges:
• Few schools had Internet access,
so they were unable to follow
The Orlo Coho Road Show on
the website.
• Self evaluations indicated the
performance was best suited for
students K-6.
Successes/Strengths:
• The ability to talk about
environmental problems to
communities whose main
employment was timber
extraction, agriculture and cattle
dairy industries.
Salmon Watch
Environmental
Education Program
Grant Number:
NE-980185 -01
Sponsor:
Oregon Trout, Inc.
Project Coordinator:
Rebecca Martin
Oregon Trout, Inc.
117 SW Front Ave.
Portland, OR 97204
(503) 222-9091
50
-------
Oregon
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Salmon Watch
Environmental
Education Program
EPA Funding:
$5,000
FY 1998
Focus:
Salmon, Watershed
Target Audience:
Middle and High School Students,
Teachers, and Citizens
Purpose:
To instill the importance of
watershed stewardship in order to
empower the participants to
contribute to salmon recovery and
watershed restoration through
informed decision making and
community service.
Goals:
• Teach Oregon middle and high
school students and teachers and
their greater communities the
value of their salmon heritage.
• Support abridging the current
Salmon Watch curriculum that is
regularly requested by educators
to be available to the public and
address interdisciplinary and
multicultural expansion in the
curriculum.
Methods:
• Provide training and enhanced
salmon curriculum resources to
110 teachers.
• Provide classroom instruction
and experiential stream side field
trips to more than 3,300
students.
• Recruit and train 400-500
volunteers, resource agency
biologists, and Indian tribal
members to help educate
students.
• Inspire and mobilize thousands
of citizens to participate in
community service projects to
benefit salmon and salmon
habitat.
Products/Results:
• A Middle and High School
Curriculum and Teacher's
Guide was published.
• Salmon Watch worked with 100
teachers and classrooms in the
Willamette Valley and southwest
Oregon. More than 2,500
students attended stream side
field trips and learned from the
Salmon Watch Curriculum in the
classrooms.
Challenges:
• The project was delayed slightly
due to the review by numerous
outside advisors and the work
needed to be done with
volunteers and interns on the
curriculum.
Successes/Strengths:
• The condensed version of the
interdisciplinary, multicultural
curriculum assisted teachers and
students in designing and
implementing their own
watershed service projects.
• The service learning project, a
section of the new teacher's
guide, led to thousand of trees
51
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Oregon
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Salmon Watch
Environmental
Education Program
planted on stream banks and
upland areas and a number of
stream monitoring projects.
Teachers attending watershed
festivals and workshops showed
a great response.
Schoolyard Wildlife
Habitat
Grant Number:
NE-990705-01
Sponsor:
National Wildlife Federation
Western Natural Resource Center
Project Coordinator:
Beth A. Stout
National Wildlife Federation
Western Natural Resource Center
921 SW Morrison
Suite 512
Portland, OR 97205
(503) 222-1429
EPA Funding:
$19,085
FY 1996
Focus:
Wildlife
Target Audience:
Elementary and Middle School
Students
Purpose:
To improve environmental education
teaching skills for teachers, faculty,
and other informal educators through
workshops and hands-on training.
Goals:
• Create schoolyard wildlife
habitats at four Portland-area
schools.
• Train teachers and parents to
integrate use of habitats into the
overall school curriculum.
• Write and distribute a workbook
for teachers and schools on how
to create school yard wildlife
habitats.
Methods:
• Give a one day hands-on
orientation and how-to workshop
at the beginning of the project.
• Provide one volunteer naturalist
to each school to assist teachers,
parents, and students with the
project.
• Offer ongoing assistance to
schools.
Products/Results:
• Two teacher/parent volunteer
training workshops were held.
• A "How-To Workbook" was
produced.
• Urban wildlife habitats in four
Portland-area schools were built.
Challenges:
• Timing was a problem in
scheduling teacher training.
52
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Oregon
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Schoolyard Wildlife
Habitat
Successes/Strengths
• Enthusiastic involvement of
volunteers, parents, and local
businesses.
• Positive feedback from
participating students and
teachers.
Sharing the Wealth:
Qroundwater, Oregon's
Buried Treasure
Grant Number:
NE-990740-01
Sponsor:
Oregon Groundwater Association
Project Coordinators:
Nancy Sippel
Oregon Groundwater Association
4130 SW 117th #465
Beaverton, OR 97005
(503) 390-7080
EPA Funding:
$4,900
FY 1996
Focus:
Ground-water Quality
Target Audience:
Middle and High School Students
Purpose:
To improve the environmental
education teaching skills of teachers
and students and provide a basis for
schools to develop unique strategies
for their own community outreach
component.
Goals:
• Develop and distribute high-
quality, interactive educational
ground-water kits called "Buried
Treasure Chests."
• Sponsor a one-day teacher
workshop to demonstrate use of
the materials in the treasure
chests.
• Encourage students to teach their
peers and other members of their
community about the need for
ground-water protection.
Methods:
- Share materials between
classrooms.
• Have student participants in
older grades serve as ground-
water guides for younger
students by doing presentations,
demonstrating the ground-water
model, and conducting nitrate
tests.
• Make a list of "where to locate
resources and materials"
available to other schools,
agencies, and community
groups.
• Promote the program at the 1997
Oregon Children's Ground-water
Festival.
Products/Results:
• A tip sheet of suggestions and
comments was created.
• "Ground-water treasure chests"
were developed and distributed
to six schools, and used for
ground-water testing and
experimentation.
53
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Oregon
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Sharing the Wealth:
Groundwater, Oregon's
Buried Treasure
• A ground-water training
workshop was held for
participating educators to learn
more about ground-water from
experts, and learn about the
materials provided in the
"ground-water treasure chests."
Challenges:
• The development of community-
based ground-water protection
projects was not successfully
implemented due to time
restraints.
• The project evaluation
questionnaires were not
particularly helpful.
• Teachers showed little interest in
finding speakers to talk to the
classes about ground-water.
Successes/Strengths:
• The workshop gave the
educators a chance to network
with other educators and learn
what types of projects they were
working on.
Sherwood Sustainable
Community Education
Initiative Project
Grant Number:
NE-990887-01
Sponsor:
Sherwood School District 88J
Project Coordinators:
Janet Bechtold
Sherwood School District
23295 South Sherwood Blvd.
Sherwood, OR 97140
(503) 625-8126
EPA Funding:
$11,130
FY 1997
Focus:
Sustainable Community
Target Audience:
8-10 teachers, 150 5th-12th students
Purpose:
To promote interdisciplinary
environmental education by
developing a model that is
reproducible, demonstrating the
benefits of sustainable development
and fostering partnership between
schools, environmental groups,
businesses, and government.
Goals:
• Promote interdisciplinary
environmental education in ways
that directly apply studies and
connect students to their
community.
• Demonstrate benefits of
sustainable development by
developing projects that show
how economic, ecological and
social issues can be managed to
improve the environment.
• Develop a model that is
reproducible or adaptable to
other school districts or youth
groups.
54
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Oregon
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Sherwood Sustainable
Community Education
Initiative Project
Methods:
• Hold a teacher training
workshop for a pilot group of 8-
10 teachers that provides
information on innovative
environmental and sustainability
education trends and curricula
being used through the region
and nation.
• Develop pilot projects based on
methodology and training that
involve students and community/
environmental groups.
• Implement 2-3 pilot projects to
test effectiveness of proposed
methodology.
Products/Results:
• A sustainability handbook for
teachers was produced.
• Three workshops were held for
participating teachers.
Challenges:
• There was so much rain, the
students didn't spend as much
time in the park as planned.
• Evaluation sheets were not
returned in a timely manner.
• Hard to get the teachers to
understand the difference
between a sustainability project
and an environmental education
project. Even after a full-day
workshop devoted to teaching
the concepts of sustainability and
examples of how to put a project
together, a number of the first
round submitted projects did not
specifically address
sustainability.
Successes/Strengths:
• Students enjoyed applying
classroom learning to fun and
innovative projects in their own
backyard.
• 80 students visited the World
Forestry Center and were invited
again in the 1998-99 school year
for a free field trip because of
their good behavior in the center.
• The students really understood
the concepts of sustainability and
could apply them to real world
problems.
South Santiam Water
Quality Monitoring
Program
Grant Number:
NE-990889-01
Sponsor:
Linn Soil and Water Conservation
District
South Santiam Watershed Council
Project Coordinator:
Susan Gries
Linn Soil and Water Conservation
District
South Santiam Watershed Council
33630 McFarland Road
Tangent, OR 97386
(541) 967-5927
55
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Oregon
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
South Santiam Water
Quality Monitoring
Program
EPA Funding:
$4,996
FY 1997
Focus:
Water Quality, Watershed
Target Audience:
Citizens living in the South Santiam
Watershed
Purpose:
To collect and analyze data from the
local watershed that can then be used
to educate the community.
Goals:
• To train teachers, students, and
citizens in water quality and
monitoring techniques.
• To provide water quality
information to the public and
government agencies.
• To collect data on chemical,
biological and physical
components on major tributaries
in the South Santiam.
Methods:
• Hold workshops to educate
students, teachers, and citizens
about water quality data
collection and analysis.
• Provide necessary equipment
and supplies used in water
quality monitoring.
• Distribute collected data to local
businesses, citizens, and
agencies.
Products/Results:
• Youth, citizens, and teachers
were educated on water quality
assessment techniques.
• Six citizen volunteer and teacher
trainings were conducted.
• Chemical, biological, and
physical data were collected at
17 sites.
• Training sessions were held in-
class to improve monitoring
techniques.
• Monitoring equipment and
supplies were purchased.
• Areas for voluntary protection,
restoration, and enhancement
projects were identified.
• Information to local citizens and
government agencies was
distributed.
Challenges:
• Some scheduling difficulties
with high school teachers.
• The Department of
Environmental Quality did not
approve testing techniques or set
data standards for volunteer
groups which caused some
skepticism in the test results.
• The fecal coliform bacteria test
was difficult to perform.
Successes/Strengths:
• The goal of monitoring eight
sites regularly was surpassed.
• Teachers, students, and citizens
were all very enthusiastic about
the data collection and analysis.
• Local communities have taken
interest in the project.
56
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Oregon
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Stellar Project
Grant Number:
NE-990883-01
Sponsor:
Milton-Freewater Unified School
District #7
Project Coordinator:
Diane Groff
Milton-Freewater Unified SD #1
138 South Main
Milton-Freewater, OR 97862
(541) 938-5591
EPA Funding:
$4,755
FY 1997
Focus:
Pesticides
Target Audience:
K-12 students, teachers, local
orchardists, and local farmers
Purpose:
Enable students to extend their
research out of the classroom,
applying their knowledge to help
local farmers find alternatives to
pesticides.
Goals:
• Give K-12 students the
opportunity to apply their
scientific knowledge.
• Give K-12 students the
opportunity to see job
opportunities in scientific fields.
• Apply information gathered by
students to find environmentally
friendly alternatives to pesticides
at local farms and orchards.
Methods:
• Create a partnership with local
growers, so the students' results
can be applied.
• Allow students to design,
develop, and create their own
projects.
Products/Results:
• Students conducted experiments
that led to the successful
prediction of leafminer
populations, an insect that
damages crops. This data
allowed farmers to significantly
reduce pesticide use.
• K-5 students experimented with
bean plants, finding their most
successful growth environment.
• A high school student designed
and built a mite-brushing
machine, in which mites could
be collected and counted.
• A group of students
experimented with native grasses
finding those that grow most
successfully in various
conditions.
57
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Oregon
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Stellar Project
Challenges:
• One project was abandoned due
to inadequate funding.
• Students found that mites thrive
in temperatures lower than those
available in the greenhouses.
Successes/Strengths:
• STELLAR project earned
recognition from scientists,
growers, and community leaders
throughout the region.
• Students enjoyed the ability to
apply their knowledge.
Water Quality
Monitoring Partnership
with Middle School in
the Santiam River
Watershed
Grant Number:
NE-980160-01
Sponsor:
Oregon Watersheds
Project Coordinator:
Sue Johnston
Oregon Watersheds
P.O. Box 18361
Salem, OR 97305
(541) 926-7245
EPA Funding:
$1,385
FY 1998
Focus:
Water Quality
Target Audience:
Students, Teachers, and Community
Members
Purpose:
To provide equipment, training, and
field support for teachers to advance
education reform goals in
communities.
Goals:
• Build capacity for rural, low
income, and financially impacted
schools to use environmental
education to advance education
reform goals.
• Improve teaching skills through
training and networking with
other teachers.
• Teach students how water
quality impacts human health.
Methods:
• Provide equipment, supplies,
training, and professional
support for students and
teachers.
• Send data to Oregon Department
of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
for use by local landowners
within the watershed, as well as,
government agencies.
• Share information about the
watershed and its impact on
human health with their
community.
Products/Results:
• All equipment and chemicals
were provided in the fall of
1998.
• Teacher training for water
quality testing procedures was
completed.
58
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Oregon
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Water Quality
Monitoring Partnership
with Middle School in
the Santiam River
Watershed
• Students practiced testing in
the classroom and then
visited the site for sample
collection and testing.
• Networking and supporting
workshops were held.
Challenges:
• Data was not submitted to
DEQ due to an equipment
problem which impacted data
collection for part of the year
that had to be resolved.
Successes/Strengths:
• 115 students, 8 teachers, 12+
volunteers, and 5 professional
support people were involved
directly.
• The project was expanded to
include stream side rehabilitation
work and fish raising projects.
The project was recognized with
an award at the Science Fair.
• The network of teachers
interested in the watershed is
growing, and more teachers are
contacting the council for help.
Water Workshop Series
for Teachers
Grant Number:
NE-990890-01
Sponsor:
Portland State University
Center for Science Education
Project Coordinator:
Julie Magers
Portland State University
Center for Science Education
P.O. Box 751
Portland, OR 97207
(503) 752-8288
EPA Funding:
$19,181
FY 1997
Focus:
Water Quality
Target Audience:
K-12 educators throughout Oregon
and Southwest Washington
Purpose:
To provide a leadership and
facilitating role for the improvement
of science education.
Goals:
• Increase frequency and quality
of education resources in
schools.
• Facilitate teacher and student
access to water education
programs in the community.
Methods:
• Provide K-12 educators with 3-4
days of workshops, in-service,
and curriculum program training
on water and environmental
issues.
• Provide a book Water and
Networking Notebook that can be
used throughout the year.
59
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Oregon
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Water Workshop Series
for Teachers
Products/Results:
• A fall in-service training took
place where teachers received
educational materials and tools.
• Additional support and resources
were provided throughout the
year for teachers who wished it.
Challenges:
• Too much packed into the day.
• Needed more hands-on and less
lecturing.
• Too few teachers for one of the
planned activities.
Successes/Strengths:
• Participating teachers learned
and benefitted from the
workshops.
• Many teachers successfully
incorporated the information into
classrooms and connected with
various community partners.
Watershed £ forest
Health Education
Program
Grant Number:
NE-990685-01
Sponsor:
La Grande High School
Science Department
Project Coordinator:
Dolores Carmichael
La Grande High School
Science Department
708 "K" Avenue
La Grande, OR 97850
(541) 963-1969
EPA Funding:
$13,167
FY 1996
Focus:
Watershed, Forest Health
Target Audience:
La Grande High School Students
Purpose:
To implement a watershed/forest
health program that builds state or
local capacity to deliver
environmental education programs
by identifying and assessing needs as
well as implementing an outdoor
laboratory program at the high
school level.
Goals:
• Educate high school students in
biological, political, and social
issues involved in watershed and
forest management.
• Gather and compile data from
Sheep and Rebarrow Creek.
• Create restoration and
enhancement projects for the
watershed and forest study sites.
60
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Oregon
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Watershed £ Forest
Health Education
Program
Methods:
• Conduct an aquatic inventory
study at Sheep Creek.
• Facilitate vegetative surveys and
stand analysis at the Rebarrow
Experimental Forest.
• Have students develop
restoration and enhancement
plans for the Sheep Creek
Watershed and Rebarrow
Experimental Forest.
• Develop high quality natural
resources Certificate of
Advanced Mastery Program with
La Grande High School as
defined by the Oregon
Educational Act for the 21st
Century.
Prod ucts/Res u Its:
• Surveys and experimentation
were carried out by La Grande
High School students at Sheep
Creek and Five Points Creek in
Reborrow Experimental Forest.
• Surveys collected ranged from
invertebrate to soil, stream, pre-
forestation and fish.
• Students planted 2,000
ponderosa pines and 1,000
western larch seedlings.
• 35 high school science students
and 35 local first grade students
assisted with summer steelhead
spawning at Wallowa Hatchery.
• Survey science students
produced the publication
Rebarrow Experimental Forest,
Student Research Projects.
Challenges:
• The GIS (Geographic
Information System) software
that students used could not
make the proper format for
mapping the stream survey data
from Sheep Creek at Rebarrow.
Assistance from the U.S.
Department of Agriculture
Forest Service is working to
ensure that the data is in the
proper format.
Successes/Strengths:
• Based on the data collected and
analyzed, vegetation restoration
and enhancement projects were
developed for forest sites.
61
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Washington
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
An Arboretum and
Wildlife llabitat
Grant Number:
NE-990894-01
Sponsor:
Central Basin Audubon Society
Project Coordinator:
Joye Lucas
Central Basin Audubon Society
2129 South Belair Drive
Moses Lake, WA 98837
(509) 765-1909
EPA Funding:
$3,348
FY 1997
Focus:
Forest Ecosystems
Target Audience:
Students at Lakeview Elementary
School
Purpose:
To construct an arboretum and
wildlife habitat on the Lakeview
School grounds for observing and
investigating the relationships
between birds and other wildlife.
Goals:
• Create a wildlife habitat at
Lakeview School.
• Develop strategies and models
with teachers, students, and
parents.
• Enable students to observe,
investigate, draw conclusions,
and solve problems concerning
the habitat.
Methods:
• Hold workshops provided by a
wildlife biologist, a refuse
manager, a plant nursery owner,
master gardeners, and Audubon
members.
• Produce a habitat report
biannually to ensure its upkeep
and needs.
Products/Results
• Two training workshops were
offered to the teachers regarding
local birds and its habitat.
• Two presentations were made to
students to discuss the habitat
and their role in it.
• Four 1-2 hour sessions of hands-
on activities (testing soil,
preparing soil, planting, etc.)
were given in preparation for the
habitat.
• The Lakeview habitat was
successfully completed,
• A tip sheet was produced.
Challenges:
• Construction vehicles leaked
diesel onto the soil which caused
some problems.
• The artificial creek leaked
somewhat but was repaired.
• Habitat and the school lawns
were on the same sprinkler
system, which was inadequate.
Successes/Strengths:
• The wildlife habitat was
extremely successful to
generating enthusiasm
throughout the school and
community.
63
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Washington
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Bainbridge Island
Wildlife Corridor Study
Grant Number:
NE-990916-01
Sponsor:
Bainbridge Island School District
Project Coordinator:
Brent Peterson
Bainbridge Island School District
8489 Madison Avenue NE
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
(206) 780-1067
EPA Funding:
$15,000
FY 1997
Focus:
Ecosystem Education
Target Audience:
4-12th grade teachers and students
Purpose:
To develop and integrate a
community and school-based
education program with the City of
Bainbridge Island and Bainbridge
Island's Land Trust's process of
identifying and preserving an island-
wide wildlife habitat corridor.
Goals:
• Develop an understanding of
Bainbridge Island wildlife
corridor preservation efforts
among students and adult
residents.
• Develop the skills and
knowledge to characterize the
wildlife habitat being considered
for preservation.
• Monitor the watersheds for
physical, biological, and
chemical parameters.
• Develop problem-solving and
decision-making techniques with
students through action-research
projects.
• Integrate the school-community-
based watershed watch program
with the city's current watershed
management implementation
plan to support the outreach and
education components of the
plan.
• Integrate Watersheds and
Wildlife Corridor Study with
state education reform efforts.
Methods:
• Reach audiences through
training workshops, field based
data gathering, interpretation and
communication of data through
the media, and exhibits at public
events.
• Plan and conduct action projects
to solve environmental
problems.
Products/Results:
• Sixth grade teachers were
provided resources to teach
students about wildlife corridor
and data collection process.
• During an All Island Monitoring
Day; students, teachers, officials,
and private citizens gathered
together to test water quality at
several key sites around the
Island.
64
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Washington
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Bainbridge Island
Wildlife Corridor Study
Two students, along with the
Nature Mapping coordinator,
were asked to present the project
at the National Nature Mapping
Conference held in Silverdale,
WA. They presented an
overview of the program and
how the students collected and
processed the data.
A small group of 6th grade
students presented the Nature
Mapping Experiences and
compiled data from the eight
Nature Mapping sites to the
Bainbridge Island Parks and
Recreation Board and public in
attendance.
Challenges:
• The data entry software did not
work for many reasons.
Successes/Strengths:
• The Nature Mapping and
monitoring activities were
institutionalized into the sixth
and seventh grade curriculum.
• Partnerships were developed
between government agencies,
community organizations, and
schools.
Blue Mountain
Demonstration Forest
Grant Number:
NE-990683-01
Sponsor:
Blue Mountain Demonstration Forest
Project Coordinator:
Jack L. Waud
Blue Mountain Demonstration Forest
P.O. Box 3143
Port Angeles, WA 98362
(360) 683-3282
EPA Funding:
$5,000
FY 1996
Focus:
Forest Ecosystem
Target Audience:
Elementary School Students
Purpose:
To increase the capacity of the
Sequim and Port Angeles School
Districts and the Blue Mountain
Demonstration Forest to provide
environmental education for
elementary students.
Goals:
• Develop an education program
about forest ecosystems and
modern forest practices for
elementary school students.
• Implement the program in the
Port Angeles and Sequim School
Districts, using the Blue
Mountain Demonstration Forest
as the field site for outdoor
studies.
• Train teachers to use the
curriculum and access the forest.
65
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Washington
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Blue Mountain
Demonstration Forest
Methods:
• Designate "master teachers" to
develop the curriculum program
and test the model.
• Use an integrated program
including math, science, history,
geography, and language arts.
• Tie classroom learning to
practical applications.
Products/Results:
• Two curriculum models were
developed: one targeting third
graders, and the other
establishing a one day, three year
outdoor education program for
students in the third-fifth grades.
• Curriculum was tested and
implemented in 21 classes from
six schools.
Challenges:
• Administration and staff
changes.
• Difficulty acquiring the needed
funding due to budget cutbacks.
Successes/Strengths:
• The project successfully worked
with both public and private
schools.
• Three schools took three trips to
the forest, involving 100 parents
chaperoning, 39 teachers, and
450 students.
• Curriculum was largely
successful and will be continued
the following year.
Danger and Danger
Household Detective
66
Grant Number:
NE-980174-01
Sponsor:
Kitsap County
Dept. of Public Works
Project Coordinator:
Gretchen Olsen
Kitsap County
Dept. of Public Works
614 Division Street MS-27
Port Orchard, WA 98366
(360) 895-3931
EPA Funding:
$5,000
FY 1998
Focus:
Hazardous Waste
Target Audience:
Grade 2-6
Purpose:
To encourage personal responsibility
for proper waste management among
members of the general public,
business community, and
government.
Goals:
• Educate children about the
dangers of hazardous household
products.
• Explore proper disposal methods
and safe alternatives to
commonly used hazardous
products.
• Increase distribution of
household hazardous waste
education program.
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Washington
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Danger and Danger
Household Detective
Methods:
• Teach students about hazardous
household products that can hurt
people as well as the
environment using the developed
"Danger and Danger Household
Detectives" workbook.
• Distribute activity books to
citizens as well as students and
teachers.
Products/Results:
• A workbook entitled "Danger
and Danger Household
Detectives" and a leader's kit
were distributed.
• Supplemental materials
including a Battery Barn
Coloring and Information Sheet,
an Amazing Environmental
Guessing Game, and Tom
Tomato's Clean Water
Gardening Tips were developed
to meet the request for materials
on decomposition, compost,
worm bins, and gardening.
Challenges:
• Trying to have new groups
involved in the program.
Successes/Strengths:
• The program is widely accepted
and utilized by Campfire and
Girl Scout groups throughout the
area. Troops in Kitsap, King,
Snohomish, Island, Whatcom,
Pierce, and Mason counties have
used the program as well as two
troops in California and one in
Oregon.
• Several home school parents
have included the materials in
their curriculum, and two
students used the concepts in
their science fair projects.
• The Central Kitsap School
District has adopted the program
as supplemental science material
for fourth grade.
• More than 5,000 were contacted
at the following events: Kid's
Day at the Fire Station, Kid's
Day at Boardwalk, Cub Scout
Pow Wow, Olalla Bluegrass
Festival, Kid's Day America,
Kitsap County Fair and Rodeo,
Harrison Hospital, and
classroom presentations.
Eastern Washington
Teacher Workshop
Grant Number:
NE-990684-01
Sponsor:
Washington State Department of
Ecology
Air Quality Program
Project Coordinator:
Christine Sund
Washington State Department of
Ecology
Air Quality Program
(Eastern Washington Office)
P. O. Box 47600
Olympia, WA 98504
(509) 454-7845
67
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Washington
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Eastern Washington
Teacher Workshop
EPA Funding:
$5,000
FY 1996
Focus:
Air Quality
Target Audience:
Teachers
Purpose:
To train teachers in selected rural
schools in air quality issues and ways
of teaching air pollution awareness
using the air quality section in the A
Way With Waste curriculum.
Goals:
• Organize and conduct three
teacher workshops.
• Train 15-20 teachers at each
workshop.
• Pay for teacher substitutes.
• Reach about 900-1,200 students.
• Conduct follow-up outreach with
the teachers.
Methods:
• Work with local air authorities,
educational service districts, and
county solid waste departments.
• Incorporate air quality education
into the existing curriculum.
• Encourage a hands-on approach
to learning.
• Provide clear and concise
background information on air
quality issues.
Products/Results:
• Workshops were completed in
Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas,
Kennewick, and Franklin
County.
• Teachers were provided with
extensive "A Way With Waste"
curriculum which addresses
waste reduction and recycling as
well as air quality issues.
Challenges:
• With the project manager
leaving, fewer workshops were
held than originally planned.
Successes/Strengths:
• Attendees particularly
appreciated the experiments
geared toward all levels of
classrooms, since all grade levels
were represented in the
workshops.
68
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Washington
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Educating for Action on
Puget Sound
Grant Number:
NE-990686-01
Sponsor:
Salish Sea Discovery Center
Project Coordinator:
Katherine Murphy
Salish Sea Discovery Center
9948 Shorty Campbell Road
Kingston, WA 98346
(360)297-2512
EPA Funding:
$5,000
FY 1996
Focus:
Water Quality
Target Audience:
7th-12th Grade Students
Purpose:
To promote environmental careers
among students and educate
community members through local
organizations.
Goals:
• Involve 1,200 7th-12th grade
students in researching and
taking action on 40 issues facing
the quality of Puget Sound
waters.
• Allow students to experience
scientific careers through
participation in daily tasks of
those fields.
• Have young adults meet and
have discussions with
community groups.
Methods:
• Teach the program both in the
classroom and on a student-
operated sailing research vessel.
• Supply teachers with resources
and logistical materials.
• Give students opportunities to
experience potential careers in
ecology, marine science,
oceanography, education,
environmental science, nautical
science, and resource
management.
Products/Results:
• Group scheduling was begun.
• Lesson plans were developed.
• Student operation manuals were
created.
• Teacher packets and contracts
were drafted.
Challenges:
• Raise adequate funds to ensure
that the program can continue.
• Decide on the most effective
method of presentation to
perspective participants.
• Getting teachers committed on a
time consuming project.
Successes/Strengths:
• The expedition ship was
completed and other materials
were developed. More teachers
and students expressed interest
in participation.
69
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Washington
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Environmental
Education for City
Council Members from
Small Towns
Grant Number:
NE-990893-01
Sponsor:
Local Government Institute
Project Coordinator:
Don Morrison
Local Government Institute
4009 Bridgeport Way West, Suite E
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 565-6253
EPA Funding:
$5,000
FY 1997
Focus:
Environmental Education
Target Audience:
Local elected and appointed officials
Purpose:
To take existing environmental
information and use it to educate
members of the city council and
planning commission members in
small towns.
Goals:
• Build the capacity of local
community officials to make
environmentally-friendly
decisions that affect the
environment.
Methods:
• Identify and compile existing
environmental information into a
training manual that is adaptable
to the environmental education
needs of local community
officials.
• Sponsor initial "pilot training"
workshop to test the curriculum
on the target audience.
Products/Results:
• Two manuals entitled
Environmental Decision
Making: A Study Guide for Local
Officials and Environmental
Decision Making in Local
Government: Training
' Facilitator's Guide were
produced.
• A pilot training workshop for
local officials was held.
Successes/Strengths:
• The Study Guide helped the
officials to understand the
various beliefs and values people
have about the environment and
make further investigation into
environmental issues.
70
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Washington
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Tamily Science Career
Awareness Workshops
Grant Number:
NE-990910-01
Sponsor:
Pacific Science Center
Mercer Slough Environmental
Education Program
Project Coordinator:
Bill Fischelis
Sally Armbrecht
Pacific Science Center
2000 Second Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 450-0207
EPA Funding:
$5,000
FY 1997
Focus:
Environmental Career Awareness
Target Audience:
Low-income and culturally diverse
girls, ages 6 to 12, and their parents
Purpose:
To offer a new program designed
specifically for under privileged
populations.
Goals:
• Increase participants' awareness
of environmental science careers
for females, low-income and
culturally diverse populations.
• Allow participants to explore a
wetland, thereby changing their
knowledge, perception, and
attitude.
• Provide opportunity for
participants with the critical
thinking, problem solving, and
decision making skills to weigh
various sides of an
environmental issue.
Methods:
• Offer Family Science Career
Awareness Workshops.
• Provide two opportunities for
participants to explore a wetland
environment and the animals that
live there.
• Provide 30 scholarships to low-
income participants.
• Team campers up with their
parents to investigate a wide
range of environmental topics.
Products/Results:
• Two new Family Science Career
Awareness Workshops were
developed and designed
specifically for low-income
children ages 6-12.
• 35 scholarships were provided.
• The Center provided Girl Scouts
with the opportunity to interact
with female science educators.
• Pre and post program attitude
questionnaires and a Tip-Sheet
were developed.
Successes/Strengths:
• Participants unanimously felt the
workshop met their expectations.
• Participants became more
interested in science.
71
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Washington
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Hooding Wetlands as
Toci for Lessons
Grant Number:
NE-990896-01-0
Sponsor:
Pullman School District #267
City of Pullman
Project Coordinator:
Stewart S. Higgins
Pullman School District #267
Larry and Hall Drive
Pullman, WA 99163
(509) 332- 3581
EPA Funding:
$4,800
FY 1997
Focus:
Wetlands
Target Audience:
Students and Teachers in Pullman
School District #267
Purpose:
To bring wetland education into
schools, allowing students to apply
their knowledge to directly impact a
local wetland.
Goals:
• Use wetlands, flood plains, and
streams as a foci for educational
integration in the fields of
biology, agriculture, math,
language arts, geography, civics,
and technology.
• Restore a severely degraded
wetland to its pre-disturbance,
self-sustaining form and
function.
Methods:
• Educate teachers about wetlands
and improve environmental
education through a series of
seven workshops.
• Give students first hand
experience in environmental
careers by actively engaging
them in the resolution of a real
world environmental issue.
• Conduct vegetation analysis and
field survey techniques in re-
building the wetland.
Products/Results:
• A third grade class submitted its
report on vegetation to the City
of Pullman. The report was
accepted without revision and
used by a developer hired to do
mitigation.
• A sixth grade class mapped a
wetland. Their map was used by
the Washington State University
Architecture class in its
presentation to the City.
• Fourth and fifth grade classes,
two high school biology classes,
and four scout troops
participated in various stages of
a wetland restoration.
• Four workshops were held
addressing wetland ecology.
Challenges:
• Time constraints within the
classroom.
• The workshop was poorly
attended.
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Washington
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Hooding Wetlands as
Toci for Lessons
Successes/Strengths:
• Students, teachers, and parents
loved the project.
Students were proud of their
projects.
The community recognized the
students' work and publicized
the wetland restoration.
Torest Ecology Teacher
Training Project
Grant Number:
NE-990-779-01
Sponsor:
Steilacoom Historical School District
Saltar's Point Elementary School
Project Coordinator:
Kristina Sullivan
Steilacom Historical School District
S altar's Point Elementary School
908 Third Street
Steilacoom, WA 98388
(253) 582-2802
EPA Funding:
$4,796
FY 1996
Focus:
Forest Ecology
Target Audience:
Elementary School Students
Purpose:
To improve environmental education
teaching skills for teachers and para-
educators by revising the current
environmental education curriculum
and incorporating Project GREEN
(Global Rivers Environmental
Education Network) into a program
of study for grades 3-5.
Goals:
• Create a school-wide, sequential
environmental education
curriculum.
• Provide in-service training to
teachers in the study of local
forest ecology.
• Communicate teacher expertise
to the entire student body.
Methods:
• Train both in the classroom and
through guided tours of specific
sites.
• Utilize guest speakers.
• Provide teachers with time to
integrate Project GREEN into
the existing curriculum.
• Have each classroom of students
spend at least one day in the
field doing hands-on
investigations.
Product/Results:
• Teachers at Saltar's Point
Elementary School participated
in on-site seminars from October
of 1996 through June of 1998 to
broaden the school's
environmental education.
• Informative, enjoyable field trips
were conducted for the third
through sixth graders to sites of
environmental significance (Mt.
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1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
forest Ecology Teacher
Training Project
Rainier, Nisqually Wildlife
Refuge, and Pack Forest).
• A tip sheet was created.
• Pre and post tests were given to
both teachers and students to
measure significant attitude
changes regarding environmental
issues as a result of the training
and the field trips.
Challenges:
• Generating parent and
community involvement.
Successes/Strengths:
• Class interest in the environment
was generated, prompting all the
participating grade levels to
expand their lessons on
environmental issues in future
years.
• After the training, teachers felt
more comfortable taking their
classes out into the field.
f UN: rinding Urban
Nature
Grant Number:
NE-990778-01
Sponsor:
Seattle Audubon Society
Project Coordinator:
Christine Peterson
Seattle Audubon Society
Finding Urban Nature
8050 35th Avenue NE
Seattle, WA 98115
(206) 523-8243
EPA Funding:
$5,000
FY 1996
Focus:
General Environmental Education
Target Audience:
3rd and 4th Grade Students
Purpose:
To develop an informed public who
accepts responsibility for the
condition of the environment.
Goals:
• Expose and excite children about
nature and science in their own
community.
• Provide teachers with
opportunities for children to
explore nature.
• Engage community volunteers
in the life of their neighborhood
schools.
Methods:
• Train parents and other
volunteers to lead small groups
through hands-on nature related
activities.
• Conduct explorations on school
grounds.
• Base explorations on the
Outdoor Biological Instructional
Strategies,
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1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
f UN: rinding Urban
Nature
Products/Results:
• The FUN program took place in
24 schools, reaching over 1,500
students and 155 volunteers.
• Two workshops were conducted.
Each were 3.5 hours long to train
volunteers in the discovery
method of outdoor education.
• Materials and tools were
developed during the discovery
activities using the "Outdoor
Biological Instruction
Strategies" curriculum with
inner city Seattle Public School
elementary students.
• Students learned many new field
investigation techniques.
Successes/Strengths:
• Teacher evaluations were very
positive. All participating
teachers wished to continue the
program during the following
school year.
Household Hazardous
Waste Neighborhood
Program
Grant Number:
NE-990899-01
Sponsor:
Yakima Valley Opportunities
Industrialization Center
Project Coordinator:
Mary Jane Vujovic
Yakima Valley Opportunities
Industrialization Center
815 Fruitvale Boulevard
Yakima, WA 98902
(509) 248-6751
EPA Funding:
$4,977
FY 1997
Target Audience:
100 Spanish Speaking adults
Focus:
Household Hazardous Waste
Purpose:
To provide environmental education
to Spanish speaking residents of the
Lower Yakima Valley Rural
Enterprise Community.
Goals:
• Enhance the capacity of the
Lower Yakima Valley Rural
Enterprise Community to
develop and deliver
environmental education
programs.
• Improve public education among
Spanish speaking adults about
local environmental issues,
thereby advancing human health
and environmental justice.
Methods:
• Train five bilingual/bi-cultural
AmeriCorps volunteers to
effectively deliver a household
hazardous waste curriculum to
Spanish speaking adults.
• Train 25 bilingual/bi-cultural
volunteers to continue the
program including students who
can educate their parents.
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Washington
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Household Hazardous
Waste Neighborhood
Program
Products/Results:
• Thirteen AmeriCorps members
were educated to become
trainers.
• The thirteen members conducted
training at evening adult learning
classes in Mabton and Granger.
• At the Kids First After School
Center in Grandview, both
school age youth and parents
attended an evening training on
household hazardous waste.
• Three classes were provided to
the community at the Sunnyside
High School.
Challenges:
• The majority of participants
were either monolingual or
limited in English. Most of the
information had to be verbally
interpreted when necessary into
Spanish for the monolingual
individuals.
Successes/Strengths:
• The class was so informative that
participants became more aware
about issues relating to
hazardous household waste.
Integrating
Telecommunication and
Technologies into
Environmental
Education
Grant Number:
NE-960739-01 / NE-980177-01
Sponsor:
Saint Martin's College
Montesano School District
Elma School District
Project Coordinator:
Huabin Chen
Saint Martin's College
5300 Pacific Avenue SE
Lacey, WA 98503
(360) 438-4344
EPA Funding:
$5,000 FY 1996
$5,000 FY 1998
Focus:
General Environmental Education
Target Audience:
K-8 School Teachers in Montesano
School District
and Elma School District
Purpose:
To develop a core of teacher
leadership to support rural school
districts' use of telecommunication
and other technology within
environmental education at the K-8
grade level.
Goals:
• Foster global awareness and
international cooperation in
addressing environmental issues
through telecommunication.
• Train K-8 school teachers how
to use e-mail and explore
Internet sites related to
environmental education.
• Teach educators how to apply
CD-ROMs, videodiscs,
probeware, and other technology
in environmental education.
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Washington
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Integrating
Telecommunication and
Technologies into
Environmental
Education
Methods:
• Use the Kids Network, a
telecommunication-based 8
week science curriculum
supported by the National
Science Foundation and National
Geographic Society.
• Using the "Kids Network", a
telecommunications-based
science curriculum.
• Have trained teachers form a
leadership group to train other
educators in the program.
Products/Results 96/98:
• In-service training was offered
on August 27 and 28, 1997 for
Elma School District teachers
and on August 17 and 18, 1998
for Montesano School District
teachers. Training included the
following topics and skills:
Environmental Education Issues,
National Geographic Kid's
network, Internet, E-mail,
Environmental Science CD-
ROM, videodisc software, basic
science concepts, and hands-on
experience on setting up and
conducting mini-science
experiments.
Challenges:
For Elma -
• Computer compatibility
problems had to be addressed,
and wrong probeware was
delivered. The trainers were
able to work around these
obstacles.
For Montesano -
• One set of probeware was not
enough for a classroom activity.
• National Geographic Kids
Network only allowed students
to connect to the site in a
specific time period. Sometimes
it was difficult for teachers to
find time to fit this project into
their curriculum.
Successes/Strengths:
• All participants were actively
involved in the activities for the
workshops (Internet, e-mail,
probeware, software,
telecommunications etc.).
• Teachers who participated in the
in-service are sharing their
knowledge/skills with other
teachers in their district schools.
Kitsap County Fair
Oil-Site Agricultural
Composting
Demonstration Project
Grant Number:
NE-980898-01
Sponsor:
Kitsap Conservation District
Project Coordinator:
Carla Pizzano
Kitsap Conservation District
817 Sidney Avenue
Port Orchard, WA 98366
(360) 337-7171
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1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Kitsap County fair
On Site Agricultural
Composting
Demonstration Project
EPA Funding:
$17,051
FY 1997
Focus:
Waste Management
Target Audience:
Live Stock Owners in Kitsap County
and All the Support Services and
Interest Groups Associated with the
Farming Industry
Purpose:
To address water quality impacts
related to livestock waste
management and to create a
awareness of the on-farm and
community benefits of composted
livestock waste.
Goals:
• Provide local jurisdiction
awareness of waste management
issues and solutions during a
high visibility event, the Kitsap
County Fair.
• Create a demonstration exhibit at
the Kitsap County Fair that will
jointly educate the community
and provide on-site management
of the livestock waste generated
at the Fair.
• Solicit the Kitsap County Fair
livestock exhibitors to actively
participate in demonstrating this
waste handling solution.
• Create a nutrient-stable end
product that shows the economic
value of compost as a soil
amendment.
Methods:
• Design and construct a
demonstration compost bin
exhibit that provides an example
of a livestock waste containment
area for individual small farms.
• Design and construct a
permanent composting facility
that provides windrow
composting of up to 400 cubic
yards of livestock waste that is
generated on site during the
Kitsap County Fair.
Products/Results:
• An educational exhibit was
designed and constructed that
demonstrated three small-scale
forms of livestock manure
composting; windrow, bin, and
passive composting.
• An education/information
brochure, "Livestock Waste
Management, a Quick Guide to
Manure Composting", was
published and distributed to
community farmers and fair
attendees.
• The Kitsap County Solid Waste
Department and the District
monitored the windrows for
moisture, temperature, and
composition. A fact sheet was
created for the remaining public
access pile that informs folks
about the nature of the material
and how to handle the aged
manure back at their homes.
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Washington
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Kitsap County Fair
On-Site Agricultural
Composting
Demonstration Project
Challenges:
• Leachate collection trench
capacity was exceeded several
times during the winter rainy
season.
• Security problem at the compost
facility site.
Successes/Strengths:
• The project raised awareness
among the livestock owner
community about the water
quality impacts associated with
improperly handled livestock
waste and offered alternative
waste management solutions.
• A sense of responsibility to
correct problems associated with
livestock waste was created.
• The exhibit and demonstration
areas are now a permanent part
of the Kitsap County Fair.
Meeting Local Needs to
Achieve Regional Goals:
Expanding
Environmental
Education in the Inland
Northwest
Grant Number:
NE-980176-01
Sponsor:
Washington State University (WSU)
Project Coordinator:
Darin Saul
Washington State University
Office of Grant and Research
Development
Pullman, WA 99164
(509) 335-3357
EPA Funding:
$24,713
FY 1998
Focus:
General Environmental Education
Target Audience:
Students and Teachers in
southeastern Washington and
northern Idaho
Purpose:
To build capacity for delivering
environmental education in
southeastern Washington and
northern Idaho
Goals:
• Establish or expand programs in
five areas (southeastern
Washington and northern Idaho).
• Demonstrate an effective method
for implementing a regional
program at the local level.
• Improve teaching skills of pre-
service and in-service teachers
throughout the region.
Methods:
• Conduct an in-depth resource
and needs assessment of each
school and partnership agency
through interviews of teachers,
school administrators, and
personnel at the agencies.
• Hold two workshops at each
location: (1) integrating
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Washington
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Meeting Local Needs to
Achieve Regional Goals:
Expanding
Environmental
Education in the Inland
Northwest
environmental education into the
curriculum and (2) developing
environmental education
curriculum based on field trips
and *an environmental
restoration.
• Create a track in the annual
Landscape Connections
Conference at WSU which
includes workshops for
educators who are not part of the
project.
Products/Results:
• Needs of 69 teachers in the
Pullman, Dayton, Plummer/
Worley, and Clarkston/Asotin
areas were assessed.
• Field macroinvertebrate
samplings were conducted on S.
Fork of the Palouse River, Cow
Creek, and the Tucannon River
for fifth grade students.
• Several meetings were held to
create curriculum to prepare pre-
service teachers to work with the
fifth grade teachers and classes
to facilitate service learning in
the public schools.
• The center provided the Coeur
d'Alene Tribe's Water
Awareness Week (May 3-7) with
hands-on activities focused on
restoration, fisheries, wetland
function, botany, wildlife habitat
assessment, and stewardship.
• A five week curriculum was
developed for the Coeur
d'Alene Tribe for a natural
resources summer program in
June.
• A slide show was presented to
Vivian Werner's first grade class
in Pullman to emphasize the
importance of riparian habitat,
species diversity, caring for the
environment, and identification
of plants and animals.
Challenges:
• Overcoming scheduling and time
constraints of teachers.
Successes/Strengths:
• A network has been established
among individuals interested in
restoration-based environmental
education activities in the region.
• The project advanced
environmental justice by
working with the Coeur d'Alene
Tribe to develop environmental
education serving their
population.
Northwest AirNet
Grant Number:
NE-990711-01
Sponsor:
RE Sources
Project Coordinator:
Carl Weimer
RE Sources
1155 N. State #625
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 733-8307
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Washington
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Northwest AirNet
EPA Funding:
$13,275
FY 1996
Focus:
Air Quality
Target Audience:
High School Science Teachers
Purpose:
To adapt New England's successful
"AirNet" project-based air quality
and atmospheric science curriculum
and dispense it to high schools
throughout a three county area in
Northwest Washington.
Goals:
• Sponsor a teacher in-service
training workshop for Whatcom,
Skagit, and Island County high
school science teachers.
• Assist teachers in using the
curriculum in classrooms to help
students learn to measure and
evaluate air quality and
meteorological parameters.
• Coordinate a year-end
"Congress" at which students
can share the results of their
experiments.
• Improve teaching skills.
Methods:
• Disseminate the "AirNet"
curriculum to a new audience.
• Establish a computer link for
shared information.
• Train teachers in the use of the
"AirNet" curriculum, the
problem-solving model, and the
Northwest AirNet Internet news
group.
• Hold in-class presentations.
Products/Results:
• In-service training was held to
educate teachers about the
"AirNet" curriculum and the
incorporated technology.
• An Internet news-group was set
up which participating students
used to communicate their
research.
• Students presented their
scientific findings at the end-of-
the-year Congress.
• Northwest Air Pollution
Authority gave six in-class
presentations about air-quality
during the quarter.
• A pre-program test and a post-
program test were developed and
used to measure the knowledge
of the participating students.
Challenges:
• Supplying teachers with
necessary technology in a cost-
effective manner.
• Teachers and students both
encountered difficulty when
trying to share information over
the Internet.
Successes/Strengths:
• In-service training workshop for
teachers was well attended and
well received by the participants.
• Eager anticipation for the
continuation and expansion of
the program.
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1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Onalaska School District
ff33O's Environmental
Education Project
Grant Number:
NE-980159-01
Sponsor:
Onalaska School District #330
Project Coordinator:
Robert P. Kraig
Onalaska School District #330
540 Carlisle Avenue
Onalaska, WA 98570
(360)978-4111
EPA Funding:
$23,800
FY 1998
Focus:
Water Quality
Target Audience:
Secondary Students in Lewis, South
Thurston and Grays Harbor
Purpose:
To build capacity in Lewis, South
Thurston and Grays Harbor through
environmental interpretive walks,
technology, and a series of bi-
monthly student/public activities that
address water quality monitoring and
a cross cut of environmental
education issues.
Goals:
• Assist in the development of
monthly workshops through
interaction with adult
professionals.
• Gain greater knowledge about
wetlands, land management, and
environmental concerns of the
Chehalis River Basin.
• Network with others through
computer applications including
an Internet WEB site.
Methods:
• Perform water quality testing.
• Implement bi-monthly
presentations and activities
addressing a cross cutting of a
regional nature.
• Stage "Music Under the Stars
Festival" that will highlight local
environmental and ecological
issues.
• Implement a network system that
will reach all fourteen school
districts.
• Provide "hands-on experiences"
through expansion of
interpretive trails and
monitoring.
Products/Results:
• Four workshops were conducted
involving 11 school districts,
environmental agencies,
Centralia College, and a business
stakeholder.
• During the first workshop,
students spent the day with
professionals at work discussing
issues directly related to their
careers; and teachers interacted
with professionals about
environmental issues and ways
to improve their environmental
education teaching skills.
• The second workshop was
conducted through the Internet.
A model, featuring a
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1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Onalaska School District
ff33O's Environmental
Education Project
hypothetical farm that had a
multitude of problems, was
developed to improve the
students' problem solving and
critical thinking skills.
• At the third workshop, a regional
overview of water and riparian
issues was presented. Water
quality testing was performed by
school teams.
• The fourth workshop entitled
"Music Under the Stars"
addressed global environmental
issues.
Challenges:
• The workshop time was
insufficient to adequately utilize
environmental interpretive
walks.
• Some of the participants could
not attend all the workshops due
to district scheduling.
• Networking with other districts
was not as effective as
anticipated, due to lack of
technological advancement in
some districts.
Successes/Strengths:
• The utilization of the Internet
expanded the learning for 14
different school districts through
a workshop and e-mail.
• Career exposure was provided to
over 75 students from different
school districts by hands-on,
face to face exposure with
professionals.
• Students improved their critical
thinking and problem solving
ability by testing water quality
and applying information to a
hypothetical model farm.
Plant a Tree, Save a fish
Grant Number:
NE-980175-01
Sponsor:
Earth Conservation Corps NW
(ECC)
Project Coordinator:
Scott Welch
Earth Conservation Corps NW
2030 NE Martin Luther Jr. Blvd
Portland, OR 97212
(503) 249-0820
EPA Funding:
$4,995
FY 1998
Focus:
Forest & Habitat
Target Audience:
High School Students, Teachers,
Salmon Corps Members, and the
General Public in Yakima County
Purpose:
To restore riparian habitat on the
Yakima River and its tributaries
through propagating and outplanting
1,500 native trees.
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1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Plant a Tree, Save a rish
Goals:
• Allow teachers and students to
learn propagation and
transplanting techniques and be
able to identify characteristics of
a healthy riparian community.
• Train school base work forces to
procure and propagate native
riparian vegetation, and secure
and revegetate local riparian
sites in the Yakima River Basin.
• Support existing and future
fisheries and wildlife riparian
restoration efforts by providing
rooted stock and manpower to
carry out projects.
Methods:
• Train teachers and students in
propagation and transplanting
techniques.
• Plant cuttings after zero, three,
and eight months of propagation
in the greenhouse of the campus.
• Compare survivability rates of
cuttings between different
periods of propagation.
Products/Results:
• Planting was done by Salmon
Corps members, students, and
teachers on April 20, 2000 in
partnership with the Naches
Valley High School along the
Naches River, and April 21,
2000 in partnership with the
Yakima Tribal School along the
school's pond.
• Students found that there was no
difference in survivability rates
between different groups of
cuttings. Beavers were found to
be the primary cause of plant
mortality.
Challenges:
• The second outplanting was
delayed, which was scheduled
for October 1999, due to
unforseen circumstances. This
delay was overcome by
continuing to propagate cuttings
at the high school greenhouses
until April 2000.
Successes/Strengths:
• The project was so successful
that it will be replicated in 2001.
• With the success of this project,
ECC has secured support from
the National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation through the Five Star
Restoration Program. This
project will continue within the
Yakima Valley, as well as be
expanded to the confluence of
the Snake and Clearwater Rivers
in Idaho.
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1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
River Resources-
Education Reform and
Training
Grant Number:
NE-980180-01
Sponsor:
Rainshadow Natural Science
Foundation
Project Coordinator:
Annette Hanson
Rainshadow Natural Science
Foundation
P.O. Box 3007
Sequim, WA 98382
(360) 683-7395
EPA Funding:
$5,060
FY 1998
Focus:
Ecology
Target Audience:
Formal and Informal Educators,
Students, the General Public, and
Tourists
Purpose:
To build a capacity for
environmental reform and
improvement, community issues, and
teaching environmental education
skills relating to habitat.
Goals:
• Create an outdoor education
program at the Dungeness River
Railroad Bridge Park and
Audubon Center to serve as a
working classroom on the
Dungeness River.
• Reform, improve, and condense
previously developed
environmental education
watershed curricula into one
program for teaching (docent
training) and sharing with the
public.
• Teach critical thinking skills
such as observation, inquiry,
analysis, and problem solving
through river study and
watershed management
activities.
• Share curriculum with the
public, private, and home school
teachers; science and
environmental education
museums and centers; and local,
state, and federal agencies for
incorporation into school and
public programs.
Methods:
• Review and reform existing
outdoor environmental education
curricula to match targeted
academic learning requirements
in science.
• Recruit specialists to train
docents (Audubon members,
retired teachers and scientists,
and stay-at-home parents, etc.)
on riparian ecology through a
series of 10 two-hour
workshops.
• Prepare and supply curriculum
materials which stimulate and
reinforce learning.
• Provide a series of outdoor
experiences to the public to gain
skills needed to make informed
decisions.
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1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
River Resources-
Education Reform and
Training
Products/Results:
• 39 citizens interested in
becoming docents were
recruited, including high school
students and senior citizens.
They attended nine indoor
training sessions, two outdoor
workshops at the park, and a
lecture, totaling 28 hours.
• Approximately 30 fourth grade
and 252 sixth grade students
participated in the curriculum
test phase of the project.
• 2,500 citizens attended the two
day Dungeness River Festival in
September 1998 during the pre-
survey phase of the project.
• A Decent Training and
Curriculum Guide and session
video tapes were produced.
Challenges:
• The request for docents received
an overwhelming response from
the community which
necessitated an increase of time
spent talking to each docent
individually.
• The Foundation found fitting the
curriculum to the local school
districts' needs was especially
difficult. The district had no
curriculum at the elementary
level but was in the process of
adopting one.
Successes/Strengths:
• Each docent was provided with a
Training and Curriculum Guide
and supplemental texts. The
Guide, in notebook format,
allowed for easy expansion or
deletion of material.
• The project yielded a dedicated
group of grass-roots individuals
with a better understanding of
their natural environment.
Summer Science Camp
Grant Number:
NE-990897-01
Sponsor:
Environmental Science and
Technology Foundation
Three Rivers Children's Museum
City of Richland
Project Coordinator:
Gwen Leth
Columbia River Exhibition of
History, Science, and Technology
P.O. Box 1890
Richland, WA 99352
(509) 946-0999
EPA Funding:
$4,975
FY 1997
Focus:
Environmental Education
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Washington
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Summer Science Camp
Target Audience:
4th-6th graders and their families
Purpose:
To increase students' and their
parents' understanding about the
present and future challenges of
human interaction with the
environment.
Goals:
• Teach environmental
stewardship.
• Promote being informed citizens.
Methods:
• Have local experts (educators,
environmentalists) work with
participants addressing the local
issues.
• Conduct hands-on experiments
concerning issues important to
preserving the Columbia River.
• Involve parents directly in the
camp.
Products/Results:
• Three one-week sessions were
conducted addressing local and
environmental concerns such as
salmon issues, bird habitats, and
water density.
• A "Tip List" was developed.
Challenges:
• Preparation time for crafts was
considerably longer than
expected.
• Unexpected high temperatures
necessitated frequent "water
breaks."
Successes/Strengths:
• Students were enthusiastic and
enjoyed the camp.
• Parents praised the presenters.
• Surveys indicated that the
Environmental Science Camp
expanded participants' scientific
knowledge and awareness of
environmental issues.
• Follow-up surveys showed that
campers' families expanded their
recycle efforts to conserve water
and electricity and to re-use
household waste.
Summer Workshop:
Promoting
Environmental
Stewardship on School
Grounds
Project Coordinator:
Cheryl Pijanowski
Chief Leschi Schools of the Puyallup
Tribe
Chief Leschi Schools
5625 52nd Street E.
Puyallup, WA 98371
(253) 840-3892
U.S. EPA Headquarters Library
Mail code 3201
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington DC 20460 87
Grant Number:
NE-990682-01
Sponsor:
Chief Leschi Schools of the Puyallup
Tribe
Chief Leschi Schools
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Washington
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Summer Workshop:
Promoting
Environmental
Stewardship on School
Grounds
EPA Funding:
$5,000
FY 1996
Focus:
Water Quality, Habitats
Target Audience:
K-12 Students
Purpose:
To improve environmental education
by increasing environmental
education teaching skills and build
the capacity of the Puyallup Tribe to
deliver environmental education
programs.
Goals:
• Train teachers to develop lesson
plans that promote awareness,
knowledge, and stewardship of
ecosystems.
• Offer grade level lessons at a
wetland site for K-12 students.
• Raise participants'
consciousness of how human
behavior can upset the delicate
balance of our ecosystem and
result in environmental
stewardship.
Methods:
• Involve twelve K-12 teachers
and four high school students.
• Include Native staff members in
the program.
• Have workshop participants
serve as mentors for other
teachers and students.
Products/Results:
• Two intensive workshops were
offered to Chief Leschi teachers
and students.
• Resource kits were developed to
implement hands-on
environmental lessons in grades
K-12.
• "Tip List" was created.
Successes/Strengths:
• Of the 25 participating teachers,
24 teachers implemented "more
than ten" environmental
stewardship lessons after the
workshops.
Technological
Preparation and School
to Work Activities
Grant Number:
NE-990892-01
Sponsor:
Adna School District
Project Coordinator:
Debbi Davis
Adna School District
P.O. Box 148
Adna, WA 98522
(360) 748-8552
EPA Funding:
$4,769
FY 1997
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Washington
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Technological
Preparation and School
to Work Activities
Focus:
Water Quality, Salmon
Target Audience:
9th grade students
Purpose:
To educate students in formal and
informal settings about
environmental issues and encourage
interest in environmental related
careers.
Goals:
• Give students a greater
understanding of environmental
careers.
• Transfer school-based learning
to field-based learning.
• Help spawning salmon by
constructing in-stream hatch
boxes.
• Assist in replanting riparian
zones.
• Perform water quality tests.
• Develop a stream survey data
base.
Methods:
• Have students construct in-
stream hatch boxes.
• Replant vegetation to decrease
erosion into the streams.
• Perform extensive water quality
tests to create a data base.
• Take a survey that tests
invertebrate population in local
streams.
Products/Results:
• A curriculum was developed for
the salmon life cycle, salmon
habitat, and salmon rearing for
environmental science students.
• School activities were performed
directly related to water quality
and stream management.
• Students constructed "Egg Tube
Cases" for salmon eggs.
• Field trips were taken to area
creeks to deposit egg tube cases
from a fish hatchery, to a salmon
hatchery for hands-on
experience in salmon spawning,
and to area creeks to plant
riparian vegetation and conduct
water quality tests.
Challenges:
• Instead of building salmon
rearing "hatch boxes" and
raising 1,000 salmon eggs, they
made egg tube cases and planted
500 eggs.
Successes/Strengths:
• Community and school worked
together to form a cooperative
relationship to improve the
quality of water and the salmon
population.
• Students were engaged in real
life activities and increased their
awareness of the environmental
issues that exist in this rural area.
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Washington
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Technology Applications
Promoting
Environmental Studies
Grant Number:
NE-980296-01
Sponsor:
North Central Educational Service
District
Project Coordinator:
Jack C. Home
North Central Educational Service
District
P.O. Box 1847
Wenatchee, WA 98807
(509) 663-8743
EPA Funding:
$9,596
FY 1998
Focus:
Biodiversity
Target Audience:
Teachers in grades 7-10
Purpose:
To prepare participants to teach
students in grades 7-10: (1) the basic
and ecological principles associated
with biodiversity; (2) the key
environmental and social issues
associated with biodiversity; (3) the
research and critical-thinking skills
needed in examining issues and
forming action resolutions; and (4)
the methodology and process needed
in planning and involving students in
real issue investigations, evaluation,
and responsible citizenship behavior.
Goals:
• Present information about
biodiversity and associated
ecological principles.
• Communicate the concept of
endangerment.
• Develop information processing
skills by analyzing issues
associated with biodiversity.
• Promote positive citizen
participation in environmental
issues and solutions.
Methods:
• Demonstrate methods, practices,
and techniques, including
assessment of ecological
conditions and analysis of
environmental problems,
biodiversity, and species
survival.
• Provide training for teachers on
specific environmental issues in
the Okanogan Valley.
Products/Results:
• A three day biodiversity teacher
workshop and a two day follow-
up program were held involving
17 classroom teachers (nine 5th
grade, four 6th grade, and four
2nd grade).
• In addition to water test kits,
biodiversity test kits were
supplied for teachers to pilot test
the program in his/her
classroom.
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Washington
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Technology Applications
Promoting
Environmental Studies
• After attending the workshops,
the teachers used classroom
activities with their students.
Some teachers expressed an
interest in expanding the
program to other grade levels.
Successes/Strengths:
• The project was so successful
that it will be expanded to
involve additional elementary
teachers at other grade levels.
• Teachers were motivated to
enhance their current programs
through the use of biodiversity
activities.
• In response to the interest in the
project, additional training will
be provided for other
elementary schools.
The Giraffe Project
Grant Number:
NE-990891-01
Sponsor:
YMCA
Project Coordinator:
Laura Ruud
The Giraffe Project
197 Second Street
Langley, WA 98260
(509) 582-3902
EPA Funding:
$5,000
FY 1997
Focus:
Environmental Education
Target Audience:
K-5 students
Purpose:
To form a partnership between six
Eastern Washington YMCA and the
Giraffe Program to educate about
225 children in the before/after
school care. The students will study
environmental problems and plan the
programs to solve them.
Goals:
• Instill a stronger sense of
environmental responsibility in
the participating students.
• Carry out environmental projects
planned by the students.
Methods:
• Let students select which
environmental issue they want to
address.
• Have students design and
implement a solution to the
given problem, giving them a
sense of ownership and
responsibility.
• Introduce students to "real
heroes" who have worked for
positive changes in the world.
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Washington
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
The Giraffe Project
Products/Results:
• Each of the six participating
YMCA's successfully carried
out a project that benefitted the
environment.
• Students learned the value of the
environment and understood the
importance of its preservation
while working on their projects.
• One student group picked up
aluminum cans at school and
turned them in for money that
was used to purchase food for
the homeless.
• Another YMCA group cleaned
a section of the Zintel Canyon,
then organized a nature walk to
appreciate their work and learn
about their local environment.
Challenges:
• Personnel changes during the
project caused some confusion.
Successes/Strengths:
• Students enjoyed their program
and seemed to benefit from it.
• The students were able to take
ownership for their projects and
be really proud of making a
difference in their community.
Weather Station
Curriculum Link Project
Grant Number:
NE-990708-01
Sponsor:
Seattle School District
The Young Leadership School at
Stevens Elementary
Project Coordinator:
Pamela Roberts
Seattle School District
The Young Leadership School at
Stevens Elementary
815 4th Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 281-6790
EPA Funding:
$5,000
FY 1996
Focus:
Weather
Target Audience:
Elementary School Students
Purpose:
To link math and science
curriculums in grades K-5 with the
weather station teaching tool.
Goals:
• Provide hands-on experience
with scientific and math
concepts using on-site manual
and automated weather
monitoring systems and data.
• Develop and support the Seattle
Central Community College
service learning link with
Stevens Elementary School.
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Washington
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Weather Station
Curriculum Link Project
Methods:
• Purchase and install monitoring
equipment.
• Train and support parents and
students in the "Weather
Rangers" system documents.
• Provide direct classroom
curriculum links and staff
training on math tutoring and
weather station use.
• Place 5-10 college math students
as volunteers with students at
Stevens Elementary during the
first quarter of the project.
Products/Results:
• Students were able to connect to
the weather net.
• An afternoon class was
conducted for seven students.
• The automated weather system
was installed at Stevens
Elementary and hooked up by
modem to King 5 TV and other
national sites.
Challenges:
• For the project to be fully
successful, it needed to be
incorporated into the curriculum
better.
• Teachers need more extensive
background and training.
Successes/Strengths:
• Exciting for Stevens Elementary
students to be able to use the
weather equipment right in their
school.
Whatcom Watersheds/
Service-Learning
Project
Grant Number:
NE-990709-01
Sponsor:
Western Washington University
Fairhaven College
Project Coordinator:
Marie Eaton
Western Washington University
Fairhaven College
MS-9118
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 650-3680
EPA Funding:
$5,000
FY 1996
Focus:
Water Quality
Target Audience:
K-12 Teachers
Purpose:
To improve environmental education
teaching skills for teachers, future
educators, and students through two
teacher/educator training workshops,
hands-on classes, and field
experiences.
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Washington
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
Whatcom Watersheds/
Service-Learning
Project
Goals:
• Enhance participants' problem
solving and critical thinking
skills with respect to
environmental issues.
• Develop a service ethic.
• Train teachers, future educators,
and students to deliver high
quality environmental education.
Methods:
• Introduce Service-Learning and
Action Research and Community
Problem Solving as two new
effective models of teaching
environmental education.
• Analyze the models to learn their
essential elements, the
incorporated evaluation and
reflection techniques, and the
problem solving and critical
thinking skills that are promoted
through each.
Products/Results:
• One seminar and three
workshops were developed
through the collaborative effort
of government agencies, public
and private schools, high school
students, community members,
educators, and pre-educators.
• In total, the project involved 72
university students, 156 high
school students, 17 public school
teachers, and 30 campus and
community educators.
• During the winter quarter of
1997, 12 Western Washington
University students participated
in a three credit course that gave
them experience in
environmental education through
two hours of lecture and one
hour of field work a week.
Successes/Strengths:
• All objectives were met.
• Plans are underway for the
project's continuation and
expansion.
• Numerous participants expressed
interest in assuming leadership
positions on future Whatcom
Watersheds programs.
YMCA Earth Science
Corps
Grant Number:
NE-980184-01
Sponsor:
YMCA
Project Coordinator:
Maddy Metzger
YMCA
2720 Rockefeller Avenue
Everett, WA 98201
(425)258-9211
EPA Funding:
$5,000
FY 1998
Focus:
General Environmental Education
Target Audience:
250 Teenagers in Snohomish County
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Washington
1996-1998
Environmental Education Grant Summaries
YMOV Earth Science
Corps
Purpose:
To empower young people to be
effective, responsible, global citizens
by providing opportunities for
environmental education, action, and
leadership development.
Goals:
• Offer seven different
environmental workshops
reaching over 250 teenagers
throughout Snohomish County.
Methods:
• Publicize the workshops through
eleven high schools where the
YMCA currently operates
environmental clubs.
• Offer monthly environmental
workshops from November 1998
to May 1999.
• Have students choose workshop
topics.
Products/Results:
• Ten trainings, reaching 141
teenagers, were offered on the
following subjects: Energy
Home Audits, Fossil Fuels,
Forests, Wilderness, Vegetarian,
Hemp, and Biodiversity.
• Environmental training was
given to homeless youth at the
Cocoon House Shelter.
• In addition to monthly training,
two field experiences were
provided for the students of
Oregon and Jones Island in the
San Juans.
Challenges:
• Finding available space to
conduct training.
• Having to do reminder calls to
teens.
Successes/Strengths:
• Many teens were inspired by the
training and committed to
continue making decisions that
positively affect the
environment.
• Positive relationships were built
with teens.
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