Alexandria City Public Schools lang $330k NOAA Grant

ALEXANDRIA, VA. – Alexandria City Public Schools received a grant of nearly $330,000 to help teachers bring real-world, hands-on science and technology learning into their classrooms.

Through the grant, students in grades six and seven will use STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) concepts to explore local environmental issues such as the health of local streams, which feed into the Chesapeake Bay watershed, and impact the plants, animals and people these waterways support; or the impact of light pollution in urban environments on plants and animals. The grant, obtained in partnership with Earth Force, was awarded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Students will explore topics by collecting data and conducting research to learn about the issues that are impacting their community. They will engage with City officials, government workers, nature center and wastewater treatment facility staff, environmental non-profits and local business and industry to learn more about local issues and then select one to address – and develop critical communication skills in the process. Based on their findings, they will design and implement projects that reflect environmental issues they care about and they will apply what they learn to real-world situations.