Educational Mini-Grant Program
The Seekonk Land Conservation Trust (SLCT) actively supports and promotes environmental science education in town. We also hope to foster an appreciation for nature and the outdoors in Seekonk students. Our mini grant program helps to accomplish these goals by providing financial assistance to Seekonk public school teachers interested in developing student programs focused on environmental studies. Each year SLCT selectively awards Mini Grants of up to $500 each to town teachers. We also support the Environmental Resource Center at the Seekonk Library with an annual gift.
2013-2015 Educational Mini-Grant Recipients
Seekonk High School
Ms. Angela Cunard AP Biology Ongoing Watershed Study of Burr’s Pond and Runnins River; Grant funds help provide equipment, materials, and transportation to sample sites and Bridgewater State University. The SLCT has supported Ms. Angela Cunard and her AP and Honors Biology students in their annual hands-on study of water quality at Burr’s Pond and the Runnins River for over a decade. Burr’s pond is in scenic Martin Wildlife Refuge, our flagship property, across from the Grist Mill on Rt. 114A. The Runnins River traverses much of Seekonk, emptying into Hundred Acre Cove, and ultimately Narragansett Bay. The students present their findings each spring at the SLCT annual meeting as part of their coursework, to the delight of our membership and citizens. Mr. David Bonneau, Mr. Matthew Wills Biology 2 Ongoing Watershed Study Burr’s Pond and Runnins River Hurley Middle School Ms. Jessica Karalis Downing 6th Grade+ entire student body Grants for courtyard greenhouse, garden, garden tools, and plant material; Garden Club started in conjunction with construction; follow on twitter at HMS jdowning for greenhouse and garden updates. Ms. Dina Cloutier 8th Grade STEM Field Trip/Workshops with Award winning Science Teacher Topics included owl pellet study, computer forensics, DNA, insect and watershed study. Ms. Ellyn Metcalf 7th Grade; group of 10 students Lunch Composting Program: Purchased 7cu ft Compact Wizard Plastic Tumbler Composter for compost scraps from student lunches. Compost to be used in student greenhouse and gardens Ms. Dina Cloutier 8th Grade Whale Watch Plymouth MA, Cape Cod Bay and Stellwagen National Marine Sanctuary; Marine Biologist led oceanographic program: Plankton Tow study, lobsterman demo, whale, sea bird, and marine life observation and study. Martin Elementary School Ms. Boudreau Kindergarten Rainforest Reptile Program: Conservation through Education: Reptiles Rock Featured live alligator, snakes, large monitor, large tortoise, small mammals, insects, and lizards. Presented in conjunction with the Magic Tree House Series book, Afternoon in the Amazon. Ms. Lisa Hopkins 3rd Grade Caratunk Audubon Wildlife Refuge (Seekonk) Nature Hike: Nature Detectives, Seasonal Field Explorations Program developed in conjunction with Social Studies Hometown Studies curriculum, and science unit on plants and animals. Students enthusiastically enjoyed the nature walk, and created a brochure on Seekonk incorporating aspects of their Caratunk visit. Ms. Ann Marie Braganca 2nd Grade New England Aquarium in School Penguin Program This popular program has been funded in past and continues to delight young students. Aitken Elementary School Ms. Sarah Mooney Pre K and Kindergarten Oak Knoll Audubon Naturalist in school program about insects “May- Buggin Out!” |