EarthFest Education Grant

Valley Forward is pleased to announce more than $5,000 in grant funding for the 2011-12 school year, made possible by Helios Education Foundation and our event partners. Arizona teachers in K-12 can apply for funding to support environmental projects in their classroom, at their school or in their community. Projects must enhance awareness of and interest in environmental sustainability.

About the Program

Arizona educators may apply for grants to support projects that are environmental in nature and that focus on such topics as: energy, water, air quality, transportation, land planning, plants and animals or waste management.
One or more grants will be awarded.
Deadline for submitting applications is 4 p.m., December 9, 2011. Applications may be mailed or emailed to dgiannetti@valleyforward.org.
Projects must be completed by May 1, 2012.
Valley Forward will select the winner(s), to be notified on or before January 16, 2012.

Selection Criteria

Projects must target students in K-12 and focus on any of the above listed topics.
Projects submitted may be stand-alone, joint efforts with other classrooms or entire schools may also support existing projects.
Projects with matching funds and/or in-kind contributions will be considered.
Valley Forward reserves the right to modify any of the above criteria if adequate documentation shows that particular projects will have significant educational and environmental value.

Awards
One or more grants will be awarded at the discretion of the Valley Forward’s Environmental Education Committee.

How to Apply
Teachers should complete and return the EarthFest Education Grant Application Form, along with a short project description of no more than two pages and relevant supporting material. Valley Forward must receive applications, no later than 4 p.m., December 9, 2011.

Within 30 days of the project’s completion, grant recipient(s) will be required to complete a project summary form provided by Valley Forward and submit it along with photos of the project. Failure to submit these materials will disqualify submitters from receiving future grants.

Application materials must be submitted to:
Valley Forward Association
ATTN: EarthFest Education Grant
3800 North Central Avenue, Suite 220
Phoenix, AZ 85012
Email: dgiannetti@valleyforward.org

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RECIPIENTS OF VALLEY FORWARD’S 2010-11 EARTHFEST EDUCATION GRANTS:

Fountain Hills High School (Fountain Hills): $1,500 – Awarded to Paul McElligott, a high school Science Department chair, for a project titled, “Energy Efficient Solar Rechargeable Golf Cart.” Students involved in the Research Club and in engineering classes will design and construct a viable photovoltaic system to continually recharge the batteries of a donated golf cart. This will eliminate the need to use standard electricity to recharge the batteries, resulting in energy and cost savings. Students will recap and present the project at the 2011 ASU Science and Engineering Fair.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School (Scottsdale): $150 – Awarded to Deborah Magish, a middle school science teacher, for a project titled, “Project Wild Manipulatives.” Magish will purchase supplies and enlist volunteers to help re-create handmade tools and materials that students will use to learn valuable ecology concepts in real-life situations through Project Wild curriculum activities. One activity, “How Many Bears Can Live in the Woods?” teaches carrying capacity and resource management, giving students a real-world example of how nature works.

Montessori in the Park (Goodyear): $1,000 – Awarded to Jonathan Bourne, fundraising liaison for the school, for a project titled, “Raised Vegetable Garden Beds.” Funds will support raised garden beds so students can grow their own vegetables and learn the importance of self-sustaining agricultural methods and local produce. They’ll learn about the growing zone they live in, plan where best to plant each seed and study the importance of companion growing. With full access to the garden throughout the school day, students will monitor and journal the growth progress of their plants.

South Mountain High School (Phoenix): $1,000 – Awarded to Allison Walden, a high school English Department chair and Recycling Club sponsor, for a school-wide project titled, “South Mountain Turns Blue!” Fixed recycle bins will be purchased for the campus to increase awareness of recycling and the environment with the ultimate goal of becoming the top school for recycling in the state. Students will learn about pollution and garbage accumulation, documenting their families’ consumption, discussing their feelings about recycling and making posters promoting a greener lifestyle.

Tuscano Elementary School (Phoenix): $1,000 – Awarded to Carissa Moreland, an elementary school art teacher, for a project titled, “Earth Day, Every Day.” The school currently recycles paper but is in need of bins for cans and plastic. Students will be taught the importance of reducing their carbon footprint through simple daily activities like choosing to recycle. Art and science lessons will also be integrated into the program, which will focus on the impact pollution has on our ecosystem and wildlife. Students will detail their personal contribution to landfills and evaluate how their lifestyle directly impacts pollution levels.

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