The University of Texas at Arlington received a $133,333 Project Grant award from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 6 under the Environmental Education Grants Program (CFDA 66.951) effective July 1, 2025, through April 30, 2027. The grant funds the design, demonstration, and dissemination of environmental education practices focused on increasing environmental literacy and promoting circular economy awareness in Arlington, Texas. The institution will engage 15–20 high school teachers and serve more than 800 students across five partner schools through integrated, community-based environmental stewardship projects embedded within the high school curriculum.
Key deliverables include the development of a comprehensive circular economy course; weekly instruction to participating teachers over a two-month period; facilitation of student-led circular design projects such as upcycled greenhouses; environmental and waste assessments conducted in conjunction with the projects; a student project showcase; and community workshops on circular economy principles. Additionally, the grantee will distribute between five and ten subawards to eligible subrecipients to expand project impact through activities such as upcycling education, environmental assessment software procurement, and supplemental environmental education programming. These coordinated activities are designed to build participant capacity to make informed environmental decisions and take responsible environmental action.