Project Grant 03D08824

DESCRIPTION:THIS ACTION APPROVES AN AWARD IN THE AMOUNT OF $400,000 TO SUPPORT THE CORAL RESTORATION FOUNDATION'S PROJECT TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM TARGETING ALL 5TH, 8TH, AND 12TH GRADE STUDENTS IN MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, WITH GRADE-SPECIFIC CURRICULA AND FIELD TRIPS TO CORAL NURSERIES. THE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE TO DEVELOP AND DEPLOY A SCHOOL-BASED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM, CORAL REEFS AND YOU, THAT INCLUDES A FIELD TRIP TO SEE FLORIDA'S REEF TRACT AND THE WORK BEING CONDUCTED TOWARD ITS PROTECTION AND RESTORATION. THE PROGRAM WILL BE DELIVERED AT NO COST TO ALL MONROE COUNTRY, FL, STUDENTS IN GRADES 5, 8, AND 12 ANNUALLY FOR THREE CONSECUTIVE YEARS. THE CORAL REEFS AND YOU CURRICULUM WILL BE DELIVERED TO 5, 8, AND 12TH GRADERS IN ALL PUBLIC AND CHARTER SCHOOLS IN MONROE COUNTY, FL (16 TOTAL) EACH YEAR FOR THREE YEARS. THE PROGRAM WILL BE DELIVERED AT NO COST TO ALL MONROE COUNTRY, FL, STUDENTS IN GRADES 5, 8, AND 12 ANNUALLY FOR THREE CONSECUTIVE YEARS. OVER 2,000 STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO PARTICIPATE ANNUALLY, AND 6,000 STUDENTS DURING THE GRANT PERIOD. THE ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE CREATION OF FOUR IN-CLASS CURRICULA APPROPRIATE FOR GRADES 5, 8, AND 12 TO IMPROVE ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY, FOCUSING ON THE FEEDBACK BETWEEN THE HEALTH OF CORAL REEFS AND LOCAL SOCIOECONOMIC CONDITIONS. SECONDLY, DELIVERY OF CREATED CURRICULA TO ALL 5TH, 8TH, AND 12TH-GRADE STUDENTS IN MONROE COUNTY, FL, A HISTORICALLY UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITY. THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE: AN INCREASE IN ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY OF MONROE COUNTY, FL, STUDENTS (GRADES 5, 8, AND 12) REGARDING THE CORAL REEFS OF FLORIDA, SPECIFICALLY REGARDING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE REEF'S HEALTH AND SOCIOECONOMIC CONDITIONS OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY. AN OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS TO SEE THE FLORIDA REEF TRACT, HIGHLIGHTING ITS ECOLOGY ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH ITS DEGRADATION, AND EFFORTS BEING MADE TOWARD ITS RESTORATION. DIRECT BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE STATE OF FLORIDA CITIZENS. ACTIVITIES:.SUBRECIPIENT:SUBAWARD FOR COUNTY SCHOOL BUS TRANSPORTATION.OUTCOMES:.