This project provides funding to kansas association for conservation and environmental education (kacee) to implement its project, which will design, demonstrate, and disseminate environmental…

This $133,333 Project Grant awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Environmental Education Grants Program (CFDA 66.951) will fund the Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education (KACEE) to implement a project that will design, demonstrate, and disseminate environmental education practices, methods, and techniques. The key products and services to be delivered include:

• Developing a dedicated career pathways website for students and guidance counselors, and a completed green careers curriculum
• Hosting a virtual green careers summit for youth
• Engaging students in school-based action projects and connecting them with mentors to explore potential green careers
• Providing professional development for 30 educators to enhance their skills in teaching about climate and green jobs
• Eliminating barriers for 1,000 underserved middle and high school students in Kansas and Missouri to pursue careers in environmental sustainability, renewable energy, and climate-related professions.

The project aims to increase environmental literacy, encourage pro-environmental behaviors, and create educational resources to support sustainability and climate change understanding in the target communities.

This project provides funding to kansas association for conservation and environmental education (kacee) to implement its project, which will design, demonstrate, and disseminate environmental education practices, methods, and techniques, that will serve to increase environmental literacy and encourage behavior that will benefit the environment. The project goal is to CO-create with youth, educators, and green career professionals a sustainable green climate careers program in kansas and missouri for middle and high school students, particularly from underserved communities, who will acquire the skills and knowledge needed to pursue careers in the growing field of environmental sustainability, renewable energy, and climate-related professions. This project will also increase public awareness and knowledge about environmental issues in garden city (67846) and emporia (66801) in kansas, as well as salem (65560) and arcadia (63621) in missouri and provide students and teachers the skills necessary to make informed decisions and to take responsible actions. Activities:activities to be performed during this project period include: educating teachers about climate literacy and green jobs; engaging students from diverse backgrounds to come together, dialogue, and take action to address these barriers to their involvement and interest in green careers; creating a green career pathways website; developing a green careers curriculum, organizing and providing a virtual youth green careers summit; engaging students in school-based action projects, and connecting students with mentors to explore potential careers. Subrecipient:subawards will support green school initiatives that address climate literacy, air quality, clean water, waste, and environmental justice in schools as well as student-led school projects that extend the learning experience around green careers and give students hands-on experience solving identified problems in their school or community. Outcomes:IT is anticipated that this project will result in the following deliverables: a dedicated career pathways website for students and guidance counselors, a completed green careers curriculum; hosting a virtual green career event; and student engagement in implementing local green schools and student-led green career related projects. Expected outcomes of the project include: increased student engagement in green career exploration; educators with enhanced skills to teach about climate; elimination of barriers for youth in disadvantaged communities who are interested in entering green careers. The intended beneficiaries include 30 educators and 1000 middle to high school students, with a special emphasis on underserved rural and urban communities including garden city (67846) and emporia (66801) areas in kansas, as well as salem (65560) and arcadia (63621) in missouri.