Project Grant 97794601

DESCRIPTION:THIS PROJECT PROVIDES FUNDING TO SOUTH CENTRAL OZARK COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS TO DESIGN, DEMONSTRATE, AND DISSEMINATE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PRACTICES, METHODS, AND TECHNIQUES, THAT WILL INCREASE ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY AND ENCOURAGE BEHAVIOR THAT WILL BENEFIT THE ENVIRONMENT IN DOUGLAS, HOWELL, OREGON, OZARK, SHANNON, TEXAS, AND WRIGHT COUNTIES (MISSOURI OZARKS). THE GRANTEE WILL OFFER PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATORS WORKSHOPS AND TEACHING TOOLS ABOUT WATERSHEDS, GROUNDWATER, WATER QUALITY, WATER USE, CONSERVATION, STEWARDSHIP, CAVES, SPRINGS, AND HOW HUMAN ACTIONS AND DECISIONS AFFECT WATER.ACTIVITIES:ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED INCLUDE; DEVELOPING AND DELIVERING HANDS-ON EDUCATOR WORKSHOPS, FIELD TRIPS, AND TEACHER SUPPORT ON WATERSHED AND KARST EDUCATION. SUBRECIPIENT:FIVE SUBAWARDS OF $5,000.00 EACH ($25,000 TOTAL) WILL BE PROVIDED TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHOSE TEACHERS PARTICIPATED IN THE EDUCATOR WORKSHOPS AND/OR NONPROFITS IN THE SEVEN-COUNTY AREA. SUBAWARDEES WILL BE ABLE TO FUND 5-8 STUDENT OZARK KARST FIELD TRIPS TO REINFORCE LEARNING AND CONNECT STUDENTS TO THEIR WATERSHEDS. THE SUBAWARD FUNDING MAY BE USED BY THE SCHOOLS TO PAY FOR RELATED EXPENSES, SUCH AS: SCHOOL BUS FUEL, BUS DRIVER'S WAGES, LUNCH COSTS AND DRINKING WATER FOR STUDENTS, COSTS FOR SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS, STUDENTS' PROTECTIVE GEAR, SUPPLIES (LIKE BAGS FOR COLLECTING FOUND TRASH), AND ANY ENTRANCE OR GUIDE FEES.OUTCOMES:DELIVERABLES INCLUDE A FREE PROFESSIONALLY FILMED VIDEO OF THE TEACHERS' WORKSHOPS AND FIELD TRIPS, CURRICULA, HANDS-ON DEMONSTRATION MATERIALS, CRITICAL THINKING GAMES, AND DOCUMENTARY VIDEOS FOR USE IN CLASSROOMS. EXPECTED OUTCOMES OF THE PROJECT INCLUDE: SHORT-TERM - 50 EDUCATORS WILL BE TRAINED AND PROVIDED KARST-SPECIFIC WATER QUALITY EDUCATION RESOURCES TO USE WITH STUDENTS. MID-TERM - MANY 4-12 GRADE STUDENTS IN THE MISSOURI OZARKS WILL HAVE INCREASED UNDERSTANDING OF WATERSHEDS, KARST, AND WATER QUALITY. LONG-TERM - OZARK YOUTH WILL SHARE KNOWLEDGE WITH THEIR FRIENDS AND FAMILIES, AND MAKE DECISIONS THAT PROTECT WATER QUALITY. THIS WILL BENEFIT WATER QUALITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES THROUGHOUT THE MISSOURI OZARKS.