News Releases from Region 03

EPA Awards $91,000 Environmental Education Grant to Alvernia University in Reading, Pennsylvania

PHILADELPHIA (July 7, 2017) Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a $91,000 environmental education grant to Alvernia University in Reading, Pennsylvania to help educate elementary school teachers and students about environmental protection and water-related issues.

“My overarching goal is to lead EPA in a way that our future generations inherit a better and healthier environment,” said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt.  “This grant helps teach students about conservation through hands-on experience with nature.”

Funding will be used to teach approximately 40 teachers and more than 650 students in third to fifth grade in the Reading School District. The project will take place in schools and nature parks in Reading including Angelica Creek Park. Students will track and study water temperature, water pH, freshwater invertebrates, and electrical conductivity.

“Alvernia University is very grateful to the EPA for this grant award,” said Dr. Alicia Sprow, Associate Director of Sustainability at Alvernia University. “It will provide the students and their teachers with a real world learning opportunity in nature that we hope will lead to a deeper appreciation for our natural environment.”

Key partners include the Reading Recreation Commission, Berks Nature, and two elementary schools.  Educators will receive curriculum training from the partner organizations. Teachers and students will then participate in hands-on, experiential projects that will focus on protecting water in the Reading area.  

For more information about environmental education grants, see https://www.epa.gov/education

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Children sample water in Berks County, Pa.