NOAA GRANTS $494,591 TO ENCOURAGE ALASKA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO STUDY SCIENCE

The University of Alaska in Fairbanks received $494,591 under a new competitive grant program to encourage high school students to study science. The program was added this year to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s effort to develop and enhance educational opportunities at minority-serving institutions.

Also receiving grants are Florida A& M University in Tallahassee, Fla., Miami Dade College in Miami, Fla., Jackson State University in Jackson, Miss., and Universidad del Turabo in Gurabo, Puerto Rico.

“The High School Pipeline projects will attract, recruit, and train a 'pipeline' of high school students to pursue careers, advanced degrees, or environmental entrepreneurship opportunities in the sciences directly related to NOAA's mission,” said Jacqueline Rousseau, director of NOAA’s Educational Partnership Program. “Minority-serving institutions will partner with NOAA, local high schools, academic institutions, and the public and private sector. The ultimate goal of the project is to ensure students have an understanding of the fundamental concepts of NOAA sciences.”

Five other institutions in Georgia, New York, Washington, and California, also received grants of about $500,000 each to develop and enhance educational programs and hands-on learning experiences for students in atmospheric, environmental, oceanic sciences and remote sensing technologies.

The EPP program, in its fourth year, also provides funding to cooperative science centers, and undergraduate scholarship and graduate sciences programs to support educational and research opportunities.

“This educational initiative is a special partnership between NOAA, several academic institutions and the public-private sector aimed at preparing the next generation of students to pursue careers, advanced academic studies, and new opportunities in the NOAA sciences,” said retired Navy Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D., undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator.

The recipients are:

High School Science Pipeline Projects

• Florida A & M University (FAMU) in Tallahassee, Florida- $500,000
  FAMU will use applied research, training, and demonstration projects to increase the knowledge and interests of high school students in the atmospheric, climate, coastal, ocean and environmental sciences.

• Jackson State University (JSU) in Jackson, Mississippi - $499,999
  JSU will introduce high school students to marine, environmental sciences and meteorology through a combination of classroom studies and exercises, field trips and hands-on applied field research in collaboration with NOAA and partners.

• Miami Dade College (MDC) in Miami, Florida - $499,785
  Miami Dade College will work with NOAA and other partners to provide hands-on training, field-based learning, and educational opportunities to 120 high school students.

• Universidad del Turabo (UDT) in Puerto Rico - $496,189
  UDT and NOAA Sea Grant will provide opportunities for high school students in GIS, environmental science and research and entrepreneurship in the east central region of Puerto Rico.

• The University of Alaska (UAF) in Fairbanks, Alaska - $494,591
  The University of Alaska-Fairbanks will provide high school students (in grades 9 – 12) a three-year education and training pipeline project. Methods include: developing 5 courses each year, 10 high school dual-credit classes, a work-study program with public-private entities, and mentoring.

• Clark Atlanta University (CAU) in Atlanta, Georgia - $499,995
  Clark Atlanta University’s program will focus on the business of aquaculture systems. Students will gain experience in coastal environmental restoration, management and pollution prevention, and develop additional technical and entrepreneurial skills. Summer internships and visits to the NOAA Galveston lab are part of the program.

• The City College of New York (CUNY) - $499,314
  CUNY will partner with NOAA’s Cooperative Remote Sensing Science and Technology Center (CREST) to introduce students to applied research applications and the mechanics of constructing business model ideas in oceans, satellites, fisheries, or research.

• Northwest Indian College (NIC) in Bellingham, Washington - $496,058
  Northwest Indian College will partner with NOAA’s Northwest Fisheries Science Center to train students in entrepreneurial and technical skills designed to create shellfish aquaculture business opportunities.

• Oxnard College in California - $500,000
  Oxnard College and NOAA’s Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary (and other organizations) will conduct a training program that will instruct students on the commercialization and restoration of white abalone hatchery operations.

• Savannah State University (SSU) in Georgia - $492,978
  Savannah State University and NOAA’s Marine Fisheries Galveston Lab will offer hands-on experiences for undergraduates and graduate Marine Science and Engineering majors in GIS-based restoration and the beneficial use of dredge material site monitoring.