News from the Friends of Reinstein

GRANT ALLOWS CHEEKTOWAGA STUDENTS TO STUDY NATURE WITH REINSTEIN WOODS 

Maryvale Primary Students to Visit Reinstein Woods as Part of “Watershed STEM” Grant

Cheektowaga, NY – Friends of Reinstein Woods, in partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is engaging kids in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in afterschool programs at Union East Elementary School and Maryvale Primary School in the Town of Cheektowaga. As part of this grant-funded program, Maryvale students will tour Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve on April 15, 2025. Wetland dioramas made by students will be on display at Reinstein Woods from April 12 – 22, 2025. 

“As our world faces growing environmental concerns, it is important for our students to understand the role that science and engineering play in meeting and overcoming the challenges,” said Daniel Haeusser, President of Friends of Reinstein Woods. “This program provides opportunities for these children to strengthen their math and science skills, while motivating them to consider becoming scientists or engineers.” 

Since January, the students have studied their local watershed as part of a $39,168 “STEM in the Schoolyard: Watershed Engineers” grant from the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Department of Education. The eeBLUE 21st CCLC Watershed STEM Education Partnership Grants, administered by the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE), support organizations working directly with 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC). 

Each week through May, fourth graders in the Just For Kids after-school program at Union East Elementary and fifth graders in the YWCA’s after-school program at Maryvale Primary School will enjoy hands-on activities to learn about the Scajaquada Creek watershed. The students have enjoyed acting as “scientists” testing water quality, becoming “engineers” by designing water filters, and exploring how animals like beavers and humans have engineered our waterways over time. The program also aims to connect students with local science and engineering professionals. For example, the students learned how scientists at the National Weather Service predict flooding. 

The public is invited to view the students’ work at Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center from April 12 to April 22 (Earth Day). The Education Center is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Reinstein Woods is located at 93 Honorine Drive, Depew, NY 14043. For more information, or for journalists wishing to join the Maryvale tour, contact Reinstein Woods at (716)683-5959. 

About Friends of Reinstein Woods: 

Friends of Reinstein Woods is a volunteer-led, nonprofit organization that supports the environmental education programs offered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation at Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center. We provide vital financial and volunteer support for programs aimed at school children, teachers, youth from underserved neighborhoods, and the public. We also support stewardship projects designed to protect and restore the natural habitats at Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve. 

About eeBLUE

A dynamic partnership between the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, eeBLUE is a five-year, $7 million initiative to provide STEM education, empower communities to tackle climate challenges, reach new audiences, and cultivate environmental problem-solvers. Aligned with U.S. Department of Education goals, students participating in the program have shown notable gains in science and data collection skills as well as understanding of the Great Lake ecosystem and individual impacts on the environment. 

About Nita M. Lowey 21st CCLC Program 

This program supports the creation of community learning centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours for children, particularly students who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools. The program helps students meet state and local student standards in core academic subjects, such as reading and math; offers students a broad array of enrichment activities that can complement their regular academic programs; and offers literacy and other educational services to the families of participating children. The 21st CCLC program is the largest out-of-school program in the nation, serving over 1.5 million students in all 50 states. 

About NAAEE 

For five decades, the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) has served as the professional association, champion, and backbone organization for the field of environmental education (EE), working with EE professionals across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, as well as globally, to advance environmental literacy and civic engagement to create a more equitable and sustainable future. For more information on NAAEE, visit https://naaee.org.

###