Program Will Benefit Maryvale, Buffalo After-School Programs

 Friends of Reinstein Woods has received a $57,325 grant to support a new “Watershed STEM in the Schoolyard” program, one of 29 Watershed STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) Education Partnership Grants awarded across the country. The North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) awarded the grant in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Department of Education.

Starting in Fall 2020, Reinstein Woods will engage students and educators at 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC)at Maryvale Intermediate School and Buffalo Public Schools 45 and 93. These learning centers provide academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours for children, particularly students who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools. The centers help students meet state and local standards in core academic subjects while providing enrichment activities that complement their regular academic programs.

In the “Watershed STEM in the Schoolyard” program, students in grades 4-5 will collect weather and water quality data, explore STEM careers, and complete stewardship projects in their local watershed. The program is designed to develop students’ environmental literacy and leadership skills as they improve their communities.

Additionally, in partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Reinstein Woods will train staff at each site to conduct water-related activities appropriate for an after-school setting. The program will be tailored to meet evolving partner and community needs at each site.

“Water flows through our communities often unnoticed, and yet that water is vital to all living things,” said Meaghan Boice-Green, DEC Education Center Director at Reinstein Woods. “We are excited that this partnership will connect area educators and students to their local water resources in a fun and engaging way.”

Friends of Reinstein Woods President Terrence Boyle said, “All students should take part in Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences at some point in their childhood. These experiences go beyond normal classroom learning to empower students to take meaningful action to protect water quality. Above all, it will encourage them to pursue STEM careers.”

Diantha Watts, Executive Director of Buffalo State’s Educational Pipelines Initiative Office said, “We are thrilled to have our students at International School #45 engaged in science programming that will stress literacy and math skills while encouraging parent involvement. Moreover, the professional development training will help our instructors make better use of our outdoor spaces for learning and fun.”

Kim Luce, Vice President of School-based Services at Best Self Behavioral Health echoes that excitement, adding “Southside Elementary is located adjacent to the Buffalo River. This program will provide place-based STEM learning that complements our programming and is relevant to our students.”

Elizabeth Giangreco, Assistant Superintendent at the Maryvale School District states, “We are pleased to partner for the first time with Reinstein Woods, which is only five miles from our school. We are eager to learn more about how we can use the outdoor space in our schoolyard and help our students discover how to care for their local environment.”

The Watershed STEM Education Partnership Grants are part of eeBLUE, NAAEE’s effort to build collaborative partnerships that support the mutual STEM education goals of NOAA and the U.S. Department of Education. Funding for these grants is provided by the U.S. Department of Education and administered by NAAEE.

Last year, Reinstein Woods received a federal grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to expand the Day in the Life of the Buffalo River program to include the larger Niagara River/Lake Erie Watershed. The grant allowed us to provide extensive teacher training, classroom learning, and meaningful watershed education experiences for students.

The expanded program uses Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) protocols, a set of standardized water quality measurement protocols that allow educators and students to connect with others and compare data across the world.

The Holland High School 12th graders have done just that! They collected water quality data and prepared a report comparing the water quality in Western New York to water data collected by peers in Kenya. They plan to present their findings at a science symposium.

Other students got creative in educating others about water quality issues. Students from Stella Niagara, led by teachers Margaret Feuerman and former Reinstein intern Julia Kostin, created public service announcements and “wanted” posters to alert their community to the threat of invasive species in the Niagara River.

And after collecting water quality data from nearby Gill Creek, Niagara Falls High School students created video and print public service announcements warning of the dangers of water pollution.