Environmental Education Grants

Grants of up to $3,500 per project are available this year to help inspire teachers to implement an interdisciplinary approach to teaching about the environment and to foster new ideas.  The PSEG Environmental Education Grant Program began in 1991 as a partnership with the New Jersey Business/Industry/Science Education Consortium (NJ BISEC) and designed in cooperation with the Alliance for New Jersey Environmental Education (ANJEE).  The goal is to provide financial resources to classroom teachers who strive to link their students’ understanding of science, mathematics, and/or technology concepts with an enthusiasm and appreciation for the environment. 

Since 1991 over $388,000 has been awarded to fund 160 projects in over 105 school districts across our territory. 

• Who May Apply? 
• How May the Funds Be Used? 
• What Types of Proposals Will Be Considered? 
• What Must the Application Include? 
• What Are the Other Grant Requirements? 
• How Do I Apply for a Grant? 
• How and When Will Grantees Be Selected? 
• Still Have a Question? 
• Learn about the projects awarded in 2011-2012 
• View and Download Projects That Can Be Adapted For Your Classroom 

Once again this year, in an effort to expand our geographic outreach, the PSEG Environmental Education Grant Program is open to educators of grades K-9 who teach in:

• PSE&G's electric or gas service areas 
• New Jersey schools within PSEG’s Estuary Enhancement Program Areas 
• All schools in Salem and Cumberland Counties (new in 2012)
• All schools in the State of Delaware (new in 2012)

Grants are available to teachers who can successfully link their students' understanding of science, mathematics, computer science and/or technology concepts with an enthusiasm and appreciation for the environment.  Public, private, parochial, and charter schools are eligible to apply.  This year, PSEG will award $35,000 in grants.

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How May the Funds Be Used?

Funds may be applied to equipment, materials and field trips that would not normally be provided by the school or school district. Specific budget criteria are provided on the grant application.

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What Types of Proposals Will Be Considered?

• Ideas for the development of one or more classroom units.
• Expansion or refinement of an existing course or curriculum.
• Extension of classroom work to community or after-school activities.

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What Must the Application Include?

• Clearly defined and valid project objectives and outcomes.
• Ability to link environmental education concepts with an understanding of science, mathematics, computer science and/or technology.
• Clearly described, well-planned activities; creativity a plus.
• Evidence of grade level appropriateness and direct student involvement; community involvement a plus.
• Clearly itemized budget with estimated costs; expenses must be appropriate to project.
• Ability to successfully evaluate project.
• Evidence of alignment with several New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards (for New Jersey schools) or Delaware Content Standards (for Delaware schools).

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What Are the Other Grant Requirements?

The school or school district is required to conduct the grant project for at least two years. Grant funding may also be spread over a two-year period if the school/school district deems it necessary. The school/school district is also encouraged to continue the project after this source of external funding expires.

A brief, written interim report will be due by September 20, 2013 and a final written report will be due by September 19, 2014. Report guidelines will be provided. Grant recipients will also be expected to assist other educators by sharing the results of their successful projects, in a format that can be posted at this Web site.

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How Do I Apply for a Grant?

Just complete the grant application (pdf) which must be postmarked no later than June 15, 2012.

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How and When Will Grantees Be Selected?

Proposals are reviewed by an impartial, expert panel of formal and informal educators as well as policy makers in the areas of science, technology, and environmental science.  All selections are made by non-PSEG employees.  The judges review each submission to identify the top proposals for funding.  The key criteria for funding include:

Grantees will be announced in August 2012.  Funding will be provided to the school or school district for distribution to the teacher recipient(s), who will use the grant money in accordance with the approved budget.

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Still Have a Question?

Send us an email.

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Learn about the projects awarded in 2011-2012

• 2011-2012 PSEG Environmental Education Grantees

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View and Download Projects That Can Be Adapted For Your Classroom

• Ecology and Genetics of Leaf Gallmakers on Goldenrod (Salidago altissima) – a project designed to provide a collaborative learning, hands-on experience.  It is intended to explore ecological organization using classic ecological and molecular biology techniques. Grades 10 & 12.
  
  
• Better Crops For New Jersey – a project for students to examine economically feasible means of growing better crops in New Jersey by comparing soil growing to Hydroponics. Grades 6-8.
  
  
• Cultivating Our Roots: Students and Senior Citizens Gardening Together – a project to enhance student achievement in Science and the use of teleconferencing, in addition to promoting service learning and increasing environmental awareness.  Grades 7 & 9.
  
  
• How Big Will Our Tomatoes Grow? Hydroponics versus Soil Growing – a project to help students learn how to set up and maintain a hydroponics lab, and how to  understand the economic and environmental advantages to this type of growth as compared to the traditional soil-growth method.  Grade 4.
  
  
• Up in the Air and Down in the Drain: Monitoring Our Environment – a project to develop a sustainable monitoring program around the school community.  Grades 4, 9, 11-12.
  
  
• The Ecology of Agriculture and Other Land Use in the New Jersey Pine Barrens - rather than focusing on only negative environmental impacts of human industry, students discovered the benefits that human activity can provide, even in a delicate ecosystem.  Grades 9-11.
  
  
• C.R.A.B Club - this project offered students the opportunity to become actively involved in efforts to clean and protect our waters.  Grades 7 & 8.
  
  
• Power of Wind - this project helped answer the question, "should New Jersey allow the construction of coastal wind farms for the purpose of generating electricity?  Grade 8.

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