OpportunityTitle: Great Lakes Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) for Indigenous Communities 2024
AdditionalInformationOnEligibility: Eligible applicants are: K-12 public and independent schools and school systems; Notice of Federal Funding Page 13 of 36 institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations; regional, state, or local government agencies; interstate agencies; and Indian tribal governments. For-profit organizations, foreign organizations, and foreign public entities are not eligible to apply; however, for profit and foreign organizations and foreign public entities may participate as a project partner with an eligible applicant. Additional guidance on sub-recipient partners can be  found at https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.331. Likewise, Federal agencies are not allowed to receive funds under this announcement, but may serve as collaborative project partners and may contribute services in kind. Applicants may be physically located in any U.S. state; however, education projects must target teachers and/or students located in the Great Lakes region. For the purposes of this solicitation, the Great Lakes region is defined as counties in the Great Lakes watershed in the  states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
Description: Every year, the NOAA B-WET program supports environmental education programs for thousands of students and teachers. These programs engage youth in meaningful watershed educational experiences (MWEEs) that provide memorable hands-on, experiential learning that are not typically available within traditional classrooms. It also plays a significant role in providing professional development to classroom teachers nationwide that increases their content knowledge, skills, and pedagogical expertise. Lastly, it supports the expansion of environmental literacy in a systemic manner throughout the region, including providing support for state-level capacity building.NOAA recognizes that knowledge and commitment built from firsthand experience, especially in the context of one&apos;s community and culture, is essential for achieving environmental stewardship. Carefully selected experiences driven by rigorous academic learning standards, stimulating discovery and wonder, and nurturing a sense of community will further connect students with their watershed, help reinforce an ethic of responsible citizenship, and promote academic achievement. Experiential learning techniques, such as those supported by the NOAA B-WET program, have been shown to increase interest in STEM, thus contributing to NOAA&apos;s obligations under the America Competes Act (33 USC 893a(a)).
GrantorContactEmailDescription: E-Mail
GrantorContactText: Sarah Waters  &lt;br/&gt;B-WET Program Manager &lt;br/&gt;(989) 312-3520