EDUCATION
LHV Funding Supports Ten Local Heritage and Environmental Education Projects in 2011-2012
Thom Welby, President of the Board of Directors of the Lackawanna Heritage Valley National and State Heritage Area (LHV), and Natalie Gelb, Executive Director of LHV, stand with the recipients of LHV's 2011-2012 Educational Mini-Grant awards. Standing from left, bottom row: Ms. Gelb; Georgia Moser Blake, 4th Grade, Lackawanna Trail Elementary School; Nikki Moser, artist with Lackawanna Trail Elementary School; and Mr. Welby. Second row: Christopher Gatto, Old Forge Junior/Senior High School; Lizabeth Conklin, Wallenpaupack South Elementary School; and Shannon Kuchak, Lackawanna Trail Elementary School. Third row: Barbara Giovagnoli, Lackawanna County Office of Environmental Sustainability; Megan Swann, Timmy's Town Center; Charles Charlesworth, Lackawanna Valley Trout Unlimited; and Diane Marinchak, West Scranton High School. Fourth row: Elizabeth Davis, Lackawanna County Children's Library; Marie Grzybowski, Isaac Tripp Elementary School; and Gerald J. Baldauff, West Scranton Intermediate School.
Ten schools and organizations in the Lackawanna Heritage Valley National and State Heritage Area (LHV) were awarded Educational Mini-Grants on December 15, 2011. The ceremony took place at the Lackawanna Historical Society in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The Lackawanna Heritage Valley presented grants of $500 to ten diverse and innovative projects for children from preschool through grade twelve. Proposals came from schools in the Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit #19, as well as local cultural, environmental, and heritage organizations.
The Educational Mini-Grant Program offers funding for projects that promote students’ understanding and appreciation of the rich heritage of the Lackawanna Heritage Valley and how it contributed to the development of our nation; or that develop students’ understanding of the their role as caretakers of the environment, particularly in the Lackawanna River watershed. Now in its seventh year, the Educational Mini-Grant Program is a highly regarded educational initiative that supports creative, multi-disciplinary projects, many using the performing and visual arts as well as traditional academic curricula.
“Preserving and telling the Lackawanna Valley’s rich history through educational programs is a major focus of the Lackawanna Heritage Valley National and State Heritage Area,” said Executive Director Natalie Gelb. “This grant cycle has some really creative and dynamic projects that build a sense of place and an appreciation for the region’s heritage, culture, and resources.”
GRANT RECIPIENTS
Lackawanna County Children’s Library
Elizabeth Davis, Librarian
Children Ages 8-12 Years Old
“I’m a NEPA Kid: An Oral History Project” - A multi-session workshop will teach children how to interview, film and edit video-taped interviews. The children will interview family and friends about their favorite parts of their town or neighborhood, and then they edit the stories and video from these favorite locations into a structured narrative.
Lackawanna County Office of Environmental Sustainability
Barbara Giovagnoli, Community Outreach Coordinator
Pre-K through Middle School Students
“Plant Pride, Not Litter in Lackawanna County” - This is a campaign to raise awareness of the impact of litter on the environment. Particular emphasis will be placed on the effect of litter on the Lackawanna River including quality of life for the residents as well as the effects on plant and animal life along the river. Ms. Giavagnoli will work with teachers and students at all grade levels in the county’s public and private schools.
Lackawanna Trail School District
Shannon Kuchak, Lackawanna Trail Elementary School
4th Grade Students
“Wind and Water on the Tunkhannock Creek” - Students will investigate the changes in the creek bed due to recent flooding, compare historical data for past floods and discuss the event stages of a storm and flood. A visual narrative in the form of three- dimensional devices to measure water flow, and two-dimensional drawings or paintings will be produced by students.
Lackawanna Valley Trout Unlimited
Charles Charlesworth, President LVTU Chapter #414
Children Ages 13-17 Years Old
“Teens Conservation and Fly Fishing School” - During a five month period, students will attend one class per month, where they will learn about hydro-geology, the study of macro-invertebrates/entomology, riparian repair, water quality, history of fly fishing and fly casting. A stream restoration/clean-up project also will be included.
Old Forge School District
Christopher Gatto, Old Forge Junior/Senior High
7th thru 12th Grade Students
“Biodiesel from Grease” - Students will collect used cooking grease from local restaurants, process the grease using the fundamentals of biology and chemistry, and then use the fuel to run various motorized diesel vehicles at the school.
Scranton School District
Gerald J. Baldauff, West Intermediate School
7th Grade Students
“Trail Benches” - Middle school students will build benches to be placed along the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail. Students will explore bench designs, and they will use tools that their ancestors may have used in the past.
Scranton School District
Marie Grzybowski, Isaac Tripp Elementary School
5th Grade Students
“River Creatures Clay Project” - Students will learn clay techniques to create a clay vessel which will display species of animals and/or plants that live and depend on the river. Students will consider the mutually dependent nature of various creatures in the area, and the importance of the river to our local ecosystem.
Scranton School District
Diane Marinchak, West Scranton High School
11th grade students
“Exploring Water Quality of the Lackawanna River” - Students will make connections about the region’s environmental challenges in the past and present. They will conduct a macro-invertebrate survey at the river site near the Silkman House, home of the Lackawanna River Corridor Association, in North Scranton. They will travel to the Old Forge Borehole site to conduct chemical testing. Environmental stewardship, water pollution and career opportunities will be discussed.
Timmy’s Town Center, The Mall at Steamtown
Megan Swann
Children 0-10 Years Old
“People on the Move” - This project interactively illustrates the many and diverse people who came to and from Lackawanna Valley, whose lives enriched both the area and the world. The project will instill a sense of pride in the Lackawanna Valley and excite the students about the endless opportunities of various paths to success.
Wallenpaupack Area School District
Lizabeth Conklin, Wallenpaupack South Elementary
Kindergarten Students
“Peace and Quiet Garden” - The children will design and establish a garden area that will encourage natural plant and animal inhabitation. The garden will offer experiences in hands-on learning about plant life, local animals, their habitat and maintenance and care of a garden, while offering a quiet, peaceful place for sharing stories, engaging in conversation and experiencing nature and literature in a restful environment.
For More Information
Tom McHugh, LHV Educational Coordinator
(570) 793-3692
edventures@epix.net
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