The NOAA Hawaii Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program is an environmental education program that meets NOAA’s mission of science, service, and stewardship.
Donor Name: Department of Commerce
State: Hawaii
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 01/31/2025
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: 2 Years
Details:
The goal of the Hawaii B-WET program is to support K-12 environmental literacy programs that provide students with Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs) in Hawaii’s ahupua’a and related professional development for in-service teachers, administrators, or other educators serving K-12 students. Individuals that have been educated about earth’s processes and long-term environmental trends can become effective problem solvers, informed future community leaders, and engaged decision-makers charged with managing Hawaii’s limited island resources. Experiential learning techniques, such as those supported by the B-WET program, have been shown to increase students’ interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), thus contributing to NOAA’s obligations under the America COMPETES Act.
Program Priorities
The MWEE framework is the backbone of all B-WET funded projects and, regardless of the priority, proposed projects must incorporate all MWEE Essential Elements and Supporting Practices in order to be successful. The definition of the MWEE that follows was created by the NOAA National B-WET program and is used by all seven B-WET regions throughout the country.
- PRIORITY 1: Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences for Students
- The NOAA Hawaii B-WET program seeks applications for projects that provide opportunities for K-12 students to participate in meaningful place-based outdoor experiences that empower students’ learning. Projects submitted under this priority should be learner-centered and focused on the four MWEE Essential Elements: Issue Definition, Outdoor Field Experiences, Synthesis and Conclusions, and Environmental Action Projects. These activities that are grounded in best practices and include the concept of ahupuaa, increase student interest and engagement in learning, support student achievement, advance 21st Century skills, and advance environmental stewardship and civic responsibility. As a result of the MWEEs, students should have an understanding of basic watershed concepts, as well as the interaction between natural and social systems, highlighting the connection between human activity and environmental conditions.
- PRIORITY 2: Teacher Professional Development for Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences
- The NOAA Hawaii B-WET program seeks applications for projects that provide teachers opportunities for professional development in implementing MWEEs. Educators should ultimately provide MWEEs for their students by weaving together classroom and field activities, within the context of their instructional coursework and current critical issues that impact the Hawaiian Islands. Systematic, long-term education programs, and professional development opportunities will reinforce an educator’s ability to teach, inspire, and lead young people toward thoughtful stewardship of our natural and cultural resources, as well as develop the next generation of decision-makers.
Funding Information
- Estimated Total Program Funding: $1,000,000.
- Award Ceiling: $150,000.
- Award Floor: $50,000.
Grant Period
The performance period for FY2025 funded projects under Priority 1 or 2 cannot be less than 12 months or exceed 24 months.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible funding applicants are K-12 public and independent schools and school systems, institutions of higher education, commercial and nonprofit organizations, state or local government agencies, and Indian tribal governments conducting projects in Hawaii (Islands of Hawaii, Maui, Kahoolawe, Lanai, Molokai, Oahu, Kauai, Niihau, and/or the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands). Individual applicants and federal agencies are not eligible.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
