Anne Arundel County Public Schools has been awarded nearly $2.5 million in support of its blossoming Programs of Choice, which are providing more academic and practical opportunities for county students than ever before.
Helping to expand the efforts of the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) College and Career Marathon project, the Department of Defense Educational Assistance (DoDEA) has awarded AACPS a $2,256,185 grant to serve approximately 5,300 students at eight county schools. The school system is one of only 15 school districts in the country to receive DoDEA funds for STEM-related projects.
Focused on schools with a high percentage of military-connected families, the grant will allow for the increase of STEM offerings and opportunities through the curriculum and for the school communities of the Meade High School, MacArthur Middle School, West Meade Early Education Center, and Annapolis, Pershing Hill, Manor View, Meade Heights, and West Annapolis elementary schools.
“This amazing opportunity helps to emphasize our commitment to ensuring that our Programs of Choice really provide exponential opportunities for our students to be exposed to, experience, and excel at STEM,” said Maureen McMahon, AACPS’ Assistant Superintendent for Advanced Studies and Programs.
In addition to the DoDEA grant, nearly $300,000 has been awarded to AACPS to foster its Stream Restoration Project, which will involve all schools in the Broadneck and Southern clusters.
In partnership with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, students will plant close to 30 acres of forest buffer along the Magothy, Severn, and West rivers, and North Herring Bay watersheds. The Stream Restoration project will also encourage high school students from Broadneck’s Environmental Literacy signature program and Southern’s Design: Preservation and Innovation signature program to lead discussions with K-12 students about stream restoration; market the initiative to the community to gain local support; research planting sites; and manage the planting process to become leaders of stream restoration.
With service learning at its heart, this project will also give students the opportunity to act locally upon the community’s environmental needs and offer time to reflect, refine, and act in their stream stewardship. The project will also involve work with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center, and local watershed organizations.
Both projects will be implemented in the upcoming school year.