G.O.A.L
(Get Out and Learn!)
-Funding Environmental Learning Experiences-
Program Description:
G.O.A.L. (Get Out And Learn), Funding Environmental Learning Experiences for Boston Public Schools is an initiative planned by the BYEN –K12 steering committee, which includes representatives from the Environmental Education program provider community and Boston Public School (BPS) teachers and BPS Science Professional Development Specialists.
GOAL is an effort to further environmental literacy and stewardship through science based field experiences. GOAL seeks to catalyze partnerships between Boston-based organizations and Boston Public School teachers to plan field experiences that are in support of the BPS science curriculum. It aims to do this by providing resources (e.g., funding for transportation and program fees) to directly support classrooms embarking on field experiences connected to the BPS science curriculum.
GOAL! Highlights:
« 45 Environmental Education professionals from 22 different organizations received training in the Boston Public School Science curriculum in order to more closely align their program offerings to BPS Science content and enrich science learning.
« All forty Boston Public Schools that submitted applications received GOAL grant awards to support outdoor learning experiences linked to science curriculum content.
« Over 6,000 BPS students participated in more than 8,500 outdoor learning experiences supported by GOAL grant awards given to teacher-provider partnerships since the program began in Spring 2009.
« Boston Environmental Education professionals were invited to attend BPS Science Kit trainings to further enhance knowledge and skills, and build relationships with BPS teachers.
« GOAL grant awards totalling $40,000 are made annually to help cover transportation costs and program fees – the biggest logistical obstacles to extending science learning beyond the classroom setting.
« Average cost per student is less than $13.00, including transportation, program fees and partner staff time for work with classrooms to prepare for and then follow-up to the outdoor environmental learning experience.
Participating Boston Public Schools:
Agassiz Elementary School
Blackstone Elementary School
Boston Latin Academy
Boston Teachers Union School
Bradley Elementary School
Conley Elementary School
Curley K-8 School
Dever School
Edison K-8 School
Ellis Elementary School
Ellison Park School
Everett Elementary School
Fifield Elementary School
Garfield Elementary School
Sarah Greenwood K-8 School
Guild Elementary School
Hale Elementary School
Haley K-8 Pilot School
Hamilton School
Harbor School
Hennigan Elementary School
Hernández K-8 School
Holmes Elementary School
Horace Mann School for the Deaf
Hurley K-8 School
Jackson/Mann K-8 School
John F. Kennedy Elementary School
Mason School
McKay K-8 School
Mendell Elementary School
Mildred Avenue School
Mission Hill K-8 School
Murphy School
Ohrenberger School
Oliver Perry K-8 School
Philbrick Elementary School
Phineas Bates Elementary School
Roosevelt School
Sumner Elementary School
Taylor Elementary School
Winthrop Elementary School
Eligible Environmental Education Partners:
Appalachian Mountain Club
Arnold Arboretum
Beyond Benign
Friends of the Blue Hills
Boston Children’s Museum
Mass Audubon’s Boston Nature Center
“e,” Inc.
Ferry Beach Ecology School
Hale Reservation
New England Aquarium
New England Wildlife Center
Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy
Thompson Island Outward Bound Education Center
Urban Ecology Institute
Wakefield Estate
Student Conservation Association
Youth Enrichment Services (YES)
Zoo New England