Community Corner
State Officials Recognize EcoTarium For Excellence in Energy and Environmental Education
The EcoTarium was among 33 programs recognized.
WORCESTER, MA— At a State House ceremony this week, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Matthew Beaton today honored 33 energy and environmental education programs at Massachusetts schools and nonprofits as part of the 23rd Annual Secretary’s Awards for Excellence in Energy and Environmental Education.
Among those honored was the EcoTarium in Worcester and its program “City Science: The Science You Live,” grade 12 and beyond.
“Hands-on energy and environmental educational programs improve students’ problem-solving skills and create lifelong passions for science and the environment,”said Governor Charlie Baker in a statement. “Our administration is proud to recognize the students, teachers and nonprofits raising awareness and coming up with creative solutions to our pressing energy and environmental issues.”
“These educators are engaging students in real-world environmental and energy issues and bringing topics they learn in the classroom to life,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “The programs recognized today are developing students who will make a positive and lasting impact on their communities, schools and the environment.”
Winners competed for $5,000 in awards, funded by the Massachusetts Environmental Trust with the intention to fund further environmental education initiatives at the schools. EEA solicited Excellence in Energy and Environmental Education Award nominations in early 2017. Schools and organizations that voluntarily incorporate environmental education into public or private school curricula are given priority.
The project applications were scored by the Secretary's Advisory Group on Energy and Environmental Education, a group of environmental educators from state agencies, non-profits, industry and academia.
