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Gettysburg College’s Advancing Science Library receives NOAA grant to support local schools

The Advancing Science – Educational Resources and Environmental Literacy for Regional Schools program at Gettysburg College has received a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as part of their Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) funding initiative.

Advancing Science is a scientific equipment lending library from Gettysburg College that makes free loans, classroom visits, and training workshops for local K-12 teachers. Our program has been running since 1994 and has served thousands of regional children and hundreds of teachers over the past 28 years. Our services span the physical, chemical, Earth, and life sciences, with lesson plans and materials for every grade band. 

Advancing Science new logo

This three-year project involves 18 teachers and 5 administrators from three districts in Adams County: Bermudian Springs, Upper Adams, and Gettysburg. Together, we are developing an Environmental Literacy Plan for the county with regional partners. This will include county-specific lesson plans that address environmental issues specific to our region. Through background research, experimental design, data collection, and reporting, students will produce scientific data to help them and us understand their natural environment and its conservation issues.

The timing of our project aligns with the rollout of Pennsylvania’s Science and Technology and Environment and Ecology Standards (STEELS). These new science standards will be implemented in the 2025-2026 school year and include new standards for environmental literacy. This is a terrific advancement for science education in the state, which will promote problem-based learning, data analysis, and civic engagement as part of the science curricula.

Our project is titled: “Partnership for Adams County Environmental Literacy” (PACE). We formally began with a kick-off meeting last Fall. Participating teachers and administrators have met in multiple workshops and seminars to explore the environmental issues faced by our county. 

Our first seminar from Dr. Howard Ernst at the US Naval Academy introduced the concept of environmental justice. His presentation was followed by a seminar from Rachell McDevitt from WITF’s State Impact PA on their new “Climate Solutions” project and local environmental reporting. Our most recent seminar featured Joe Hallinan, the outgoing Watershed Specialist from Adams County Conservation District, on live staking and tree planting initiatives available to classrooms and school grounds. 

Our core crew of PACE Partners will continue to meet and develop material around this timely and exciting topic. Educators and engaged community members who want to participate in our future Zoom seminars are welcome to contact advancingscience@gettysburg.edu

While our current PACE initiative focuses on environmental science, we also receive funding from the PA Department of Education and the PA Educational Improvements Tax Credits program to support general science education throughout the region.  Teachers who want to take advantage of our free services must first participate in a training workshop.  Contact advancingscience@gettysburg.edu for more information or to be added to our list of teachers interested in training.

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