Dartmouth, MA – The Grimshaw-Gudewicz Charitable Foundation, The Harold Whitworth Pierce Charitable Trust, and the Rodgers Family Foundation have awarded the Lloyd Center for the Environment grants to support its Science Curriculum Reform and Development Initiative.  Financial support from these foundations enables the Lloyd Center to provide science programs to schools that might not otherwise be able to afford them, such as the public elementary schools in Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Fall River and Westport.  With the Commonwealth’s introduction of the Science/Engineering MCAS test in the fourth and eight grades, the Lloyd Center’s ability to provide interactive and effective science teaching has proven to be particularly important. 

Awarded through a competitive process, these grants signify that the Lloyd Center provides a high level of quality in its programs, community service and organizational financial efficiency.  These awards are intended to support the second year of pilot programs for the Center’s Science Curriculum Reform and Development Initiative implemented in 47 classes in the public schools of Fall River and Fairhaven. 

Support from foundations like the Grimshaw-Gudewicz Charitable Foundation, The Harold Whitworth Pierce Charitable Trust, and the Rodgers Family Foundation enable the Lloyd Center to develop effective hands-on environmental science programs.  The Turn-the-Tide Program, launched five years ago as a pilot in six fifth-grade classrooms in Dartmouth public schools, has since been implemented in all fourteen classrooms.  Today, the Turn-the-Tide Education Program has become an essential part of the standing science curriculum for fifth-graders in Dartmouth and is being piloted in all seven classes in Fairhaven.  A condensed version of the program, the Coastal Exploration Program, is currently being taught by Lloyd Center naturalists/educators in 39 fifth-grade classes in the Fall River public schools.

In addition, the Feathery Focus Program, introduced in Westport and Dartmouth public schools in 2002 and 2003, has been integrated into the standing science curriculum for all third-grade classes in both towns.  In the autumn of 2006, the Feathery Focus Program was introduced into eight third-grade classes in Fall River and seven third-grade classes in Fairhaven as well.  This school year, the programs are being taught in the same number of classes again.

There is much evidence to show that Lloyd Center science programs can make a significant difference to children, in particularly, to those that attend urban schools.  Bringing actual environmental problems from the students’ own “back yards” into their science classrooms, as well as getting students out into the real world of nature, has proven to be a unique way to make the connection between academics and everyday life that few other programs can accomplish.  This connection is essential to children’s understanding of the fragility of coastal ecosystems, and to their future efforts to protect these areas.  Studies have shown that student interest in other school subjects is often heightened through this approach.

The Fall River Public School System has given its full support to the integration of the Lloyd Center Feathery Focus and Coastal Explorations programs into all of the third- and fifth-grade classrooms, although full implementation will not be possible until additional funding sources are identified. 

The mission of the Lloyd Center is to promote long-term conservation of natural resources through education and research and to inspire and empower citizens to make wise environmental choices.  Educating the next generation of citizens to think critically about environmental issues facing their communities is essential to their ability to make wise environmental choices as they grow into maturity.

Founded in 1978 and situated with its headquarters and spectacular nature preserve overlooking the scenic Slocum River estuary in Dartmouth Massachusetts, the LLOYD CENTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT has achieved a well earned reputation for excellence in environmental research and education.  Through its innovative outreach programs, it has established itself as a highly regarded leader in the ongoing effort to raise awareness of the area’s fragile coastal resources and the importance of protecting them. 

With its 55 acres of pristine salt marsh, maritime forest and wetlands uniquely sited at the mouth of the Slocum River, the Visitor Center is open, at no charge to the public, Tuesday through Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  There, one can see at eye-level a 15-foot long pilot whale skeleton, as well as dolphin and leatherback turtle skeletons. The Center’s extensive aquaria exhibits contain local fresh and saltwater fish, jellyfish and invertebrates.  At the popular touch-tank, the visitor can get up-close-and-personal with spider crabs, whelks, hermit crabs, periwinkles, mussels and green crabs. 

The top floor observatory with its magnificent views of the Elizabeth Islands and Buzzards Bay has been named one of fifteen “Special Places” by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Executive Office of Environmental Affairs.  Trails are open from dawn to dusk, seven days a week.  The Lloyd Center for the Environment is located at 430 Potomska Road, Dartmouth, Massachusetts.  For more information, log onto www.lloydcenter.org or call 508-990-0505.