Department of Commerce

Description

The NOAA Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program is an environmental education program that promotes locally relevant, authentic experiential learning focused on K–12 audiences. The primary delivery of B-WET is through competitive funding that promotes Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs; defined in Section I.A.b) for students, related professional development for teachers, and help to support regional education and environmental priorities in the Pacific Northwest. B-WET was established in 2002 in the Chesapeake Bay watershed and currently exists in seven regions: California, Chesapeake Bay, Hawaii, Gulf of Mexico, New England, Pacific Northwest, and Great Lakes. The Office of National Marine Sanctuaries coordinates four of the seven B-WET regions. The Office of National Marine Sanctuaries serves as the trustee for a network of underwater areas encompassing more than 620,000 square miles of marine and Great Lakes waters from Washington state to the Florida Keys, and from Lake Huron to American Samoa. The network includes a system of 15 national marine sanctuaries and Papahanaumokuakea and Rose Atoll marine national monuments. The Pacific Northwest B-WET program supports grantee capacity building and connects grantees to local NOAA assets and relevant STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) expertise, while being responsive to local education and environmental priorities. For the purposes of this solicitation, the Pacific Northwest region is defined as Oregon and Washington. NOAA recognizes that knowledge and commitment built from firsthand experience, especially in the context of one's community and culture, is essential for achieving environmental stewardship. Carefully selected experiences driven by rigorous academic learning standards, stimulating discovery and wonder, and nurturing a sense of community will further connect students with their watershed, help reinforce an ethic of responsible citizenship, and promote academic achievement. Experiential learning techniques, such as those supported by the NOAA B-WET program, have been shown to increase interest in STEM, thus contributing to NOAA's obligations under the America Competes Act (33 USC 893a(a)).

Who can apply

• State governments
• County governments
• City or township governments
• Independent school districts
• Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
• Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
• Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education)
• Private institutions of higher education
• For-profit organizations other than small businesses

Contact

Agency Contact: Jacqueline.Laverdure@noaa.gov <br/> <br/> For questions regarding Pacific Northwest B-WET Program or the application process, you may contact: <br/> <br/>Jacqueline Laverdure <br/>NOAA Pacific Northwest B-WET Grants Manager and Program Coordinator <br/>NOAA Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary <br/>Jacqueline.Laverdure@noaa.gov <br/>(360) 406-2084 <br/> <br/>Kevin Grant <br/>NOAA Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary <br/>Kevin.Grant@noaa.gov <br/>360-406-2078 <br/> <br/>Bronwen Rice <br/>NOAA B-WET National Coordinator <br/>NOAA Office of Education <br/>Bronwen.Rice@noaa.gov <br/>202-604-1388 <br/> <br/>Or view http://olympiccoast.noaa.gov/ocean_literacy/bwet.html533-0783 or by email at craig.a.reid@noaa.gov. His mailing address is: Craig Reid, NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program, 1305 East West Highway, SSMC4, 10th floor, Silver Spring, MD, 20910.
Jacqueline.Laverdure@noaa.gov