Sleeping Bear Dunes receives National Park Foundation Open OutDoors for Kids Grant to offer free school programs
From staff reports
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore received an Open OutDoors for Kids grant from the National Park Foundation (NPF). Thanks to this grant, schools can join in for free. In the classroom, students will design, build, and test a small beach cleanup machine. These activities help students learn Next Generation Science Standards. Lessons focus on “Earth and Human Activity” and “Engineering Design.” Students will also be able to define words like “watershed” and the process for developing and using models. All 3rd-5th grade classes in the Great Lakes region are encouraged to apply for the free lessons and design kits by clicking here.
Since 2011, NPF has engaged more than 1 million students in educational programs connecting them with national parks across the country. NPF’s goal is to connect another one million students to parks by the end of the 2024-25 school year.
“National parks are America’s largest classrooms, and Open OutDoors for Kids seeks to connect as many kids as possible to them,” said NPF president and CEO Will Shafroth. “With parks, learning is fun, memorable, and hands-on. Parks open kids’ eyes to the wonder and complexities of nature and history, sharing diverse perspectives that offer a wider understanding of our country’s progress and struggles.”
The NPF Open OutDoors for Kids program is made possible by private philanthropy, including support from Youth Engagement and Education premier partner Union Pacific Railroad, and supporting partner GoGo squeeZ. Additional funding is provided by Alicia and Peter Pond, Apple, Columbia Sportswear, Sierra, Parks Project, Humana, The Batchelor Foundation, Inc., and many other donors.
