Consent 3.
Regular Board of Supervisors Meeting
Board of Supervisors
- Meeting Date:
- 08/13/2019
- Title:
- Letter of Support for National Science Foundation Grant
- Submitted By:
- Arlethe Morrison, Board of Supervisors
- Department:
- Board of Supervisors
Presentation:
Recommendation:
Document Signatures:
# of ORIGINALS
Submitted for Signature:
Submitted for Signature:
NAME
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
n/a
TITLE
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
n/a
Mandated Function?:
Source of Mandate
or Basis for Support?:
or Basis for Support?:
Information
Agenda Item Text:
Approve Letter of Support for the University of Arizona's application for a National Science Foundation grant for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) curriculum development and teacher training in Cochise County.
Background:
The Cochise Conservation Network (CCRN) is a collaboration formerly established through an MOU between Cochise County, the City of Sierra Vista, The Nature Conservancy, the City of Bisbee and the Hereford Natural Resource Conservation District to plan, design, engineer, construct and monitor aquifer recharge projects near the San Pedro River. These efforts are modeled and designed to support the stream flow of the river and the riparian habitat of the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area, a nationally recognized and important protected area in the heart of Cochise County.
The recharge projects, along with the riparian ecology of the area, can provide a unique opportunity for teachers in our County to develop STEM-based curricula for their students. A grant from the National Science Foundation would enhance the ability of our teachers to take advantage of the county’s rich natural history and assets and translate those assets into STEM-based learning materials for our county’s students. In a time where youth are becoming more disconnected from nature, opportunities like this are critical in fostering future generations of stewards and advocates for the environmental assets we are charged with protecting in Cochise County.
The County, as a member of the CCRN and administrator of the project sites, would welcome a relationship and agreement with the local school districts for the use of one or more of these project sites located in the Sierra Vista Sub-watershed for educational purposes and teacher training.
The recharge projects, along with the riparian ecology of the area, can provide a unique opportunity for teachers in our County to develop STEM-based curricula for their students. A grant from the National Science Foundation would enhance the ability of our teachers to take advantage of the county’s rich natural history and assets and translate those assets into STEM-based learning materials for our county’s students. In a time where youth are becoming more disconnected from nature, opportunities like this are critical in fostering future generations of stewards and advocates for the environmental assets we are charged with protecting in Cochise County.
The County, as a member of the CCRN and administrator of the project sites, would welcome a relationship and agreement with the local school districts for the use of one or more of these project sites located in the Sierra Vista Sub-watershed for educational purposes and teacher training.
Department's Next Steps (if approved):
Mail letter if approved.
Impact of NOT Approving/Alternatives:
The UofA may not receive enough support to have their application chosen for this grant and STEM curriculum might be delayed in Cochise County.
To BOS Staff: Document Disposition/Follow-Up:
Mail Letter to:
Etta Kralovec, Ed.D.
Distinguished Outreach Faculty
University of Arizona, South
1140 N. Colombo
Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
Emai Letter to:
kralovec@email.arizona.edu with a copy to Ed Gilligan, Jackie Watkins, Karen Riggs, Britt Hanson, Mark Apel.