LUMBERTON — A local educator will participate in a grant opportunity that will allow her students to immerse themselves in an engaging study of ocean science education.
Courtney Lamb, a 7th-grade educator at Littlefield Middle School, has been awarded the NOAA Ocean Acidification Program Mini-Grant.
The grant will fund all necessary materials and supplies, provide Ms. Lamb with a $2,400 stipend for her two years of participation, and cover her travel expenses to the NC Science Teachers Conference, where she will deliver a presentation at the conclusion of the grant period.
“It is great to see teachers take the initiative to provide unique opportunities for our students that expose them to real-world problems and allow them to become scientists as they seek possible solutions,” said PSRC Science Supervisor Susan Miller-Hendrix.
The educator shared words of excitement for the opportunity to enhance learning for her students.
“I am thrilled to take part in the sea grant with the NOAA Ocean Acidification Program. This will bring environmental learning to my students and expose them to how the pH can affect the ecosystem within our ocean waters. I appreciate the opportunity and can't wait to share with my students, school, and community!” Lamb said.
The primary aim of this grant opportunity is to offer federal financial support for the creation of ocean and coastal acidification education tools and programs specifically for underserved and/or Indigenous communities or Tribes, according to Dr. Erika L. Young, Coastal and Marine Education Specialist with North Carolina Sea Grant.
North Carolina Sea Grant is headquartered at North Carolina State University. It is a multicampus program with offices in Wanchese, Morehead City, and Wilmington.
“The projects for this grant will be done in Ms. Lamb’s science class and will actively engage her
students with lessons and activities in ocean acidification, ocean literacy principles and the
using the Scientific Method,” Dr. Young said.
PSRC Superintendent Dr. Freddie Williamson congratulated Lamb on her receipt of the grant and the opportunity to enrich learning for students.
“Congratulations, Ms. Lamb! We're excited to see how you'll use this opportunity to bring learning to life and make lessons even more interactive and engaging for our students as they dive into ocean science,” Dr. Williamson said.