Threading Student-Led Decision-Making and Action Into
STEAM-Powered Blue Carbon Place-Based Experiences

The Gulf Research Program (GRP) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine announced today an award of $5.1 million dollars to fund 12 place-based education projects in the Gulf of Mexico region targeted toward students in grades K-8.

Collectively, the projects will engage young learners with local environmental issues, such as mapping litter in Louisiana communities, restoring salt marshes with recycled glass in Mississippi, and participating in immersive field trips and camps in Texas and Florida.

Additionally, local teachers from Gulf states will receive paid professional development opportunities to incorporate place-based education into their practice.

“We are excited about the scope of these projects to empower youth across the Gulf of Mexico region, helping them deepen their connection to place, continue to build their scientific and environmental literacy, and work toward the betterment of the region at large,” said Karena Mothershed, director of GRP’s Board on Gulf Education and Engagement.

Project Director
Karla Klay, Artist Boat

Award: $746,174

This place based and phenomena driven curriculum will engage students, 6th to 8th grade, in their inquiry-based nature as they learn about climate, land use, and native species through field investigations and hands-on discoveries. 

Artist Boat will provide paid professional development to 50 teachers and key staff who will co-facilitate the transformative program through focus on student-led decision making, questions for investigations, and design thinking to determine actions. By participating over two years, teachers will be confident in leading decision thinking lessons in the future. 

Carbon “Footprint” Assessment Workshop
2 hrs – carbon usage inquiry

Eco Art Workshop
2 hours – Science and Art

Eco Art Kayak Inquiry workshop
2 hrs – Driving Question planning

Eco Art Kayak Adventure
4 hrs – Kayaking at the Coastal Heritage Preserve

Blue Carbon Workshop
2 hrs – Climate Science and Art

Action Project Planning workshop
3 hrs – design a small-scale, measurable project

Action Project
4 weeks – action project data collection and project execution

Action Project Presentation 

Paid Professional Development
30 hrs – $1200 Stipend

Program Summary

Students will receive a yearlong hands-on, place-based program (STEAM-Powered Blue Carbon – Inquiry Workshops, Eco-Art and Blue Carbon Workshops, Eco-Art Kayak Adventures, Action Planning, and Action Projects) facilitated by their teachers and Eco-Art educators (marine biologists and artists) who are trained to foster student-led and inquiry based learning in place that results in students who self-determine their products to share environmental issues and solutions.

Additionally, Artist Boat will provide professional development to 50 teachers and key staff who will facilitate the transformative program through focus on student-led decision-making, questions for investigations, and design thinking to determine actions.

The participants are from the five counties surrounding Galveston Bay (Galveston, Chambers, Brazoria, Harris, and Fort Bend Counties), which cover a large and diverse geographic (rural/inner city), cultural (ethnicity/religions), and socioeconomic audience of students who are underserved and underrepresented.