AUBURN — Project Learning Tree, the environmental education program of the American Forest Foundation, awarded a $900 GreenWorks! grant to Auburn Middle School. With the grant, students will plan and plant perennial flower gardens to revitalize the school’s grounds. Faculty and staff will receive a PLT training, facilitated by AMS science teacher and PLT facilitator, Cameron Sutton. Staff will learn how to incorporate environmental education activities and learning in the outdoors into their science, math and language arts curricula.

Twenty-one eighth graders will be involved in all aspects of the planning and implementation of the school gardens. They will develop partnerships within their community, enlist guest speakers and advisers, solicit donations and fundraise for materials and supplies, create a design concept, conduct research and choose plants, evaluate and prepare the soil and plant and maintain the flower gardens.

“Having students spearhead a project to improve their school develops leadership skills as they engage in problem-solving, decision-making, analytical thinking and team building,” said Auburn Middle School math teacher Margaret Meyer. “Students are learning the skills they need and applying them in a meaningful project that provides a service to the community and teaches them to be stewards of their environment.”

This grant was one of 29 grants awarded to schools and youth organizations in 17 states and the District of Columbia. Proposals for the next round of grants will be due Sept. 30. Application forms will be made available in the spring from www.GreenWorks.org.

For more information about PLT in Maine, contact Pat Maloney at 207-626-7990 or [email protected].