Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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What are the goals of this project?

Project outcomes include equipping students with knowledge and resources to understand critical environmental topics, build scientific literacy skills, a workforce of teachers with the tools, resources, and training to continue to educate students on these topics, opportunities for students to engage with STEM and community stakeholders on air pollution issues, and student understanding and confidence to communicate about air quality and related environmental issues in their communities.

 

How do I know if my school is eligible to apply?

Criteria for selection includes being an Alabama public middle and/or high school in and around Mobile, commitments from teachers/administrators to environmental education, and without previous experience with air quality monitoring activities.

 

What is required if my school is selected?

Commitment of two teachers for training, encouragement of student research throughout the school, authority to accept and manage the $5,000.00 award, and support for the Student Research Symposium with administrative, teacher, and student participation.

 

Who are the project partners?

The Stemming the Tide Coalition (STC), led by Kate Hayden at the University of Montevallo, Kids Making Sense Project Lead Olivia Ryder at Sonoma Tech, and Lee Coykendall, Executive Director, Youth Learning as Citizen Scientists (YLACES).

 

What is the project timeline?

Applications will be panel reviewed in December and January with school notification by January 31, 2026. To see the full project timeline click here.

 

Where does the funding for this project come from?

Funding for this project has been supported by an EPA EE Grant along with matching funds from participating partners.

 

Does my school get to keep the equipment after project completion?

Yes. The program is designed to build capacity with teachers becoming train the trainers and the entire school using the air quality monitoring equipment and other resources to educate students long past the end of this project.

 

How can I spend the $5,000.00 award?

The award money for each school is for stipends for teachers to attend training, supplies needed for student research, and school participation in the Student Research Symposium. Schools will be responsible for record keeping and reporting to the Project Manager.

 

What is a Student Research Symposium (SRS)?

An SRS is an opportunity for students to present their data and research to their peers and STEM professionals.  It differs from a science fair as it is not a competition but a place where all students, many of whom have never presented before, get to talk with students from other schools and engage with the community.  Research shows that students who attend an SRS report an increase in their science interest, ability to ask scientific questions, and can envision themselves as future STEM professionals.

 

When and where is the teacher training?

Teacher leadership and air-quality training will take place over two days in June 2026 in Mobile, AL, and on-site at each participating school. Monthly online trainings will support teachers throughout the project.

 

Can our school send more than two teachers to the training?

As this is dedicated leadership training, we can only accept two teachers from each school selected however capacity building is a goal of this project and these teachers will be train-the-trainers and the monthly online professional development will be open to all teachers at each school engaging their students in air quality research and related environmental issues.

 

If our school is not selected this year, can we apply next year?

No. The funding for this project is for five schools over the project period.  However, as the equipment and resources remain at the school, and the Student Research Symposium is open to all students, and the monthly professional development is open to interested teachers, it is our hope this project builds lasting capacity and on-going connection with The Stemming the Tide Coalition, Kids Making Sense, and Youth Learning as Citizen Environmental Scientists (YLACES) and their grant opportunities.

 

Who do I contact if I have additional questions?

You may reach out to the Project Manager, Lee Coykendall, at lee@ylaces.org.