New London students will soon better understand how the availability of high-quality energy sources is and important issue facing the global community in the 21st century.
They will learn this by producing biodiesel.
Thanks to the support of local farmers and America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education program, the New London School District received a $10,000 grant to enrich students’ understanding of renewable energies.
As ag and environmental science students implement techniques to make biodiesel, they will identify the advantages and disadvantages of this alternative fuel.
America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education program, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, gives farmers the opportunity to nominate a public school district in their community to compete for a grant of either $10,000 or $25,000 to enhance education in the areas of math and/or science. More than 1,000 nominated school districts submitted applications. The Monsanto Fund will invest $2.3 million into rural education through this program.
“Students are well aware of today’s dilemmas and are eager to participate in learning activities that may impact their future,” said Bill Fitzpatrick, New London School District superintendent. “All of us have the potential to benefit from this program because our children will better understand the effects of our county’s scarce resources.
“We dearly appreciate the farmers’ commitment to complete the nomination process in an effort to make a positive difference for students in our district,” Fitzpatrick said. “America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education will allow us to fund the type of problem-based learning that encourages innovation and enthusiasm in the classroom.”
The New London School District was presented with the $10,000 grant at halftime of its homecoming football game.