The Desert Research Institute's (DRI) STEM Education Program has secured a grant from the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Environmental Management to support Nevada’s clean energy workforce pipeline. The funding, amounting to nearly $2 million, aims to equip the next generation with essential knowledge and technical skills for employment in sectors such as clean energy, waste management, and environmental remediation.
“DRI is honored that the DOE recognizes the important work of our team in preparing Nevada’s students for the careers of the future,” said Monica Gehrig, DRI STEM Education Training and Outreach Administrator. “We are eager to build on our partnerships with the Atomic Museum and the NNSS while also incorporating tribal perspectives. This funding will allow us to introduce middle and high school students across the state to concepts that will directly benefit Nevada’s future environmental health.”
For this initiative, DRI’s STEM Education Program is collaborating with the Nevada Test Site Historical Foundation at the Atomic Museum. The project will help students acquire skills necessary for careers related to the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS). DRI scientists from both the Community Environmental Monitoring Program and Cultural Resources Management Program will contribute by creating educational kits called Green Boxes for middle and high school students. Over three years, these Green Boxes will be distributed statewide, accompanied by field trips to DRI and the Atomic Museum in Las Vegas for immersive learning experiences. Additionally, educator development trainings on new curricula will be conducted along with field trips to NNSS supported by DRI scientists. All Green Boxes are available free of charge upon request.
“This opportunity will open the Atomic Museum to thousands of underserved students within our community and drive the museum’s continued evolution,” said Matthew Malinowski, Director of Education at Atomic Museum. “The museum will be designing new interactive exhibits and hands-on engagements to enhance career connections and create wonder and curiosity in science, technology, engineering, and math. We are privileged to work with our educational partners at DRI on this project to inspire the next generation of innovators.”
DRI has had a longstanding relationship with NNSS since teaming up with EPA and DOE in 1981 to establish the Community Environmental Monitoring Program (CEMP). CEMP trains community members living near NNSS areas in monitoring airborne and groundwater environments for manmade radioactivity.
Additionally, DRI’s Cultural Resources Management Program (CRMP) collaborates with National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Field Office and Environmental Management Nevada on identifying and protecting NNSS cultural resources. As part of this collaboration since 1991, DRI assists with running NNSS American Indian Consultation Program.
With new funding support, DRI's STEM Education Team plans to integrate Indigenous perspectives into their curriculum through collaborations involving CRMP staff members alongside tribal liaisons from Fort McDermitt Paiute & Shoshone Tribe as well as Shoshone-Paiute Tribes during various activities like field trip presentations or professional development sessions aimed towards reaching over 38 thousand students plus three hundred educators throughout three years span.
For more information about DRI's Green Boxes program visit https://www.dri.edu/stem-education-program/green-boxes
To read DOE's original release visit https://www.energy.gov/em/articles/doe-announces-189-million-financial-assistance-grant-award-selections-12-disadvantaged