The NOAA Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program was established in 2002 to create environmentally literate students and teachers through education. Recognizing that an informed community is the key to sustaining the Nation's watersheds, in addition to both coastal and ocean environments, NOAA has developed B-WET programs in seven regions: California, Chesapeake Bay, Hawaii, Gulf of Mexico, New England, Pacific Northwest, and Great Lakes. The NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS) administers the Hawaii B-WET program on behalf of the NOAA Office of Education and in partnership with the Office of Coastal Management- Pacific Islands in Honolulu.
The goal of the Hawaii B-WET program is to support K-12 environmental literacy programs that provide students with Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs) in Hawaii's ahupuaa (definitions are included in Section I.A.2) and related professional development for in-service teachers, administrators, or other educators serving K-12 students. Individuals that have been educated about earth's processes and long-term environmental trends can become effective problem solvers, informed future community leaders, and engaged decision-makers charged with managing Hawaii's limited island resources. Experiential learning techniques, such as those supported by the B-WET program, have been shown to increase students' interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), thus contributing to NOAA's obligations under the America COMPETES Act (33 USC 893a).
An application must address one of the following priorities:
- Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences for Students
- The NOAA Hawaii B-WET program seeks applications for projects that provide opportunities for K-12 students to participate in meaningful place-based outdoor experiences that empower students' learning. Projects submitted under this priority should be learner-centered and focused on the four MWEE Essential Elements: issue definition, outdoor field experiences, synthesis and conclusions, and environmental action projects.
- As a result of the MWEEs, students should have an understanding of basic watershed concepts, as well as the interaction between natural and social systems, highlighting the connection between human activity and environmental conditions.
- Teacher Professional Development for Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences
- The Hawaii B-WET program seeks applications for projects that provide teachers opportunities for professional development in implementing MWEEs. Educators should ultimately provide MWEEs for their students by weaving together classroom and field activities, within the context of their instructional coursework and current critical issues that impact the Hawaiian Islands. Systematic, long-term education programs, and professional development opportunities will reinforce an educator's ability to teach, inspire, and lead young people toward thoughtful stewardship of our natural and cultural resources, as well as develop the next generation of decision-makers.
None is available.
NOAA has identified two areas of interest for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 projects. Projects must include at least 1 of the 2 Priority Content Areas described below, and may include both options. In FY2024, NOAA is particularly interested in projects that highlight the Indigenous Knowledge (IK) and science with an emphasis on climate areas:
The Hawaii B-WET program is strongly committed to expanding the knowledge and participation of students from low income, historically marginalized, underrepresented, and underserved populations in environmental education. It is crucial for all participants to have an understanding of and connection with their own environment, therefore all students should be provided an outdoor experience regardless of where they live or go to school. The Hawaii B-WET program anticipates that a substantial portion of the target audience served by funded projects will represent minority and underserved communities. Projects are strongly encouraged to develop meaningful and mutually-beneficial partnerships that honor the strengths of community organizations to directly address equity and inclusion.
Projects are encouraged to be connected to or based on conservation efforts at one of the following locations: Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary; Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument; Heeia National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR); or West Maui or South Kohala Coral Priority Areas.