·:[ Environmental News Bits ]:·
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Youth Service America (YSA) will give $5,500 STEM grants to middle school science teachers and service-learning coordinators to strengthen their classroom practices through service learning. The grant will target students from disadvantaged circumstances in Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, and Washington.

Grantees will engage up to 75 students in grades 6–8 in a semester-long service-learning program. With a focus on environmental concerns, STEMester of Service’s goals will include addressing community problems, encouraging students to explore STEM careers and preventing early dropout.

The program components will include a $5,500 grant for teachers or service-learning coordinators; training and professional development; participation at YSA’s Youth Service Institute in Washington, D.C.; resources to help grantees plan and implement STEMemester of Service; and national recognition and visibility through YSA communications and outreach initiatives. The application deadline is July 15. Visit the YSA website to learn more and apply.

Read the full story in Environmental Protection.

DA STARK Interiors, a Seattle-based interior design firm, is assembling buildings from reused cargo containers in the heart of the Seattle Design District, according to a June 18 press release.

The containers represent the entire exterior structure of the firm’s buildings, which were prefabricated off-site. The interiors and other prefab materials will be installed on site in preparation for the grand opening this fall.

Read the full story in Environmental Protection.

A first-of-its-kind guide is designed to help states save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by adopting clean energy practices in their facilities, operations, and vehicle fleets.

States spend about 10 percent of their operating budgets on energy bills, yet these costs can be reduced by implementing well-designed energy management and greenhouse gas reduction programs. For example, in New York, where a 2001 executive order directed state agencies to reduce energy consumption by 35 percent by 2010 relative to 1990 levels, the state saved $54.4 million in energy costs from energy efficiency improvements between fiscal years 2001-2002 and 2003-2004.