Ohio EPA has awarded a $5,000 environmental education mini grant to the Simon Kenton Council, Boy Scouts of America, to benefit students from 16 central and southern Ohio counties (Adams, Delaware, Franklin, Fairfield, Fayette, Highland, Hocking, Jackson, Lawrence, Licking, Madison, Pickaway, Ross, Union, Vinton and Scioto). Eleven projects throughout the state were funded for $50,000.

This grant will allow scouts to earn a badge for completing a renewable energy unit during a summer residential program at Camp Lazarus. Young Scouts (ages 6-11) will learn how wind and solar energy can conserve natural resources and lessen dependence on fossil fuels. Activities include measuring the voltage output of parallel and series solar panels; racing solar hydrogen-powered model cars; cooking a meal in a solar oven; considering positive and negative aspects of wind farms; constructing a PicoTurbine windmill from a kit; examining the relationship between the magnets and coils in the kit; and measuring how much electricity is produced. Older Venture Scouts (ages 14-20), a college intern and career center high school students will discuss careers in energy and environmental fields. Collaborators include the Ohio State University School of Environment and Natural Resources and the Delaware Area Career Center’s environmental technologies class.

The Ohio Environmental Education Fund gives out approximately $1 million each year for environmental education projects targeting kindergarten through university students, the general public and the regulated community. General grants are given for projects lasting up to 30 months and costing up to $50,000.

Mini grants are available for projects lasting up to 12 months and costing between $500 and $5,000. Proposals for classroom projects, conference speakers, and other activities that are eligible under the general grant program are eligible under the mini-grant program, but the application process is streamlined. Ohio EPA’s Office of Environmental Education reserves up to $50,000 each grant round to fund projects submitted under this program. Just like the general grant program, there are two mini-grant rounds each year, with the next application deadline on July 15

An electronic letter of intent to apply is due on July 8.

For more information, contact Ohio EPA’s Office of Environmental Education at (614) 644-2873. Staff is available to assist potential grant applicants who contact the office before the submission deadline. Information also is available online.