Environmental Detectives: Murky Mystery Festival
Teacher Resource Grants are not just about funding—they’re about finding new ways to support your students and connect them to the world of learning beyond the classroom.
Our Environmental Science Teacher Resource Grants enhance environmental science curriculum through projects, supplies, and professional development. Through this program, any TK-12th grade teacher working at a Title 1 public school in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, Solano, Sonoma, Santa Clara, San Francisco or San Mateo County can expand their students’ horizons, connecting their in-classroom learning with hands-on real world experiences.
PVF loves to hear from teachers, grantees and partner organizations about their experiences. Read a letter from a 3rd grade teacher at Fairmont Elementary School in El Cerrito, who was awarded a $1,000 grant to host The Lawrence Hall of Science’s Environmental Detectives: Murky Mystery Festival.
“At Fairmont Elementary, a Title 1 school in El Cerrito and Richmond, we face challenges common to many schools: we don’t have a dedicated science instructor, and our teachers are still learning the ins and outs of a new science curriculum, TWIG Science. This is where we saw an opportunity to think creatively and partner with an established organization—The Lawrence Hall of Science—to create an enriching STEM experience for our students.
The program invites students to play the role of environmental detectives, investigating why fish and other wildlife are dying in a local waterway. As part of the interactive festival, students will perform chemical and biological tests, solve clues, and deduce the environmental culprit. This hands-on, problem-solving experience is not only engaging, but it also directly supports our new curriculum by making science come alive in a way that classroom lessons alone cannot.
Our school’s multipurpose room was abuzz with science investigations when the Lawrence Hall of Science came to our campus. From the curious and excited expressions on our students’ faces, the science festival was a resounding success. For many, it was like a giant “field trip” to the science museum without leaving the campus. And all of this was made possible by the generous grant from the Philanthropic Ventures Foundation. On behalf of our community, thank you deeply for your support!”
The possibilities are endless with our Teacher Resource Grants. If you’re looking for ways to bring more hands-on learning experiences into your classroom, consider applying today and looking for community organizations or institutions that can partner with you on creative programs for your students.
