Sustainable Grant Programs

The Environmental Education Initiative, created by Discovery Education in partnership with NEEF and other collaborators, is celebrating five outstanding educators selected as recipients of the 2025–2026 Greening STEM Grants. These grants support programs that integrate environmental science into school curricula through student-led investigations, local environmental issues, and projects connected to nearby public lands.

Rooted in hands-on learning, the Greening STEM Grants empower educators to design programs that strengthen critical thinking and deepen academic achievement. “Research shows that students thrive when classroom lessons are engaging and connected to the broader world. These real-world connections not only strengthen critical thinking but also boost academic achievement,” said Catherine Dunlop, Senior Vice President of Corporate Partnerships at Discovery Education. “Together with NEEF, we’re excited to support these transformative projects and watch them come to life.”

This year’s funded projects, each receiving up to $7,000, span greenhouse learning, cosmic exploration, school gardens, biodiesel production, and campus-wide sustainability initiatives across South Carolina and Georgia. From recycling cooking oil into clean fuel to transforming campuses into living laboratories, each program highlights the value of experiential STEM education. Overall, the initiative reflects a growing national commitment to environmental literacy, civic engagement, and students to make more informed decisions for a healthier planet.

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