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EXHIBIT A CHILDREN'S SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE 2021-22 GRANT APPLICATION Agency Name: Environmental Learning Center Address: 255 Live Oak Drive, Vero Beach, FL, 32963, US Executive Director: Barbara S Ford Email: Barb@DiscoverELC.org Phone: (772) 589-5050 Program Director: Sara Poitter Email: SaraP@discoverelc.org Phone: (772) 589-5050 Program(s) Name: Environmental STEAM Explorers: Mentoring Tomorrow's Leaders Focus Area(s): Quality Academic Remediation and Enrichment PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: The Environmental STEAM Explorer program utilizes a two -prong approach to engage elementary, middle, and high school students of Indian River County with meaningful STEAM educational programming. The projected number of unduplicated children to be served is three hundred seventy-five (375). Five cohorts of up to 15 middle and high school students will participate in in-depth, academically rigorous STEAM programming offered during summer, fall, winter, and spring school breaks. Each cohort will participate in approximately 12 hours of programming over 3 days. Each day of programming will consist of 4 hours during the morning and early afternoon in which participants will use the ELC campus as a living laboratory to engage in authentic scientific investigation of the Indian River Lagoon ecosystem using scientific tools such as drones, Remotely Operated Vehicles, radio telemetry equipment, and plankton sampling devices, while also building a connection to the natural world. ELC will provide access to all the tools and the setting necessary for meaningful field science, including easy access to the Indian River Lagoon, a fleet of canoes, and extensive boardwalk trails to reach difficult to navigate ecosystems. In addition, ELC staff members with expertise and experience in a variety of environmental and STEAM professions will provide insight into STEAM careers and advice for pursuing further education and employment opportunities in STEAM. In addition to our middle and high school program, ELC will implement a multi -lesson, repeat - exposure afterschool enrichment program for elementary students at afterschool program sites throughout the county, including the School District of Indian River County Extended Day Program. Student cohorts in groups of 20-25, depending on afterschool site program registration, will work with ELC staff members to explore STEAM topics through an environmental lens for five one-hour class sessions at the afterschool program site. Program sessions will be arranged directly with the afterschool program sites to best fit the needs of their schedule and the students enrolled in their programs, with each student receiving five hours of high-quality, hands-on STEAM instruction over the duration of the program.