Groundswell wins national innovative education award

Groundswell has been named a winner of the 2018 UL Innovative Education Award (ULIEA) and $25,000. 

The annual award is presented to five non-profits throughout the U.S. and Canada who advance E-STEM, sustainable communities and youth empowerment. 

Groundswell, housed in the College of Education, is a coalition of community partners that creates opportunities for hands-on environmental learning for K-12 students in West Michigan.

The North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) in partnership with Underwriters Laboratories (UL) launched the UL Innovative Education Award in 2014 to invest in programs that demonstrate effective educational benefits and community engagement in linking environmental focus to STEM education.

This year, applicants from 33 states and three Canadian provinces applied for the award.

"This really celebrates all the amazing work of Groundswell teachers, students, and community partners," said Joanna Allerhand, assistant director of the Center for Educational Partnerships in the College of Education. "We look forward to using this award to further support student-led environmental stewardship in West Michigan."

Applicants must either use environmental education to address STEM or use STEM to address environmental challenges. The award recognizes and supports innovative programs that already make positive impacts on their communities.

Financial support for Groundswell comes from Grand Valley's College of Education, the Wege Foundation, Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative, and Baldwin Foundation. 

Click here for more information on Groundswell.