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Agro Science Learning Center
The Agro-Science Learning
Center (ASLC) was launched in the spring of 2003 to provide
innovative, real life experiences to learners in collaboration
with community and industry. ASLC helps prepare students
for successful careers and a lifetime of informed choices in
agriculture, science, food, fiber, and natural resource systems.
Situated within more than sixty acres of farmland on
Hummer Street in Ephrata Township, the ASLC is being
designed as a K-12 hands-on educational experience that
demonstrates a commitment to the agricultural, natural, and
environmental sciences. ASLC
provides lessons to students of all ages in chemistry, biology,
environmental sciences, genetics, agriculture, mathematics, and
much more.
Some current projects at ASLC include a greenhouse, experimental
land plots, Supervised Agricultural Experiences, Arboretum
Site, and a complete working weather station. As
for our future use of the ASLC, we are looking to expand our
curriculum efforts across the entire school district,
particularly in agriculture. We hope to look at these future ASLC projects:
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Turf
science study
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Animal
science
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An
astronomy site with telescope
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Plots
for science fair projects
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Succession
plots
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Plots
for wetland and watershed use
Venture Grant Program
Click
here for a complete list
This program
is to enhance and expand educational experiences and
opportunities for the students in the public schools of the
Ephrata Area School District through
grants to individual teachers, groups of teachers, departments,
and other professional employees that support creative and
innovative programs that would normally not be funded through
the school budget. Grants will be awarded annually to enable
unique programs, teaching strategies, and learning experiences
to become a reality in the classroom or through support services
where they can influence the learning climate and directly
benefit students.
AMOUNT:
Maximum award of $1,000 per program project.
A minimum of 10 awards will be awarded per year.
ELIGIBLE
PROJECTS: Items not normally provided through the budgetary
process (Money not intended for payments to district employees for
time spent on projects or for the purchase of computer hardware.)
TIMELINE: Applications are available in
January of each year, with a due date of February 28.
Final decisions will be announced in May annually for the
following school year.
SELECTION
PROCESS: A committee will review the applications in a blind
selection process. The Foundation Board will offer final
approval. Guidelines
and criteria for the grants will be posted on the
website.
For
a Venture Grant application
-
Click
Here
Alternative Education
Alternative
education means providing students opportunities to learn
outside of the traditional classroom atmosphere.
EASD currently operates the Washington Educational Center
(WEC), which allows students the option of attending school for
fewer hours a day via computer classes monitored by a qualified
teaching staff. This no-frills education allows students to finish their
required credits at their own pace.
The Foundation will support the efforts of the Ephrata Area School District to continue
to research and explore new and beneficial ways to support
student learning through alternative methods.
One new option is Blended Schools, which offers a
complete K-12 online core curriculum created by PA teachers and
aligned to national standards and the PA Academic Standards.
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