The partnership between Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center (PWELC), New London-Spicer Schools, Lac qui Parle Valley High School, Sleepy Eye High School, St. Mary’s School, Westbrook-Walnut Grove School, Willmar High School, Yellow Medicine East High School, and numerous business partners was awarded a $49,938 LYFT Pathways grant to support the advancement of Youth Eco Solutions (YES!), a successful model for project-based learning. With LYFT support, YES will provide additional resources to teachers looking for ecological project-based learning opportunities and a tiered competitive model that allows for student interaction across school districts.

The purpose of this project is to help students will learn about career opportunities related to ecological sustainability while gaining critical workforce skills by solving real-world ecological challenges. Students, teachers, and schools will gain access to project-based learning modules and resources tied to the new Minnesota science standards. Through unique project-based learning opportunities, students will become ecological innovators that help communities implement real-world solutions to ecological challenges. A portion of the funds will be spent to support educational instruction, work-based learning opportunities, and modification of the delivery method and teacher resources for YES! to accommodate more students/schools.

During the 2020-21 school year, 142 students participated in this course. 

During the 2021-22 school year, 115 students participated in this course. 

For more information, contact the Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center.