Lincoln Elementary 3rd graders Tejon Barnes, Aida Garcia, Javon Sankoh, and Amanda Dixon join Community Foundation Trustee Patty Hurwitz and Earth and Space Science Laboratory Co-Director Mark Bowman at one of the two stream tables made possible by a recent Community Foundation grant.

Earth and Space Science Lab Receives Community Foundation Grant

February 15, 2008: Since 1962, The Earth and Space Science Laboratory at Lincoln Elementary School has fascinated Frederick County Public Schools students with the wonders of science. Thousands have passed through its doors to learn about astronomy, oceanography, geology and meteorology. Many have gone on to careers in science thanks to the spark ignited through imaginative learning at the hands-on lab. And, The Earth and Space Science Laboratory’s unique planetarium has given the community a greater understanding of the universe and countless hours of enjoyment.

The Community Foundation of Frederick County recently recognized the important role The Earth and Space Science Laboratory plays in lifelong learning by awarding a $2,500 grant to purchase two stream tables for its geology and oceanography labs to support third and fifth grade earth science curriculums.

According to Mark Bowman, Co-Director of The Earth and Space Science Laboratory, over 18,000 students and more than 650 teachers use the Lab each school year as an integral part of earth science instruction.

“The hands-on activities we are able to provide to students extend and enrich the learning they do at their own school,” Bowman said. “The stream tables made possible by the Community Foundation’s grant will teach children about the intricacies of the water cycle, the importance of the Chesapeake Bay as both an estuary and a watershed, and how pollution and erosion affect the Bay.”

The recent grant awarded to The Earth and Space Science Laboratory is part of the Community Foundation’s yearly grant cycle, which runs from August 15 through November 1 each year, made possible by generous donors who create new funds or add to existing funds supporting a range of worthy causes. Among those are educational initiatives, health and human service programs, arts and civic organizations, and historic preservation projects.

The Community Foundation of Frederick County is a leading philanthropic organization dedicated to creating positive and lasting change throughout Frederick County by awarding grants to nonprofit organizations and scholarships to students. To date, more than $17 million dollars has been returned to the Frederick County community. Information about the Community Foundation and its 600+ charitable funds is available on this website or by calling 301.695.7660.