Since 2021 the Merito Foundation has organized the Ventura River Action Network for 6th through 12th graders.
The V-RAN program includes Professional Development (PD) outdoors in the field, PD webinars, Science Curricula, and stipends to science teachers of VUSD enrolled in the program. The teachers' students (~600-700 per school year) are participating in in-class science activities, virtual and in the field youth community science experiences at Ventura River Watershed, and project-based learning through the EECCOA Challenge (a green STEM competition) with cash and in-kind prizes for students, and funds to implement the most cost-effective proposal to reduce the carbon footprint of the school campus authored by the students.
The program includes field trips to monitor the river and visit Matilija Dam. Visit the Story Map to learn more:
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| https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/4d93e82e5977448996aa64ba1e3d18a2 |
