ITEM FILE PHOTO
Thomas Campbell and his father Tom study species in tide pools at Northeastern Marine Science Center in Nahant.
By THOMAS GRILLO
LYNN – The Friends of Lynn & Nahant Beach have awarded a $5,000 grant to support marine education in the Lynn Public Schools.
The award, to the Northeastern University’s Marine Science Center in Nahant, will allow their staff to offer marine science programs to students at the Aborn, Brickett, Harrington, and Hood elementary schools.
“This is all about providing marine education activities and programs in the elementary schools closest to the ocean,” said Robert Tucker, president of the Friends of Lynn & Nahant Beach. “Educating the next generation about the importance of the ocean and our beaches is a priority.”
This latest grant brings to more than $10,000 in financial support the Friends have provided to the Center for the Lynn schools since 2014.
The grant will also support the attendance of seven dozen high school students from English, Classical and Lynn Vocational Technical high schools to attend the 2017 High School Marine Science Symposium in March.
Dr. Catherine Latham, superintendent of Lynn Schools, said the grant provides some of the city’s youngest and oldest students with the quality marine science programming offered by Northeastern.
“We thank the Friends for their generosity and continued support,” Latham said in a statement.
Carole McCauley, Marine Science Center Outreach Program coordinator, said the grant allows them to continue to provide environmental literacy in Lynn elementary schools with hands-on marine education activities that help students understand and appreciate their environment.
Last year, the grant reached 775 Lynn elementary school children.
Friends is a 25-year-old organization whose mission is to enhance Lynn’s shore and Nahant Beach state reservations by partnering with residents, educators, elected officials, and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.
The nonprofit raises money through membership dues and grants to pay for school programs, a summer concert series and other events.
Thomas Grillo can be reached at [email protected].