ALCOA
FOUNDATION AWARDS $1,000 GRANT TO BLACKSTONE VALLEY TOURISM COUNCIL FOR
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
Partial Scholarships
Available for Area Schools to Participate in River Classrooms
Pawtucket, RI-The
Blackstone Valley Tourism Council is pleased to announce that Alcoa
Foundation has awarded a $1,000 grant for educational programs.
Patricia McAlpine,
Education Coordinator says, "This generous grant will make partial
scholarships available to schools in Cumberland, Central Falls, and
Woonsocket, and will offer students who may not otherwise have the
opportunity a chance to participate in a hands-on educational
experience aboard the Blackstone Valley Explorer."
River Classrooms include River Studies
and Heritage Studies. During a River Studies program, students will
learn about the river’s ecosystem and observe the many species of flora
and fauna along the river, perform water testing and interpret the
results, and discuss how they can help keep the river clean. A Heritage
Studies program provides students with an opportunity to discuss
waterpower and discover the Blackstone River as the impetus to America's
Industrial Revolution. Partial Scholarships may also be applied a
River-in-the-Classroom, an educational outreach program or other
educational programs that will be made available in the future.
"Alcoa is proud to contribute to
the education of environmental concerns and how to prevent pollution,"
Peter Behmke, Plant Manager for the Cumberland, RI facility. "Students
on the trips are future leaders and policy makers in Rhode Island, who
will benefit from learning the valuable history of the Blackstone
River."
Established in 1952, Alcoa Foundation
is a global resource that actively invests in improving the quality of
life in more than 32 countries around the world where Alcoa operates.
The Foundation's grants address global and local needs in Areas of
Excellence that include: Conservation and Sustainability, Global
Education and Workplace Skills, Business and Community Partnerships and
Safe and Healthy Children and Families. Alcoa Flexible Packaging's
Cumberland operation, located at 70 Industrial Road, Cumberland, RI, is
a specialty packaging manufacturer that designs and manufactures
value-added plastic-based thermoformed packaging products.
For more information about River
Classroom or other educational programs offered by the Blackstone Valley
Tourism Council contact Patricia McAlpine, Education Coordinator at
401-724-2200. For more information about Alcoa Foundation or Alcoa
Flexible Packaging contact Rachel O’Neil at 401-333-6363.
Blackstone Valley Visitor
Center, On the banks of the Blackstone, 175 Main Street, Pawtucket, Rhode Island 02860