US Environmental Protection Agency Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators (PIAEE) Winner

Our very own Mid-Level Director, Jackie Scott has been named as one of PIAEE Winners. During the pandemic in 2020, students at Horace Mann Arts and Science Middle School in Little Rock, Arkansas, were disappointed when the school science fair was cancelled. Luckily, Mrs. Scott came to the rescue. After helping students conduct their own research, she helped them come together to create the school’s native plant garden as a substitute activity. With all the experimentation and real-life application of the traditional science fair, Mrs. Scott’s garden project used a special notebook—one she created herself—to guide students as they researched plant species, ideal placement, soil quantities, and more. It had the additional benefit of teaching students about the importance of teamwork, whether that be coordinating with the engineering class to manufacture the garden beds or collaborating with the art class for beautiful art pieces about the native plants.

At her middle school, Mrs. Scott is grateful for the opportunity to teach students through experience. With today’s limited outdoor, hands-on student experiences, her lessons are increasingly vital. With respect to the native plant garden, students could make their research come to life as they read about the plants and insects that they personally selected and handled. Additionally, Mrs. Scott’s teachings are a crossover of science, math, and art, proving that practical knowledge is never confined to a single field. Above all, Mrs. Scott emphasizes the importance of using science wisely and sustainably—students created their garden after thorough research on sustainable mulch, the importance of planting native species, and environmentally friendly agricultural practices.