NYLC Receives Federal Funding for Middle School Initiative

The National Youth Leadership Council is a recipient of Learn and Serve America funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service, one of seven sites nationally to receive federal funding to support middle school students’ science, technology, engineering, and math education.

Nearly $900,000 over two years will support NYLC’s “Generator Go Green” Initiative, and help economically disadvantaged middle school students in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Chicago, and the Gulf Coast create more environmentally sustainable communities. Students in 21 schools will identify issues and develop projects that address these needs — such as conducting school energy audits — while gaining exposure to “green” careers.

“Middle school students have great capacity to contribute which is often overlooked,” says NYLC CEO Jim Kielsmeier. “We plan to tap their interests and passions for creating a more sustainable world through projects that range from energy audits to coastline reclamation. Young people will change from students to scientists,” he added.

Schools will share their experiences through NYLC’s Generator School Network community, which has an online component and operates through a series of urban “hubs” throughout the country.

Representative Betty McCollum (D-MN), a strong supporter of service-learning as a school improvement strategy, was most excited about students’ exposure to so-called “STEM” careers which are “particularly important in a green economy,” she said.

National partners in the project include the Alliance to Save Energy, the American Association for School Administrators, National Middle School Association, and the University of Minnesota’s International Center for Research on Community Engagement.

State Farm® Companies Foundation supports the GSN, and also has supported a Gulf Coast WalkAbout summer service-learning program, both of which provide the foundation for this work.