Worcester Tree Initiative, an independent program of the Worcester County Horticultural Society, has been awarded one of six National Seed Grants from the JetBlue Foundation.
This STEM Education Seed Grant Award of $10,000 will be used to develop a STEM education program in the Worcester area that explores the intersection of urban forestry and aviation. Working with Girls Inc. and the Boys and Girls Club, Worcester Tree Initiative will educate youth about using aviation technology to gather information about the health of trees and forests.
Worcester Tree Initiative was recognized by JetBlue in New York City on March 31st, along with five other grantees from around the country: Trident Technical College in Charlestown, South Carolina; Hiller Aviation Museum of San Francisco, California; Vaugh College of New York City, New York; and our neighbors from Norwood, Massachusetts, Above the Clouds. Each of the programs teaches young people about aeronautics and inspires future careers in STEM fields.
The JetBlue Foundation seeks out programs focusing on communities traditionally under-represented in STEM fields including women, minority groups and veterans.
The Worcester County Horticultural Society is the parent organization of New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill, which is located in Boylston, Massachusetts.