Elms Environmental Center

The home of outdoor environmental science for St. Mary's County Public Schools.

Teacher Portal

What is Your Connection to Nature?

Connections to Nature: Looking Inside, Going Outside

The 2025 Ocean Awareness Contest invites students aged 11-18 to share their relationship with the natural world through art, writing, performance, film, or multimedia. Winners may be awarded up to $1,000. Submissions are due on June 9, 2025.

Maryland Association for Environmental & Outdoor Education (MAEOE)

Funding Opportunities Open

MAEOE is accepting applications for the following grants:

Student Action Project: Funds support projects that exemplify student voice and involve a classroom, green team, or youth organization. (Up to $2000 depending on the number of applications recieved.)
Transportation: Funds are available to support transportation to and from environmentally focused field experiences or other relevant events. (Up to $1000 depending on the number of applications recieved.)
Green Team Leader Stipend: Funding to support teachers who lead a Green Team or school club at their school. ($250)
Professional Development: Funds are awarded to organizations that offer training opportunities for educators in Maryland. (Up to $2500 depending on the number of applications recieved.)

MAEOE is also offering one on one support via Grants Application Office Hours from November 5 through December 20.

More information can be found on MAEOE's funding opportunities webpage.

The Value of Outdoor Environmental Education Programs for Girls and Youth of Color: Cultivating Positive Dispositions toward Science and the Environment, 16 September, 2024.

"Findings showed not only that Outdoor Environmental Education experiences can support positive dispositions toward science and the environment, but also that these outcomes are particularly pronounced for youth of color and girls."