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Reporting on science, technology and innovation in Arizona and the Southwest through a collaboration from Arizona NPR member stations. This project is funded in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.Additional stories from the Arizona Science Desk are posted at our collaborating station, KJZZ: http://kjzz.org/science

USDA Awards Science Education Grant To AWC

Craig Fry - AWC

Arizona Western College (AWC) received a $250,000 grant from the US Department of Agriculture(USDA) for agricultural science education.

AWC is one of 30 Hispanic-serving colleges and universities selected nationally.  The USDA announced the grant recipients Oct 20.

Cecilia Vigil, AWC professor of biology, co-wrote the college’s grant proposal. She said the money will go towards agriculture and environmental classes that focus on scientific literacy and climate change, as well as scholarships and lab equipment. Another goal is to expand the outdoor lab on campus – which includes a tortoise habitat – with more native plants, walkways, and a new butterfly shelter.

The USDA will provide a total of nearly $9 million to the 30 schools. Two additional community colleges in Arizona received funding, Pima Community College in Tucson and Central Arizona Community College in Coolidge.