The students then choose a particular threatened or endangered species from that ecosystem. Classrooms and schools that adopt a species may then submit the results of their project, as well as the conservation action plan they have developed, to a statewide competition. The winning school or classroom is then invited to send student representatives to Sacramento for a visit with their government officials. The Environmental Education Competitive Grant Program offers grants for school science programs related to the State Science Framework. This program is coordinated by the Science and Environmental Education Unit of the California Department of Education.
Applications require letters of support.
Statewide workshops are held to guide applicants. Competitive Grant applications must be potmarked or submitted to the CDE by May 31. Grant funds are usually disbursed in the winter months. The primary purpose of these grants is to benefit students in kindergarten to grade twelve in the study of environmental education. There is a two-step application screening process.