Monterey Trail High School’s Design and Technology Academy (DATA) has been selected as a recipient of a $5,000 Sacramento Municipal and Utility District (SMUD) Energize Minds for Solar Design grant, as well as a $500 Region 3 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Service-Learning Initiative After School mini-grant from the Yolo County Office of Education (YCOE).

The DATA program will use the grants to implement the new “Don’t Trash the Trail” program at Monterey Trail and to further develop a solar powered trash compactor. The “Don’t Trash the Trail” program focuses on educating the school population on the importance of environmental issues. The solar powered trash compactor, which is one-third of the program, is being developed to encourage students and staff to dispose of their trash properly. Two of Monterey Trail’s recent graduates, James Reede and Gera Groshev, wrote the successful grant proposals.

Launched in 2006, SMUD’s Energize Minds for Solar Design grant program is open to all high schools and community colleges within the SMUD service territory. The program offers $5,000 and $10,000 grants for projects that help students and their community explore solar energy.

STEM Service-Learning Initiative After School Program mini-grants are given to secondary teachers or agencies/non-profit organizations that are partnering with secondary teachers in grades 7-12 to implement service learning projects that integrate STEM coursework and after school programs. Click here for more information about STEM Service-Learning Initiative After School Program mini-grants.

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