A surprise visit from Channel 9 evening news anchor Lesli Foster and Washington Gas representative Michelle Musgrove brightened the day at Matthew Henson Middle School, where computer teacher Derrick Blackwell was honored for his environmental project. This heartwarming event took place during an eighth-grade lunch, just days before the school year ended.
From left, Michelle Musgrove of Washington Gas, left, Derrick Blackwell, a computer science teacher at Matthew Henson Middle School, Henson Principal Christina Caballero and WUSA 9 anchor Lesli Foster are pictured with a novelty check for $5,000. Blackwell was awarded the money for an environmental project that will be completed at the school and maintained by students and staff as part of an EcoChallenge program sponsored in part by WUSA 9 and Washington Gas.
Earlier in the academic year, Blackwell submitted an environmental project for WUSA9's #EnvironmentMatters Eco Challenge. The challenge, in partnership with the Smithsonian Science Education Center, invited teachers from the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area to propose projects that benefit the environment, engage students, and utilize Smithsonian resources.
Blackwell's winning project aimed to attract more bees and other pollinators to the school grounds. Initially focused on the science of pollination, the project soon expanded to include multiple subjects, incorporating art and computer science.
"We are going to build planter boxes to increase the bee and pollinator population around the school," Blackwell explained to Foster during her visit. "Computer science students will help staff members build the boxes, art students will paint the boxes," he added.
Derrick Blackwell, left, a computer science teacher at Matthew Henson Middle School, was surprised recently during the school day by WUSA 9 anchor Lesli Foster, for being one of four winners of WUSA 9's EcoChallenge. Blackwell submitted an environmental project on behalf of Henson that will increase the pollinator population around the school grounds.
Washington Gas, a sponsor of the Eco Challenge, provides $5,000 grants to each of the four winning schools to help kickstart their projects. Blackwell's initiative, which addresses the critical issue of declining pollinator populations, is timely and relevant. The USDA notes that pollinator habitats not only beautify spaces but also enhance biodiversity, control pest insects biologically, and offer valuable community engagement and learning opportunities.
Lesli Foster highlighted the inclusivity and importance of the project, saying, "It sounds like a project that all of you can be a part of. And in order to do a project like this, you need money." The $5,000 grant will be used to purchase supplies for the planter boxes and ensure the project's sustainability.
The excitement at Matthew Henson Middle School mirrored that at Plum Point Elementary School in Calvert County, where WUSA anchor Chick Hernandez recognized two students for their winning Eco Challenge project a day earlier.
The WUSA9 segment on Henson's Eco Challenge win is scheduled to air on the 6 p.m. broadcast on June 18 and will be featured online at WUSA9.com.
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