Destiny 2021 Q3

Vanderbilt Museum’s Astronomy Outreach Program Reaches the Stars Mercy Works Readies Students for the Future Earthwatch: FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA The 2020 Hoops for the Stars Zone Defense

DESTINY INTERACTIVE XVI Q3 2021

“The Moon” poster courtesy of Vanderbilt Museum

NATIONAL GRID FOUNDATION — DESTINY INTERACTIVE XVI Q3 2021  Editor/Christine Berardi  Contributing Writer/Deborah Drew  Creative Director/Pamela Focá  Executive Director/Edward H. White Jr. Destiny is a quarterly publication created to share and promote the accomplishments of the organizations and programs National Grid Foundation supports.

Vanderbilt Museum’s Astronomy Outreach Program Reaches the Stars

By Christine Berardi

While most teachers dislike it if students “space out” during class time, Vanderbilt Museum’s Astronomy instructors encourage it.

For the third year in a row, thousands of Long Island students learned about space, the sun, the moon and the stars thanks to the Vanderbilt Museum and Reichert Planetarium’s Exploring the Universe Traveling Astronomy Program. Along with schools, the Vanderbilt Museum was closed and did not offer in-person classes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Good thing for the students the learning continued virtually, and it was out of this world.

Last year, Vanderbilt science educators offered new STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) classes as part of the Virtual Astronomy Outreach Program.

Nearly 1,700 students from six schools across Long Island participated in the exciting, interactive astronomy program. The schools are: Birchwood Intermediate School in Huntington Station; Hampton Bays Elementary School in Hampton Bays; Lawrence Elementary School in Lawrence; Lawrence Primary School in Inwood; William Floyd Elementary School in Shirley; and Park Avenue School in Amityville.

The new multimedia, virtual program, developed and presented live by highly trained Vanderbilt science educators to teachers and K-8 students, brought the challenging subjects of astronomy and astrophysics down to Earth. Dave Bush, director of the Reichert Planetarium, said, "We are happy to extend our professional expertise in the field of astronomy education to schools that would not

otherwise be able to visit the Reichert Planetarium.

Our goal is to provide quality programming that sparks curiosity, wonder, and excitement. Students who partake in our presentations are afforded highly engaging visuals and activities that leave lasting impressions. We thank National Grid Foundation for its continuing support of this program."

The two new live/virtual classes included Exploring the Solar System and Space Adventure to the Moon, were developed to expand distance learning opportunities.

Exploring the Solar System introduced students to the Sun, the planets and stars in the Solar System. Through a virtual tour beginning on Earth, students observed the constellations visible during the season when they take the class and learn how to recognize planets from stars in the nighttime sky. The tour then blasted off to give students a closer look at planets revolving around the Sun and how Earth’s rotation causes the changes between night and day. Students then returned safely to Earth.

Space Adventure to the Moon began with an exploration of the Sun, Earth and Moon. Students discovered the water cycle through an active kinesthetic activity, learned about different types of clouds, and studied how rainbows form and where to spot one. Vanderbilt educators and students then lifted off to the surface of the Moon and learned about its changing phases. A tour of the Moon wouldn’t be complete without discussing the historic Apollo 11 program and Moon

Photo: Jennifer Vacca

landing. Students viewed real footage of scientific experiments and discuss upcoming lunar missions.

At the end of the program, students received all-inclusive complimentary Passport to the Stars tickets for a future visit to the Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium.

In addition to the new education programs, the original Nature Trail was reclaimed and restored after more than 70 years. William K. Vanderbilt II who was a businessman, philanthropist and naturalist lived on the property in Centerport, NY. Now, it’s the home of the Vanderbilt Mansion, Museum and Reichert Planetarium.

Dave Bush made it his mission to restore the original trail and even added to it. Due to the topography

of the property, the one-mile, one-way looped trail is an intermediate level trail. Beginning hikers need not worry – there are two locations along the way to exit the path and head to the parking lot.

A scale-model of the solar system with instructional signage is part of the trail. The Vanderbilt Museum designed the new outdoor classroom to inspire students and other visitors to learn and appreciate astronomy and Long Island’s indigenous plants and wildlife. Virtual field trips are in production and will soon be available.

National Grid Foundation has supported Vanderbilt Museum and Reichert Planetarium for nine years through various science education programs. ❧

To find out more visit Vanderbilt Museum

National Grid Foundation

Michael Taunton Resigns from

Foundation Board of Directors For almost 20 years, Mike Taunton has served National Grid Foundation on its Board of Directors and on several committees.

He resigned from the board in January 2012 and was re-elected to the board as Director and Treasurer in March 2015. His resignation is effective after the September 2021 Board Meeting.

Taunton brought his many years of financial management experience to National Grid Foundation. He was the Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Risk Officer for KeySpan Corporation, a predecessor company of National Grid. After KeySpan, he served as Vice President and Treasurer for Arrow Electronics, and as Chief Financial Officer for Posillico Inc. and the Long Island Power Authority.

His diverse background includes CFO, accounting, finance and treasury functions; strategic planning; capital management; transition and business process improvement and risk management.

He has also taken a lead role in Investor Relations.

Last year, Destiny highlighted Taunton in its Board Member Moment feature. Michael Taunton Board Member Moment - page 2 As Taunton transitions from the Foundation Board, he will focus on family; he is a devoted husband and proud father and grandfather.

In an email to the board of directors he wrote, “The time has come for me to resign from the Board of the National Grid Foundation. It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve the Foundation for almost 20 years under the excellent leadership of Basil Patterson, Bob Catell, Al Wiltshire and Eileen Cohen. While I am proud of the growth of the Foundation during this time, I am prouder of the millions we have donated to the local communities we serve. Our efforts during the pandemic illustrate the value of the Foundation as we stepped up to support the organizations that best serve those in need.”

National Grid Foundation Chair Eileen Cohen said, “Mike has been a valuable member of the board and a strong leader in his role as Treasurer and Chair of the Investment Committee. He will be sorely missed and a hard act to follow. On behalf of the Board and the staff, I want to wish Mike all the best and thank him for his many years of service.”

National Grid Foundation

Photos: Mercy Works

Mercy Works Readies Students for the Future Syracuse’s Mercy Works believes in empowering people to define their life’s vision for future success.

Its Synergy Leadership Program provides urban young adults with that encouragement, education and workforce training. The 10-week professional development and paid internship program equips lowincome undergraduate students with the knowledge, skills, experience and character development necessary to grow, effect change and ensure a successful future.

The 2021 Mercy Works Synergy program cohort of students completed a four-day orientation providing the needed tools for success. Four days a week, the students of diverse backgrounds and fields of study were placed with 24 partner organizations for reallife work experiences. On Fridays, the rising young professionals returned to the Clarence Jordan Vision Center (where Mercy Works is located) for a full day of

development and training. The four pillars of the program are: professional development, health and wellness, financial management and service growth. The program concluded with a graduation ceremony in August.

“It has been amazing to watch our Synergy students blossom and transform right before our eyes,” said Nati Torrence, Mercy Works Program Director.

“Synergy students not only gain professional skills, and learn how to work collaborative, but also grow in understanding about who they are as individuals.

The workshops they experience during their 10-week journey with us positions them to be well-rounded, civically engaged and community oriented young adults.

It is rewarding to see the lasting relationships that are made with staff, fellow students and mentors.” ❧

National Grid Foundation

Mercy Works Student Profiles

Tajaneah Williams

Canab Sheekh-Nuur

Meet Tajaneah Williams, SUNY Oswego, ’21, Human Development Major. As the first person in her family to attend graduate school, Tajaneah understands that it takes hard work and a supportive community to reach new heights. Having experienced the loss of her sister to cancer at a young age, Tajaneah is interested in providing comfort to others through grief counseling and hospice care.

Meet Canab Sheekh-Nuur, Syracuse University ’21, Political Science Major. Canab has participated in Synergy for the last four years and is now headed to Howard Law School. As a Somali refugee, Canab is passionate about improving the lives of immigrants and aspires to specialize in immigration law. She attributes much of her professional development and invaluable internship experiences to Synergy.

Tajaneah added, “Synergy gave me a whole new perspective on my own community. Syracuse has a lot of social, environmental and economic issues. The highlight for me was giving away food to 150 families. I’ve been engaged with Synergy for two years and it has helped me prepare professionally and understand career opportunities. To our donors, please continue to give because it’s a phenomenal experience that not only helps me realize my own potential but the potential of Syracuse to be a better place to live.”

“Synergy has paved the way for me to be attending law school. Over the last 4 years, I have had the opportunity to intern at law firms and make connections with mentors. I am so grateful for the opportunities Synergy has provided me.

In this program, students have nothing to lose and everything to gain. I am living proof that the students donors are supporting are actually achieving their dreams,” Canab Sheekh-Nuur said.

Tajaneah has blossomed personally and professionally during her time at Synergy. The organization believes that she will continue to make an impact in her community and beyond.

Canab’s future is incredibly bright and we wish her the best in her next chapter at law school.

Earthwatch:

By Deborah Drew

FROM

What do the lyrics to America the B non-profit that sends teams of teachers off into the w and in turn, brings those learnings back t

Photo: Earthwatch

M SEA TO SHINING SEA

Beautiful have to do with a special world to learn science and environmental education, to thousands of students in local schools?

Photo: Earthwatch

This year, due to COVID restrictions, the three Earthwatch Fellows who are supported by funding from the National Grid Foundation had to limit their expeditions to domestic travel. Normally, the world is their research classroom. This summer (July 2021) the trio embarked upon a voyage near and dear to all: Climate Change: Sea to Trees at Acadia National Park.

The Park already is feeling the impacts of climate change, owing in part to its position at the southern boundary of boreal forests and on the coast of the rapidly changing Gulf of Maine. In fact, the forests and intertidal zone are expected to change more dramatically as a result of climate change than most

other national parks. On this expedition, teachers worked closely with Earthwatch scientists to inventory plants, algae, invertebrates, mammals, and birds at several forest and intertidal research sites that are important to park management goals. By participating in these biodiversity surveys, teachers are helping scientists to understand biodiversity shifts occurring in the park, determine how climate change is influencing community composition, and evaluate the impact of management actions in benefiting target native species and promoting resilience to disturbance. And all this testing, research and knowledge also transitions back into classrooms at the teachers’ home schools.

Critical to helping to ensuring a sustainable future for the park and the ecological community it supports, the team spent seven days in the field contributing to the research for Acadia National Park and its School Education and Research Center.

For approximately three years, the Foundation has supported Earthwatch’s Teach Earth: Preparing Boston Teachers to Thrive in Science and Environmental Education program.

Earthwatch provides research teams studying global environmental and conservation challenges with the funding and volunteers they need to scale up their research and collect larger amounts of data than would otherwise be possible. These “expeditions” challenge individuals to leave their comfort zone, and encourage them focus on a variety of sustainability and conservation issues including resource use, land stewardship, cultural awareness, and social equity.

The three National Grid Foundation fellows often join up with other Massachusettsbased teachers of a similar grade level.

Each fellow on the team creates a lesson plan on a different topic that is tied to state science standards. Teachers work together so that all of the lesson plans roll up to a cohesive environmental education unit that each teacher can use in the classroom. ❧

Photo: Earthwatch

Meet The Acadia National Park Fellows Lauren Nickerson

Clarence R. Edwards Middle School, Boston, MA 7th Grade Teacher, General Science

Lauren is a science teacher for Boston Public Schools. She has a love for traveling, adventure, and a passion for learning. Having this opportunity to be a Teach Earth Fellow and grow her love of exploring, meeting new people, learning more about the world, and being able to bring back greater opportunities for her students is what makes this expedition so meaningful.

Alicia Fessenden

Dudley Street Neighborhood Charter School, Roxbury, MA 4th & 5th Grade Teacher, Special Education & ESL Alicia is a native Mainer who teaches special education and English as a second language in the Roxbury section of Boston. She also lives in Roxbury with her two pets, a rescue dog and a small parrot. In 2019, Alicia’s other job as a potter brought her to Bali, Indonesia, where she worked as an intern at Gaya Ceramic Arts Center. Alicia is excited to explore one of the most beautiful parts of her home state this summer with Earthwatch!

Juanita Shaffer-Ratzlaff

Boston Community Leadership Academy, Boston, MA 10th– 12th Grade Teacher, Biology & Chemistry, Science Lead Teacher Juanita is a biology teacher at a Boston Public School. She has spent the last COVID-filled year exploring the urban wilds in and around Boston to connect with nature when human connection was limited. Juanita looks forward to collaborating with others who love biology, teaching, and enjoying the outdoors while on the expedition. She is excited about incorporating the Earthwatch experience and learned research techniques into her curriculum and classroom to increase student engagement and learning.

Photo: Earthwatch

The 2020 Hoops for the Stars

Schools Combat Covid with a

Zoned Defense

By Deborah Drew

Hoops for the Stars (HFTS) is a program executed by select local colleges and universities in the National Grid Foundation service area to promote and encourage academic success for school-age children in underserved communities.

Last year, three resilient schools “boxed out” COVID challenges and employed the a most impressive virtual zone defense on behalf of the Foundation, their schools and thousands of elementary school children in Albany, Buffalo and Providence.

A zone defense is a basketball strategy in which players guard a specific zone or area of the court instead of a specific player on the opposing team.

University at Buffalo, Siena College and Providence College strategically guarded the mission of Hoops for the Stars and collectively delivered videos and programming in a virtual format that focused on everything from academics to teamwork, and included incentives for outstanding schoolwork.

National Grid Foundation

UB participated in five separate video calls with its HFTS schools in which UB student athletes served as role models and answered questions and reinforced messaging around getting good grades, staying healthy, and being community-minded. It also produced and shared multiple videos with the Buffalo Public School system covering topics around academics, mindfulness and sleep, nutrition and hydration and physical activity. At the conclusion of the program, local schools selected five student Stars of the Year who received UB autographed basketballs, congratulatory notes from key basketball players, visits (where possible) from UB coaches, players and staff, and UB/HFTS apparel.

“These teams really stepped up, got creative and worked hard on behalf of the young students and the Foundation to keep everyone safe and at the same time deliver outstanding programming, It’s rare to see such tenacity. We are incredibly proud of our partnerships with these schools, its athletes and staff.”

— Ed White, Executive Director, National Grid Foundation

National Grid Foundation

Siena College

The Siena basketball players and coaching staff all joined virtual calls with four local Albany-area elementary schools. Over the course of the hour-long conversations, students got to ask players and the coaching staff questions about being a college athlete. Each visit highlighted the importance of a healthy lifestyle with a strong emphasis on academic success. Siena also supported this program with posts on social media; Siena Athletics social media channels have more than 34,000 followers.

Providence College

PC revamped the HFTS program with 10 motivating videos starring it’s players and coaching staff that were shared with students in the Providence Public Schools.

Topics covered physical education, nutrition, teamwork, healthy habits, academic tips and more. The videos also were posted on social media and the College’s website which extended its reach even more elementary school children.

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.

— Albert Einstein

Beam Center Boston Public Library Change is Simple Cristo Rey Discovery Museum Friends of the Children Madison Square Strive Boston Vanderbilt Museum VIA Wade Institute Watch CDC YMCA Youth Build Boston

Photo: Earthwatch