News Release
Jan. 6, 2004
PNM Awards $50,000 to Teachers Statewide
Albuquerque: PNM has awarded $50,000 in grants to
provide teachers throughout New Mexico with tools to implement
projects that explore water issues. These are the first annual
PNM Earth Study Grants, each worth $1,000.
"PNM Earth Study Grants were awarded to teachers, but
the real winners are the students who will benefit from studying
the role water plays in our state," said Diane Harrison
Ogawa, director of PNM Community Relations. "These grants
will allow students in every class – English, mathematics
and science – to study one of the top environmental
issues in our state."
Applications for these new annual grants were due in November,
and about 200 teachers across the state applied. Fifty grants
were announced in December, giving teachers the holiday break
to prepare their programs for second semester.
Among the ideas funded are:
- Watercatcher, proposed by Camille Dominguez of Albuquerque
Country Day School in Albuquerque: In conjunction with the
art, physical science, earth science and biology curricula,
students will create a device to save and harvest rainwater
in support of an ornamental garden of their creation. They
will investigate the principles of sustainable ecological
design, design a garden space, calculate water requirements,
explore and draw on strategies and aesthetics used by regional
cultures, and maintain and grow the garden.
- A Report Card on Green Acres, proposed by Terry Pipkin
of Highland Elementary of Clovis: Students will investigate
Green Acres, a collection spot for the communities’
run-off and stopping point for migratory birds. Based on
the water quality findings, the class will create a service
project to improve the site and benefit the community.
- Can You Be Drinking the Same Water a T-Rex Drank Centuries
Ago? Proposed by Darrell Creel of Hayes Middle School in
Albuquerque: This grant will allow special education classes
to explore the water cycle through multimedia technology
and literacy. Students will observe, analyze and record
data on an individual water cycle terrarium.
- Ensabada Fire Watershed, proposed by Roy Sharfin, Jason
Weisfeld, Elizabeth Taylor, Pertalina Medina, Priscilla
Romo and Jodi Irons of Enos Garcia Elementary School in
Taos: Fifth-grade student teams from Enos Garcia Elementary
and Taos Pueblo Day School will visit the burned area above
Taos Pueblo to collect data on the soil, water, plant, animal
and microscopic life present in each plot. This data will
facilitate studying erosion and water content in a burn
area. Students also will visit the site of the Hondo Fire
of 1999.
- Drip Systems vs. Field Flooding, proposed by Stephen Glines
of Sierra Elementary Complex in TorC: Using a small greenhouse
with two sets of trees from the area, students will simulate
field flooding and drip irrigation to track water usage
and plant growth. Students will design a chart representing
the data, hopefully showing drip irrigation has the same
plant growth with less water use.
To learn about the 50 PNM Earth Study Grants awarded statewide,
visit PNM.com.
PNM is the principal subsidiary of PNM Resources,
an energy holding company based in Albuquerque. PNM provides
electric utility service to 387,000 customers and natural
gas service to 450,000 customers in New Mexico. The company
also sells power on the wholesale market in the Western U.S.
PNM Resources stock is traded primarily on the NYSE under
the symbol PNM.
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