2015 -- H 6048

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LC002407

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $500,000 FOR THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF

OCEANOGRAPHY CENTER FOR OCEAN EXPLORATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF

RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Naughton, Regunberg, Ackerman, Canario, and Craven

     Date Introduced: April 08, 2015

     Referred To: House Finance

     WHEREAS, The Graduate School of Oceanography at the University of Rhode Island is

a well-respected international and national center of excellence; and

     WHEREAS, The Center for Ocean Exploration STEM (Science, Technology,

Engineering, Mathematics) Project is designed to help teachers develop their 21st century

teaching skills while learning to use STEM curricula with their students. Currently, the STEM

Project serves over 1,000 students and teachers across the state with its after-school initiative,

known as the Rhode Island Community STEM Program, and has established a panoply of

educational goals and strategies to engage students in the areas of science and technology

literacy, as well as help teachers to motivate students, integrate technology into lesson plans, and

more effectively manage their classrooms; and

     WHEREAS, Working in collaboration with the University of Rhode Island, the Ocean

Exploration Trust, and other STEM related entities within the State of Rhode Island including,

schools and after-school programs like the Boys and Girls Clubs throughout Rhode Island, the

STEM Project seeks to implement the internationally recognized best STEM program in Rhode

Island; and

     WHEREAS, In order to significantly expand the implementation of STEM, and to

establish the Scholarship Program, the Graduate School of Oceanography Center for Ocean

Exploration is requesting five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) for a public/private

partnership, of which two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) will be used for such things as:

Certification of Lead Teachers, including stipends for involvement;

Grants to schools and organizations for program implementation;

Training for Educators and Youth Workers;

Curriculum for schools and after-school programs;

Involvement of students, teachers, and educators in the Ocean Exploration

Center's sea-going programs;

"Live" interactive programming for schools and after-school programs in the

State; and

     The remaining three hundred thousand ($300,000) will be used for the Graduate School

of Oceanography Center for Ocean Exploration Scholarship Program for graduate students; and

     WHEREAS, State investment will be matched by one million five hundred thousand

dollars ($1,500,000) in private support; and

     WHEREAS, The Center for Ocean Exploration's goal is to reach educators and students

in the program, for a net investment by the state of fifty dollars ($50.00) per child; and

     WHEREAS, The STEM Project will focus on low- and moderate-income level students,

as determined by Title 1 eligibility, and will specifically address the achievement gap among low-

and moderate-income students in Title 1 communities; and

     WHEREAS, The Graduate School of Oceanography Center for Ocean Exploration

STEM Project and Scholarship Program will make a real difference for participating youth and

has already had a significant impact on closing the achievement gap for many students; now,

therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That there is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the treasury not

otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year 2015-2016 and subsequent years, the sum of five

hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) for the Graduate School of Oceanography Center for Ocean

Exploration to implement activities outlined within this resolution; and the state controller is

hereby authorized and directed to draw his orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of

said sum, or so much thereof as may be from time to time required, upon receipt by him of

properly authenticated vouchers.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $500,000 FOR THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF

OCEANOGRAPHY CENTER FOR OCEAN EXPLORATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF

RHODE ISLAND

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     This resolution would authorize the appropriation of the sum of $500,000 dollars for the

Graduate School of Oceanography Center for Ocean Exploration.

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