We’re proud to share that Stroud Water Research Center has received an Award for Excellence in Exemplary Partnership (Organizational) from the Delaware Association for Environmental Education — a meaningful recognition of the work our education team does every day to connect people with watershed science and the shared responsibility of protecting water.
DAEE’s award celebrates the Stroud Center’s two-year partnership with Red Clay Consolidated School District (RCCSD) in northern Delaware through Delaware Open Outdoors for Kids (OOK). Together, we’re helping students build a lasting understanding of the places water comes from, where it goes, and why it matters.
Delaware OOK is designed to deliver high-quality watershed education through a mix of onsite and online learning, supporting teachers and engaging students in experiences that are hands-on, inquiry-driven, and rooted in real-world science. The program creates opportunities for students to explore outdoors, ask questions, gather evidence, and learn how land use and everyday choices influence water quality.
Just as important, the partnership strengthens educators’ ability to lead learning that lasts. Through teacher professional development, Delaware OOK helps teachers feel confident bringing watershed concepts into the classroom and using their local environment as a living laboratory.
Building capacity and confidence in outdoor education among the district’s teachers was critical to the program’s success. During the 2023–2024 school year, the program launched as a pilot with a portion of RCCSD’s fifth-grade classes and teachers. Building on early momentum, Delaware OOK is expanding in 2024–2025 to a district-wide implementation.
At the Stroud Center, we know water moves beyond political and geographic boundaries — and so does the responsibility to care for it. By integrating research into education and partnering with schools, we’re helping cultivate the next generation of informed, curious stewards working toward clean water and healthy streams.
We’re grateful to DAEE, to our partners at RCCSD, and to every teacher and student making this work possible, and we congratulate our education team on this well-deserved honor.
Does your organization pay business taxes in Pennsylvania? Did you know you can receive up to 90% of a donation to the Stroud Center back in tax credits? Learn more about how the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program can improve educational opportunities and benefit your business. Contact us at development@stroudcenter.org.
