Parke Heritage High School

Parke Heritage High School biology teacher Susan Seitz has been awarded a $4,150 Envision Equity Grant from the NEA Foundation. The grant will fund her project, Environmental Literacy with STEM Integration, which gives students in Biology I the chance to tackle pressing environmental challenges through project-based learning.
The Envision Equity Grant program, offered by the NEA Foundation, supports K–12 educators who design projects advancing equity, cultural understanding, civic engagement, and real-world problem-solving. Grants range from $1,500 to $5,000 and are awarded exclusively to NEA members for year-long classroom and community projects.
Seitz’s project will guide students through four hands-on, real-world projects throughout the school year. Each project is rooted in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), while also building the “4 Cs” of 21st-century learning—collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking.
The first project will connect students with two community partners: the Parke Vermillion County Humane Society and the Vermillion County Soil and Water Conservation District. Together, they will explore the theme of “Clean Water and Safe Water,” focusing on the environmental and community impact of water quality.
Additional projects will expand into broader environmental challenges, including:
- Waste Management in the School – addressing how schools can reduce, reuse, and recycle more effectively.
- Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) – examining the science, ethics, and community impact of GMOs.
- Evolution of Invasive Species – studying how non-native species spread and affect Indiana ecosystems.
By integrating environmental literacy with STEM, the program aims to prepare students not only for academic success but also for active citizenship. Students will collaborate with local organizations, investigate authentic community issues, and design solutions that make a tangible difference.
“Real-world learning connects students to their community in powerful ways,” said Seitz. “This grant allows my students to take science beyond the classroom walls and develop skills they’ll use for the rest of their lives.”
The NEA Foundation’s Envision Equity Grants have helped thousands of educators nationwide bring innovative, equity-centered projects to life. For Seitz and her students at Parke Heritage, the $4,150 award will spark a year of discovery, problem-solving, and meaningful community impact.