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Riparian Institute to take program on road
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Gilbert’s Riparian Institute will hit the road Valleywide with its live bugs, its replica dinosaur bones and other educational exhibits when school resumes in January.
The institute was awarded a $5,500 grant from Qwest Communications as part of the company’s Qwest for Education program.
The Town Council is scheduled to approve the grant during a Tuesday meeting.
The money completes an $18,000 salary for a full-time employee who will run a new program that seeks to bring the institute’s programs and exhibits to students and children who are unable to go to the institute.
Public Allies, an organization which places young leaders in jobs, will fund the remainder of the salary.
“We knew there were a lot of kids that couldn’t come out to the property to get an experience,” said Lisa Herrmann, program coordinator for the institute. “We’re going to be looking at schools that have need. The schools that can’t afford the transportation.”
Other schools may restrict field trips, she said. The institute will provide a free program to needy schools that apply, but will also offer the program to any school or group that applies, for $150.
Town spokesman Greg Svelund said the program will help expand the presence of the institute, where attendance has been on the rise.
While programs such as digging for dinosaur bones will only be available at the Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch at Greenfield and Guadalupe roads, programs teaching about plants growing from seed to flower, about live bugs, dinosaurs and ancient cultures, will be included in the road program.
The institute also is planning several more programs, including an after-school program through the Gilbert Unified School District.
Tonight, the institute is hosting Kids Night Out where, for $25, children can be dropped off at 6 p.m. at the park for a variety of activities including astronomy, arts and crafts, a nature walk and a dinosaur dig of fake bones buried in sand until 10 p.m.
For information on upcoming programs, visit www.riparianinstitute.org or call (480) 503-6744.
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