Mn350

DESCRIPTION:THE OVERALL GOAL OF THIS PROJECT IS TO INCREASE PARTICIPATION IN THE EPA'S CLEAN SCHOOL BUS PROGRAM ACROSS SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN MINNESOTA THROUGH RELATIONSHIP-BUILDING, EDUCATION, AND OUTREACH. MN350'S CLEAN TRANSPORTATION TEAM WILL FOCUS ON ENGAGING COMMUNITY MEMBERS, INITIATING CONVERSATIONS WITHIN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND PROVIDING ANSWERS TO MORE TECHNICAL QUESTIONS.ACTIVITIES: KEY ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE PLANNING AND EXECUTING IN-PERSON EVENTS TO BUILD EXCITEMENT AROUND THE PROGRAM AND EDUCATE PROSPECTIVE PARTICIPANTS, EDUCATING PROSPECTIVE PROGRAM APPLICANTS ON THE SPECIFIC BENEFITS OF DEPLOYING AN ELECTRIC SCHOOL BUS, FACILITATING PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN SCHOOLS THAT SUBMITTED REBATE APPLICATIONS AND THEIR ELECTRIC PROVIDERS IN PRIORITY RURAL AREAS, BUILDING A NETWORK OF TRUSTED STAKEHOLDERS TO SERVE AS LOCAL AMBASSADORS FOR THE PROGRAM, EDUCATING KEY STAKEHOLDERS ON SPECIFIC EPA PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS AND THE APPLICATION PROCESS TO APPLY FOR A BUS IN SUBSEQUENT ROUNDS, AND CREATING AN INFORMATION-SHARING PLATFORM FOR PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS. THIS PLATFORM WILL HELP ENSURE THAT THE SCHOOL'S PARTICIPATION IS A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE FOR TEACHERS, STUDENTS, AND PARENTS BY TROUBLESHOOTING AND SHARING EXPERIENCES.SUBRECIPIENT:NO SUBAWARDS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.OUTCOMES:THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: RECRUITMENT OF NEW VOLUNTEERS FOR SUMMER OUTREACH, IDENTIFICATION OF COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES TO CONNECT WITH PEOPLE ON ELECTRIC SCHOOL BUSES, AND STRENGTHENING RELATIONSHIPS WITH STUDENTS WHILE EXPANDING STUDENT ADVOCACY GROUPS.