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Dominion Helps Fund Maritime Aquarium's Girls In Science Program

NORWALK, Conn. – A $10,000 grant from Dominion Resources to the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk will help as many as 120 students from Bridgeport who participate in “Girls in Science” programs, according to a press release.

Frpm left, Jim Paul of The Maritime Aquarium, Kevin Hennessy of Dominion Resources, Jennifer Herring of The Maritime Aquarium; and State. Sen. Bob Duff (D-Norwalk.)

Frpm left, Jim Paul of The Maritime Aquarium, Kevin Hennessy of Dominion Resources, Jennifer Herring of The Maritime Aquarium; and State. Sen. Bob Duff (D-Norwalk.)

Photo Credit: Contributed.

Girls in grades 4 through 8 at Bridgeport's Beardsley, Park City Magnet and John Winthrop schools will meet with Maritime Aquarium instructors once a week for three months. The students will learn more about animal adaptations, fish and squid anatomy, marine habitats and water pollution.

“As the emphasis on preparing young people for careers in science grows nationally, there is also mounting evidence that girls turn away from science in greater numbers than boys,” Tom Naiman, the aquarium’s director of education, said in a press release.

“A dearth of inspiring experiential opportunities in science and a lack of access to female role models seem to be among the causes of that phenomenon.”

Dominion Resources officials selected the schools based on demonstrated economic need and potential for under-representation in the sciences.

About 97 percent of Beardsley, Park City Magnet and John Winthrop students are eligible for free or reduced lunch programs. Also, the schools’ students are primarily African-American and Hispanic.

The Dominion Resources’ K-12 Education Partnership program has awarded grants of up to $10,000 each to 77 schools in nine states and the District of Columbia to fund projects related to energy and the environment.

Of the Dominion grants awarded in Connecticut, only The Maritime Aquarium received the maximum grant amount.

“The Maritime Aquarium is a wonderful educational resource that provides our children with a deeper understanding of the importance of our natural environment,” state Sen. Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) said in a press release.

“I want to thank Dominion and the Dominion Foundation for this investment in the education and advancement of Norwalk-area students.”

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