Jennifer Rubbo, Director of the Environmental Cooperative, received a NYS OCFS (Office of Children and Family Services) Youth Development Program Grant that will fund summer job opportunities for local youth to work alongside Vassar students and staff to implement the Exploring Science Program at the Vassar Preserve. Exploring Science has been in operation since 1983, serving more than 50,000 children in local school districts throughout Dutchess County. Generally, the program serves 2nd and 3rd-grade classrooms.

The program provides Vassar students with an opportunity to interact with school-aged children and teach them about science. It also provides a venue for local teachers to enrich their science curriculum. Teachers and organizations focused on youth can expand their own programming by collaborating with this free, outdoor, nature-based program.

During the summer, Exploring Science partners with local summer camps to bring youth to the Preserve for a summer field trip. This grant seeks to increase engagement of older Poughkeespie youth, by offering them a paying position to help teach the program. Through trainings and hands-on teaching, youth will gain experience in working outdoors and teaching younger children alongside Vassar students and staff.