Science Research program at Joplin High School recieves $5,000 American Water grant

May 4—The Science Research program at Joplin High School has been awarded a 2024 Water and Environment Grant from the American Water Charitable Foundation.

Joplin High School science research teacher Karisa Boyer said the $5,000 grant will be used to fund future research projects. Science research students are given a maximum budget to use for project supplies, and these grant funds will directly support those costs.

"Science Research does not have a working budget of its own," Boyer said in a statement. "All of our research projects have mostly been funded by community support and research grants. One of the larger grants we received just after the tornado, the Whitmire Foundation grant, is coming to an end and I was really worried about how to keep this program going after the next couple of years. Grants like this help me know there is a future for the research program."

The American Water Charitable Foundation is a non-profit organization that aims to support high-impact projects and initiatives related to environmental and social betterment.

"We're very thankful for this grant award," Joplin High School principal Randy Oliver said in a statement. "This means a lot to the students who will be working so hard to learn science research strategies that could one day help improve our community, our health and our environment. It's great to have the support of community partners to continue this investment in our kids."

American Water is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility in the United States, providing drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. It is the parent company of Missouri American, which provides water to Joplin and water and wastewater services to approximately 1.6 million people in the state.