Sam Case School Awarded NOAA Grant

Sam Case Elementary School has been awarded a $4,000 NOAA Ocean Guardian School grant to launch the first year of a three-year effort focused on protecting local watersheds, beaches and the ocean while reducing marine debris.

Throughout the 2026-27 school year, students will connect classroom learning with environmental issues affecting their coastal community. “We are incredibly excited to partner with many organizations, experts and community members, both local and national, who are joining us in this work,” Sam Case Principal Marcy Doyle said.

“These collaborations will help us create meaningful, hands-on learning experiences for our students while empowering them to see themselves as capable stewards of our watersheds, beaches and ocean.”

Fifth-grade teacher Adam Galen will serve as Sam Case’s Ocean Guardian lead teacher, coordinating partnerships and helping plan learning experiences throughout the year.

“Our hope is for students to understand how plastics affect ocean life and to begin finding ways to reduce plastic waste,” Galen said.

“We want to give them meaningful, hands-on experiences that inspire them to recognize the

impact they can have and take action to protect our coastal environment.” The project will reach students schoolwide through Sam Case’s new Cub 55 time.

Activities will include physical education games related to plastics, picture books selected to inspire change, and guest speakers and learning experiences offered in partnership with the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians and local community members.

Every student will receive a copy of Ellie’s Strand by M.L. Herring and participate in beach-related experiments and investigations with the school’s media specialist. Students will also explore marine debris through art, music, public service announcements and posters, incorporating Indigenous perspectives and traditions related to the connection between people, land and ocean.

Learning will extend beyond the school grounds through two to three beach cleanups with Oregon Shores. Students will help clean a mile of beach while measuring and tracking the debris they collect. The data will help them assess the impact of their work and share what they learn with the school and broader community. After successfully completing the year’s requirements, Sam Case will be eligible for official recognition by NOAA as an Ocean Guardian School.