MATTAPOISETT — The Mattapoisett Land Trust Education Committee awarded more than $8,000 in grants to nine educator initiatives to the Old Rochester Regional School District and Superintendency Union #55 for the second year in a row.

The grants, which are funded by the Mattapoisett Land Trust and Mattapoisett Cultural Council, support school science and environmental curriculum in Mattapoisett schools and provide opportunities for hands-on educational experiences and eco-friendly beautification projects.

With $520 awarded by the Committee, first graders at Center School made and installed birdfeeders. The grant helped the students learn about local birds, seasonal changes and bird behaviors, with students making observations, graphing bird visits and taking part in related writing and art activities.

Students at Old Rochester Regional High School took care of the EmpowORR Garden created by Transition Program students where they explored various aspects of science, math and environmental studies, as well as learn teamwork, responsibility and patience.

Six graders at Old Hammondtown School took a field trip to Cuttyhunk STEAM Academy where they learned about the island, its history and inhabitants and explored its wetlands and beach areas. The students also learned about oyster farming and shipwreck diving and created their own paintings of Cuttyhunk Harbor.

Funds also went toward a beautification project at the high school, purchasing new nonfiction science-based library books for the Center and Old Hammondtown schools, a sunflower project, a field trip to the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, a field trip to the Heritage Museum and Gardens and an annual fifth grade project at Old Hammondtown School where students planted daffodils behind the school.

 "These hands-on learning experiences will stick with [students] for the rest of their lives, teaching them lessons about science and environmental stewardship," said Superintendent Michael Nelson.