A Canyon Springs Elementary School teacher has received a $10,000 grant award and the school has started ordering materials for a greenhouse and solar farm on campus as part of a project the teacher designed called Nature’s Energy at Work.

Special education teacher Wendy Shaner was presented with a check during an awards ceremony held recently at the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach. BP America, through its A+ For Energy program awarded $1 million in grants and scholarships to Southern California teachers for creative activities involving energy education and conservation.

“Now that we have the funds from the grant, we are moving forward with the purchase of the greenhouse and solar farm materials,” said Canyon Springs Principal Lynn David. “The greenhouse and solar farm will be a great complement to the school’s science lab.”

The project will give students the opportunity to learn about solar, thermal and biomass energy through the creation and maintenance of a solar greenhouse, outdoor solar garden, solar water farm and biomass compost station. Beginning next year, a farmer’s market will be hosted at the Canyon Country school to involve the community in the project.

“All of the projects that will be completed in the greenhouse and solar farm support grade level standards in ways that will increase students’ understanding and enthusiasm for science and environmental awareness,” David said.

The awards ceremony was hosted by ABC Channel 7’s Danny Romero, and Huell Howser, of PBS, was the keynote speaker. Several California legislators and area city mayors were in attendance to honor the teachers who were receiving awards. The ceremony wrapped up a three-day Energy Educator Training Conference, which Shaner also attended.