SELINSGROVE -- EconomicsPennsylvania has been awarded a $35,000 grant from the Foundation for Teaching Economics and HSBC--North America to sponsor a four-day institute on "The Environment and the Economy."

State Rep. Russell H. Fairchild, R-85 of Lewisburg, endorsed the program, and his support is credited with helping the agency obtain the grant.

The purpose of the institute is to assist middle and high school teachers to better understand environmental economics issues so that they may better relate those issues to students in the classroom. The symposium will use economic principles to analyze current environmental issues through classroom instruction, simulations and field trips to environmentally challenging sites.

Teachers participating in the program are eligible for Act 48 continuing education credits as well as two graduate credits in economics awarded through Florida Gulf Coast University, a state university of Florida.

Donald G. Fell, Foundation for Teaching Economics professor and institute director, and Bradley Hobbs, professor of economics, Florida Coast University, will serve as instructors and are coordinating program components with Fritz M. Heinemann, EconomicsPennsylvania president and chief executive officer, as well as other EconomicsPennsylvania staff members and volunteers.

Fell said: "We are absolutely delighted to be coming to Pennsylvania and in particular working with the staff and volunteer cadre of EconomicsPennsylvania, which is recognized as one of the most successful economic education and financial literacy not-for-profit organizations in the country. Their accomplishments are widely respected, and we believe our investment in funding The Environment and the Economy' institute for Central Susquehanna Valley teachers is prudent and certainly appropriate. The encouragement of Rep. Fairchild was an important factor in our decision to visit Pennsylvania, and we're very pleased to have his active involvement and support as part of the overall project."

Marel Raub, Pennsylvania director of the Chesapeake Bay Commission and a member of the EconomicsPennsylvania Susquehanna Region board, will serve as co-chair of the institute with Fairchild, who also is a Susquehanna Region board member.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for our community and especially those teachers who are doing a valuable job in helping young people understand critical issues regarding environmental challenges and the economic principles that must be a part of our decision-making," Raub said.

The Foundation for Teaching Economics will cover lodging, registration, materials, field trips and most meals. Teachers should register through EconomicsPennsylvania at 123 N. Market St., Selinsgrove, or online at www.economicspa.org.