NORTHFIELD — More environmental education opportunities will be coming to Pioneer Valley Regional School in the fall, as the school received $75,000 to boost its environmental science Innovation Career Pathway program.

The money — part of a total $1 million that was distributed to 29 school districts across the state — will help Pioneer fund a variety of opportunities for students interested in environmental science.

Principal Annie Scanlan-Emigh said the school will receive $75,000 this year and will then continue to get $50,000 for the next several years to fund the program, a part-time pathways coordinator position, field trips for environmental science classes and an outdoor classroom.

“It really does make a big difference for the school and allows us to build out the program,” Scanlan-Emigh said. “We’re excited about it and I think it’s going to be really good for students, as it opens up a lot of doors.”

The Innovation Career Pathways program allows students to participate in work-based, applied learning experiences in high-demand industries, such as advanced manufacturing, information technology, health care, business, and environmental and life sciences. Through the program, schools also partner with local businesses to provide hands-on internships within the community, which in turn provide students with the most authentic look possible at their chosen industry.

On top of the advanced field ecology class that is already being offered, Scanlan-Emigh said Pioneer is looking to offer, pending School Committee approval, a green architecture class, a course on sustainable forestry and one on wilderness engineering. The school also has an ecology class for freshmen that will benefit from the funds.

A key aspect of the program is creating professional opportunities for students, which Scanlan-Emigh said could take the form of internships with local companies or a capstone project. Funding will also support students who are taking dual-enrollment courses at Greenfield Community College, as well as a professional certification for wilderness first aid, which will happen entirely on campus.

“One of the things the pathway does is it is meant to open rigorous opportunities for all types of students,” she explained. While some students may choose Advanced Placement (AP) courses to challenge themselves, Scanlan-Emigh added that these different opportunities can entice a broader range of kids.

The only other grant recipient in the region was the Athol-Royalston Regional School District, which received a $50,000 implementation grant and a $15,000 planning grant following a visit from Gov. Maura Healey at the end of February. Athol-Royalston will use the funding for information technology classes.

Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com.