Bryant Weakley- Meridian Academy High School
Mr. Weakley was in shock when he heard he had been chosen as a 2021 grant winner. Receiving this grant meant that he could move forward on repairs to enhance the school's greenhouse and get the Aquaponics program up and running.

When asked how this grant has impacted his school, he shared " It has given my students more elective opportunities that we did not have before and the effects of the program have a breath of fresh air. The grant provides hands on experience working in horticulture, hydroponics, aquaculture and thus aquaponics. Many students have been excited to be working in the greenhouse and are asking lots of awesome questions. It has been therapeutic for many in these crazy times. Our Principal is excited to see where this opportunity can grow to." 

Kim Wilpur- Eagle Middle School
Imagine walking into your middle school math class and having a choice in the type of seating you get to use. This is exactly what Eagle Middle School students get to experience thanks to a grant received by Kim Wilpur in 2020.

The wobble chairs and ergonomically design chairs she has in her classroom provide the students with a variety of seating options that allows the student to choose their seat based on preference and individual movement needs. The chairs have also shown to help students focus better in class.

Kristi Buxton- Prospect Elementary School
 Ms. Buxton is making math fun for her students with her hands-on math centers! She believes that Kindergarten needs to be active and hands-on. She was able to make that possible through a grant she received from The Education Foundation in 2020 in which she purchased math activities and materials for her math centers that challenges her students in a fun way.

 Jennifer Stoor - Ponderosa Elementary School
 "I think I may have cried when I heard I got the grant," Jennifer Stoor shared. The impact of having updated digital connectivity and technology in the Multipurpose room at Ponderosa alleviated stress for the teachers and was especially helpful during COVID.

Cheri Robinson - Sawtooth Middle School
 Using grant funding from The Education Foundation helped commence an inclusive music program during the advisory time. The students have loved the opportunity to play with other students in the music department they wouldn't normally get the chance to interact with.

Becky Coulter - Eagle Middle School
Sanitizing and social distancing have become the top priority for Ms. Coulter when it comes to her health and P.E. classes at Eagle Middle School. This has posed challenges for sharing basic P.E. equipment, such as that of brand new heart rate monitors she had partially funded through a grant she received from the Education Foundation last year.

She is grateful for the support of the Education Foundation and eagerly awaits the day she can give heart rate monitors to all of her students to use while they are in P.E. so they can track the work they are doing.

Sarah Oarbeascoa - Eagle Middle School
Ms. Oarbeascoa was thrilled to learn she would be awarded the funds to purchase a Redcat Access Audio System for her Eagle Middle School Students in 2020. With her school being an older building, there was a need for FM systems such as this one.

Not only is the Redcat system benefitting students with IEP's and 504's, but it also benefits all students in the room by amplifying the teachers voice. Since recieving the system, Teachers have reported a decrease in needing to repeat directions and not need to speak as loudly.

Amy Armstrong - Heritage Middle School
Using the grant money, I was able to create a maker space in the library with many different resources for students to have hands-on learning experiences. In the past year, I have seen students build, invent, and design. I have seen them problem solve and work in teams. I have seen them teach each other how to do complicated projects.  Another exciting development is that I see new students in the library who are excited about learning more about the STEM subjects. I see a passion and curiosity take hold as we have maker night activities. I see students finding an affinity for a possible career path.  What I love the most is, seeing students come alive as they explore the maker space and what it has to offer.

Kim Zeydel - Meridian Academy
The Education Foundation has funded a laptop, TI-Nspire handhelds (calculators) and science probes. We have used these to help the students understand abstract concepts through simulations and hands on activities. Texas Instruments  has a wealth of ready to use activities aligned to the Common Core State Standards that are available free of charge that we frequently use. The TI-Nspire Navigator system which was installed on the laptop allows the teacher to do quick formative assessments to check for understanding. It also enables the teacher to monitor what each student is doing as the computer will screen capture what is on the students' handhelds. Thus, the teacher can see who needs help, who is finished, or who is off task.

 Cindy Dorian - Spalding STEM
Our project was designed to introduce students to robotics. Students were to define and explain what a robot is and is able to do, understand the mechanical workings of robots and relate their knowledge of simple machines, and create robot vehicles and arms.

The project’s second focus was gain experience with the engineering process. Using the FOSS Science Kit Ideas and Inventions. Students were to use techniques of observation they learned with the kit materials to solve a real world problem.  The robotics equipment was an exciting addition to our program. I was unable to use the materials with third grade due to the level of difficulty reading and understanding directions and difficulty working with the manipulatives. I did use the program with 4th (125) and 5th (110) grade students. This first year I did introductory lesson and building. Next year, 5th grade students will be ready to the programing features of the robotics equipment.  Having additional materials really allowed my 5th grade girls to shine. Before instead of working in partner groups, the students had to work in groups of 4 or 5. Consequently, each student got less hands-on time and the boys in the group tended to take over the projects. We these additional materials, the girls were able to do all the work themselves and they were extremely excited about it.

Brian Fischer - Eagle Hills Elementary
Our project was designed to introduce students to robotics. Students were to define and explain what a robot is and is able to do, understand the mechanical workings of robots and relate their knowledge of simple machines, and create robot vehicles and arms. The project’s second focus was gain experience with the engineering process. Using the FOSS Science Kit Ideas and Inventions. Students were to use techniques of observation they learned with the kit materials to solve a real world problem. The robotics equipment was an exciting addition to our program. I was unable to use the materials with third grade due to the level of difficulty reading and understanding directions and difficulty working with the manipulatives. I did use the program with 4th (125) and 5th (110) grade students. This first year I did introductory lesson and building. Next year, 5th grade students will be ready to the programming features of the robotics equipment.  Having additional materials really allowed my 5th grade girls to shine. Before instead of working in partner groups, the students had to work in groups of 4 or 5. Consequently, each student got less hands-on time and the boys in the group tended to take over the projects. We these additional materials, the girls were able to do all the work themselves and they were extremely excited about it. 

Brett Jons - Pioneer School of the Arts
My class had 93% growth with an average of 18 points of growth per student. The significant difference is, in my opinion, is the extensive use of this technology in the classroom. Technology that was made possible partly through grants.

This is Ruby Karling, a West Ada student who story truly shows West Ada ready! Kids like her are the drive of this Foundation!