STEM in History
Amount Requested: $1,000.00 Number of Students Reached: 250+
The TGIF Selection Committee appreciated this teacher’s description of her unique project.
Type a brief description of your project.
For my project, I plan to explore how technology and engineering innovations have influenced the development of ancient civilizations. I will focus on key inventions like aqueducts, the wheel, pyramids, the compass, and the mummification process, and how these technologies helped societies grow and expand. Through this project, I hope for my students to learn how STEM advancements shaped the economy, culture, and daily life of early civilizations and how similar advancements continue to impact modern society today.
Why is this project needed for your school?
This project is necessary for our school because it connects STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) with social studies to help students understand how science, technology, and math have impacted societies across time. Examining past innovations might help students appreciate the importance of STEM in solving modern problems. It also develops analytical and problem-solving skills, which are essential for success in the classroom and in daily life. By teaching students about the relationship between technology and societal advancement, this multidisciplinary approach gets them ready for the problems of the future. I would like be able to buy the materials I would need to reproduce historical inventions if I were to get this grant.
What is the projected long-term effect of this project?
The long-term effect of this project on students, the school, and the district is to foster a deeper understanding of how social studies and STEM intersect. Through this project, students will develop critical thinking, problemsolving, and collaborative skills essential for their future academic and career success. It has the potential to inspire students to pursue STEM fields while helping them recognize the relevance of historical lessons in addressing modern challenges. For the school and district, this project enhances the curriculum by encouraging a culture of innovation and lifelong learning.
Timeline of project implementation/completioN:
Upon receiving the grant, the necessary items will be purchased promptly and utilized as soon as they arrive. Some materials will be used during the current school year, while others are designed for long-term use, benefiting the school until they naturally wear out over time. Each year we host an Egyptian museum for parents to come walk through and these items would also be displayed at the museum.
Project Budget:
The following supplies have been found at Amazon.com: C batteries- Amazon Basics 24-Pack C Cell Alkaline All-Purpose Batteries, ($12.59)X 5 packs=$62.95; Paint- Handy Art Little Masters Tempera Paints Set, 16 oz, 1 Pound (Pack of 6) ($23.49); Clay- Crayola Air Dry Clay for Kids - White, Modeling Clay for Kids 25lb ($30.68)X4=122.72; Craft Glue-Aleene's Original, 1 Gallon Tacky Glue, 128oz, Clear, 128 Fl Oz ($27.19)x2=$54.38; Apple Peeler- 6-PackVegetable Peelers set Stainless Steel Blade, ($3.99)X10 packs=$39.90; Twine-Jute Twine 805FT, Jute Rope for Crafts Gardening Plant Accessories Gift Wrapping, Arts & Crafts Art Packing Material Christmas Twine Bulk Wedding Decor Halloween Decorations (Brown 2MM * 805FEET) ($2.99) x 5=$14.95; Popsicle stick-Perfect Stix - PS-114st-1,000 4.5" Craft Sticks/ Ice Cream Sticks/ Natural Wood - Box of 1,000ct ($13.99)x3=$41.97; Duct tape-Duct Tape 6 Rolls, ($15.98)X4=$63.92; Cardboard scissors($29.99)x2=$59.98; Masking Tape- 9 Rolls Masking Tape ($6.99)x4=$27.96; Rubberbands-Amazon Basics Assorted 0.5 lb. ($7.81)X2=$15.62; Plastic Wrap-Plastic Food Wrap ($33.20)x2=$66.40; Packing Tape- Packing Tape 36 Rolls ($48.99); Salt-Morton table salt, 25 pound bag($29.99); Hot Glue Gun Sticks- All Purpose Stick Glue Sticks-All Temperature-Clear 7/16" D, 10" L Glue Stick-20 Sticks per Bag ($6.26)x5=$31.30; SUNEE Sticky Easel Pads, 25 x 30 Inches Chart Paper (3 Pack) 3 Pads ($40.99)x2=$81.98; Tumble Buggy ($7.50)X30=$225.00; Amazon Basics Sandwich Storage Bags, 300 Count, Pack of 1 ($8.90)X4=$35.60.
Core Word Bins
Amount Requested: $1,000.00 Number of Students Reached: 16+
Randi's application was very well-written, detailed, and showed the impact it would have on their students.
People who cannot communicate using typical spoken language need support through augmentative and alternative modes of communication (AAC). Learning to use AAC effectively is like learning to use a new language. To model the effective use of language using AAC, the use of core communication words is often targeted. Core communication words are words we use 80% of the time. These are words that can be used in a variety of contexts, such as "go", "help", and "turn". For example, the word "turn" can be used to say many things such as "turn it on", "turn (around)", "turn (toy)", and "my turn". We teach these words for our most complex communicators to begin to interact in their school environments. I often teach these words during speech therapy sessions, but would like to create core word bins that can be kept in the student's classroom to continue practicing and modeling the target language for the week. With this grant, I would purchase small bins as well as toys, books, and resources to place in the bins to encourage and model the use of target core words. For example, with the word "turn", there could be book about vehicles that could be used to model "look at the wheels turn" and "turn" the page, as well as some toy vehicles or a top that can be turned to model and encourage the word "turn", and some resources with links to videos and songs to continue modeling and encouraging the use of "turn". I focus on at least 1 to 3 words a week in 3 mixed abilities classrooms and 2 early childhood classrooms. These bins would allow for the words to be consistently modeled in fun but structured ways to build on students' communication skills faster than when just provided during speech therapy sessions.
We have 4 mixed ability classrooms and 2 early childhood classrooms with a variety of students of varying communication needs. Several students use iPad-based communication systems while others use low-tech communication books and/or sign language. Currently we have at least 16 students using or being introduced to some form of AAC. Throughout the school year and every year, we have new students in our classrooms who often have some sort of communication need.
The long-term effect of this project for our students is increased communication modeling and use and faster, more effective implementation of communication strategies. Students with complex communication needs would be able to better meet their personal needs as well as show academic understanding. Their ability to interact and socialize with peers would also improve. The objective would be for staff working with students with complex communication needs to use the core word bins at different times throughout the school day to provide modeling and encouragement of core word use more consistently. The increased practice of core words could be measured through a tally system demonstrating how often the words are being modeled and encouraged.
Timeline of project implementation/completion:
If I am awarded this grant, I would need probably at least a month or two to gather materials (bins, books, toys, materials/resources) and put the bins together. Then I would need time to train the staff on use.
Project BudgeT:
~$300 for storage bins (6 qt. with lids 4 pack on Amazon X 12 = 48 bins total); ~$288-$480 for books for each target core word (children's books range from $6 to $10 on Amazon X 48 (1 book per bin); ~$200 for small toys to put in each bin for the target core word; ~$10 for velcro for putting together materials; ~$10 for lamination sheets for making reusable and durable materials.
Hands-On Learning for Post secondary Employment
Amount Requested: $1,000.00 Number of Students Reached: 10
Teresa's grant application was effectively written and demonstrated the significance and impact of the proposed project.
This project is essential for our school because it provides students, especially those in life skills programs, with the opportunity to apply classroom lessons to real-world scenarios. Many of our students need practical, handson experiences to develop critical life and job skills, which are not easily taught through traditional methods. By managing Wildcat Corner, students can practice tasks such as handling money, managing inventory, and interacting with customers—skills that are essential for their future independence and employability.
The long-term effect of Wildcat Corner on our school and community will be transformative, both for the students and the larger environment. By providing life skills students with practical job training, the project prepares them for greater independence and employment opportunities after graduation. This, in turn, strengthens the school’s ability to support students with diverse needs, enhancing the overall educational experience and promoting inclusivity. Furthermore, the structured environment of Wildcat Corner helps students build confidence and a sense of responsibility, fostering personal growth and preparing them for life beyond school. The addition of a cash register and supplies will make the store operation more realistic, giving students access to tools they are likely to encounter in future jobs. This project will not only benefit students by preparing them for the workforce but also contribute to creating a more inclusive, skill-building environment at our school.
Ongoing throughout the school year. Program Evaluation: The success of this initiative will be measured by: 1. Student Engagement: Monitoring the level of student participation and enthusiasm in store activities. 2. Skill Development: Evaluating the improvement in students' job-related skills through practical assessments and feedback. 3. Operational Efficiency: Ensuring the store runs smoothly and efficiently, with accurate inventory management and transaction processing.
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