Thank you to all who participated in our 2019 Grant Showcase! Here are some highlights from the night.
STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math)
My Toothbrush is Alive
Brandon Elementary - Grades 3-5
Students use scientific investigation and reasoning skills to learn about force and motion by turning an electric toothbrush into a robot.
Virtual Human Anatomy
Lufkin High School Anatomy students
Students use 3D Virtual Reality software to see inside the body and learn how body systems work as they prepare for careers in the medical field.
Classroom STEM Lab
Burley Primary - Dual Language Kindergarten
It’s never too early to develop a love of science in children. This grant creates a STEM lab using robots, coding, and construction labs for engineering building kits. These little one learn to work together to solve problems using the science investigative process.
Let’s Get Growing…
Burley Primary - 1st grade
Science comes alive as students learn to grow plants in their classroom using an advanced technology called Hydroponics – growing plants in water and air rather than soil. This allows students to continually monitor and learn about how plants grow.
LAUNCH! Learning About the Universe & New Cosmic Horizons
LISD Science - Grades K-12
This Mars simulation activity features the Buzz Aldrin Share Space Foundation Giant Mars Map Program. With the guidance from a real astronaut, students work together to answer the questions of how we can one day live on the Red Planet.
Ozobot Evo in the Math Classroom
Brandon Elementary - 5th Grade
Through coding, students learn how math, science and coding are used together to engineer robots. This truly answers the questions about why we have to learn math.
Learning “Journeys” Around the World and Back
Lufkin Middle School - 6th grade
Most of us will never travel the world and experience how other cultures live. This grant utilizes the cutting-edge technology of Google Virtual Reality Googles by going on Google Expeditions which enable students to see people in other countries as they live and work. These googles can also be used to explore space, as well as follow people at work in order to decide on a career for the future.
First Grade Garden
Herty Primary - 1st grade
These 1st graders learn how to work together to grow their own healthy food. Students not only learn the processes of how food grows, but the importance of healthy eating and trying new foods.
Innovators in Motion
Dunbar Primary - Grades K-2
These future engineers learn how to use a variety of technology in fun and creative ways to learn the engineering process, preparing them for the jobs of the future.
Printing into the Future
Lufkin Middle School - 8th grade science
Science and engineering becomes real when you can create and make something. Students design, program and print objects with materials necessary for a 3D printer.
The Three C’s: Creativity, Computers and Coding
Lufkin Middle School - 8th grade science
All of us use and depend on computer technology. By using Microbits, students begin to learn the basics of computer science and coding.
Let’s Go First ‘Into Orbit’!
Lufkin Middle School - Grades 6-8
Multi-grade level teams will compete in a national LEGO First Tech Challenge using engineering principles to build and code a LEGO robot to go into Orbit.
Animation Creation
Dunbar Primary - 2nd Grade
A combination of Osmo technology and Hue Animation Station allows students to use Play Doh, Legos and other props to create animation while retelling a story they have read, a science concept they have learned and the biographical history of an important person. It’s a new way to play!
SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS
Birds of a Feather Learn Together
Anderson Elementary - Grades 3-5 Special Education
Students become experts about birds as they not only learn about birds, but also about the appreciation of nature, patience, mental alertness and a sense of community.
SOCIAL SKILLS
Let’s Play! Teaching Social Skills with Board Games
Anderson Elementary - Grades 3-5
Each morning students have the opportunity to “unplug” from technology and have fun playing board games while practicing social and emotional skills through the art of winning and losing, face-to-face with friends!
LITERACY
Fairy Kinder Gardens
Dunbar Primary - Kindergarten
This garden is about growing readers and writers by creating a peaceful place outside to use their imaginations to read and write fairy tales.
For the Love of Reading
Dunbar Primary - Grades K-2
This grant seeks to instill a life-long love of reading by creating a beautiful, comfortable setting where students can sit outside to read and discuss books.
Books of Diversity Book Club
Lufkin Middle School - Grades 6-8
Adolescents don’t always like to read, but this book club utilizes books that relate to real-life events and value the diversity of our student population to make reading more meaningful. This club also includes community and family members to participate and culminates with a book drive for students at the end of the year.
Dual Tech Lingo Plus
Slack Elementary - 3rd Grade Dual Language
Learning a new language can be challenging. These students learn English or Spanish using Osmo technology to increase skills in core areas of study, as well as creativity and problem solving while having fun!
NEW LEARNING SPACES
Trading Spaces
Brookhollow Elementary - Grades 3-5
This grant transforms the school library into a media space to grow readers and thinkers. Students will access more than books to become “information literacy specialists” when the library changes how its space is used for learning.
XTREME Outdoor Classroom
Slack Elementary - Grades 3-5
An unused outdoor area is transformed into a learning space where students can read, garden and raise chickens. Whatever you can learn indoors, you can learn outdoors even better!
PHYSICAL WELL BEING
Climbing Traverse Walls for Cross-Curriculum Learning
Anderson Elementary - Grades 3-5
Growing up can be scary. Students learn to be risk-takers and problem solver on the climbing wall in Physical Education. Climbing requires mental focus and concentration as well as communication skills from your friends on the ground. A great way to ingrain confidence while overcoming fear.
Just Breathe: Classroom Yoga Helps Us Learn!
Trout Primary - Grades K-2
Young children have a hard time managing their emotions. Learning to practice breathing and self-awareness has shown to help reduce stress and increase the ability to focus. Learning Yoga at an early age can help keep these emotions under control in a positive way.
THE ARTS
All-Around Global Art
Lufkin Middle School - Grades 6
This grant uses the creation of authentic art of the countries students are studying. Art is a wonderful way to engage the brain as students learn about other countries and cultures. Students create Hieroglyphics from Mexico and Central America, Molas from Central America, Matryoshka dolls from Russia, Batiks from Asia, Kente cloth from Africa and Aboriginal dot paintings from Austraila.
Lights! Camera! Action!
Brandon Elementary - 5th Grade
A news team will be born at Brandon. Students will utilize problem-solving skills to plan and broadcast a weekly newscast for the campus. This student-led project will incorporate student voice and choice, as well as broadcasting technology skills.