Current Awards 2008 / 2009

TEACHER DEVELOPMENT AND CREATIVITY GRANT

Hurlbutt Elementary School

“Straw Rockets”
Applicant: Linda Froschauer, Math and Science Curriculum Leader
Beneficiary: Hurlbutt Elementary and Weston Intermediate Schools
Grant: $6305
Purchase of: Materials to create straw rockets
Project: Ms. Forschauer demonstrated the concepts of physics through the use of straw rockets constructed by students.

Weston Middle School

“Computer Software for History”
Applicant: Barbara George / Ed Demchuk
Beneficiary: Weston Middle School
Grant: $1500
Purchase of: Computer software
Project: Through computer simulations, students apply the lessons of history. This program is designed to enhance critical thinking skills and to facilitate informed decisions on the important global issues impacting our world.

“Lego Mindstorm Rockets”
Applicant: Lorraine Westervelt, Technology Education Teacher
Beneficiary: Weston Middle School
Grant: $2300
Purchase of: Lego Mindstorm Robots
Project: Weston Middle School students built remote-controlled Lego Mindstorm robots then programmed them. This program cross-pollinates science concepts and technology applications.

EXPERT-IN-RESIDENCE GRANT

These grants enable a recognized, outside expert in a specific curriculum area to be hired as a consultant to the schools to provide a comprehensive program on curriculum development and teacher education.

“Greg Tang, Mathematician”
Applicant: Linda Froschauer
Beneficiary: Hurlbutt Elementary and Weston Intermediate Schools
Grant: $6200
Purchase of: All-day workshop
Project: Greg Tang, renowned author and math educator, led assemblies designed to demystify math concepts for both Hurlbutt Elementary School and Weston Intermediate School students.

“David Biedrzycki, Author”
Applicant: Storm Smith
Beneficiary: Weston Intermediate School
Grant: $5000
Purchase of: Writing seminar
Project: Renowned children’s author, David Biedrzycki, led a week-long writing seminar designed to strengthen the writing skills of third through fifth grade students.

ENRICHMENT AND TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVES

WEF has sponsored many grants in addition to Teacher Development and Creativity or Exert-in-residence Grants. The unique nature of these projects are distinctive enough to fall under a new grant category: Enrichment and Technology Initiatives. Some requests are for collaboration with institutions of higher learning, others are for tangible items. Whatever the case may be, WEF has found these proposals worthy of funding and encourages their system-wide development.

"Visual Presenters"
Applicant: Kevin Santiana
Beneficiary: Hurlbutt Elementary School
Grant: $2100
Purchase of: 3 visual presenters
Project: This technology enables teachers and students to project three-dimensional objects onto Smart Boards.

"Science Lab Equipment"
Applicant: Melanie Welsh
Beneficiary: Weston Middle School
Grant: $11,000
Purchase of: Data Collection and Analysis Equipment
Project: This equipment, specifically designed for middle school students, evaluates water quality, allowing the students to become real scientists.

"Senior Internships"
Applicant: Lisa Wolak, Weston High School Principal
Beneficiary: Weston High School
Grant: $5000
Project: These funds were used to introduce a pilot internship program for ten Weston High School seniors.

"Xplorer Devices "
Applicant: John Kingston, Weston High School Physics Teacher
Beneficiary: Weston High School
Grant:
Purchase of: Xplorer Hand Held Devices and Electronic Sensors
Project: This equipment demonstrates physics principles.

COMMUNITY EDUCATION GRANTS

"Computer Classes"
Applicant: Weston Senior Activities Center
Target population: Weston Seniors
Grant: $1500.00
Development of: Computer classes

“Years in the Making: A Journey into Late Life Creativity”
Applicant: Martin West
Target population: Community
Grant: $1500.00
Development of: Documentary film project focusing on late-life creativity in the visual arts beyond the age of 70.  The full box set of 49 DVDs will be presented with a comprehensive study guide to each of the four Weston Schools upon completion in 2009.

THE DAVID TRIGUAX INNOVATION AWARD

The Weston Education Foundation established this $2000 award to be given to a Weston teacher who has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Foundation an unusual level of originality and dedication to creative teaching—a teacher who has truly made a difference in our school community.

Sydney Girardi
Weston High School
Fine Arts Teacher