Building a foundation for education...
2011 Grant Recipients:
- Connie Bamburg -- Fronteras Spanish Immersion Charter School -- reading "phonics phones"
- Carrie Day -- Wasilla Middle School -- after-school program materials
- Diony Tribble -- Burchell High School -- robotics materials
- Misty Holler -- Academy Charter School -- community portrait/biography materials
- Michelle Booth -- Academy Charter School -- "Where in the World" geography materials
- Jared Schumacher -- Academy Charter School -- avalanche awareness science unit equipment
- Debbie Melton -- Machetanz Elementary -- emergent readers library books
2011 $1,000 Gorilla Fireworks Grant: - Claudia Berkley/Glacier View, Grades 6-12, Classroom sets of Fahrenheit 451 and The Hound of the Baskervilles with posters
- Paula Davies, Meadow Lakes Grades 1-5, Materials to make Native drums and Kuspuks for music performance
- Karen James, RN, Colony High Grades 9-12, “Fatal Vision” kit – alcohol and driving
- Barb Smith, Meadow Lakes Grade 5, Using photography as a motivational tool to understand the elements of Art
- Elizabeth Chinama, Snowshoe Elementary, Seward Sea Life Center and Resurrection Bay boat field trip
- Joe Page, Talkeetna Grades 6, “Project Ocean” – Sea Life Center and Center for AK Coastal Studies
- Carol Taylor, RN, Teeland Middle, Science Olympiad
Kris Wagoner, Houston High School -- Business Professionals of America Club
2010 Grant Recipients:
2010 $1000 Gorilla Fireworks Grant:
Janelle Maki, Houston High School -- Graphic Novels for the Library2009 Grant Recipients:
- Cherie Koss, Goose Bay Elementary, Purchase of Russian books
- Jenny Hoeger, Machetanz, Speech Evaluation Materials
- Jamie Kitzman, Machetanz, School Store Start Up
- Frances Graves, Tanaina Elementary, Video Equipment
- Brandy Bishop, Houston Middle School, Shakespeare Preformance
- Leland Fishback, Houston Middle, Weather Recording System
- Roy Stone, Houston Middle Video Camera for Art Department
- Sean Williams, Sherrod, Lego Robotics
2010 Greenhouse Production Class
The first step: Glacier View High School students did a market analysis for what plants are in demand for the surrounding community. The data was then analyzed, a budget developed and a plan was made for producing plant starts.The second step: the class designed and built a greenhouse using Mat-Su Schools Foundation grant funds. The greenhouse will also be utilized for science classes for students in elementary, middle and high school levels.
See greenhouse building slideshow
In the end, the students wrote a summary of their experiences. Many thought learning how to use the budge was the most meaningful part of the class. Others felt the experience of coming to a consensus was important. Lastly, the actual process of building something was new to many student. Some learned how to swing a hammer for the first time.
2009 Project Ocean - Talkeetna Elementary School
Overlooking Kachemak Bay
On behalf of the Talkeetna Elementary School 6th grade, I want to thank
you for your generous support of our 2009 Project Ocean field studies.
Thanks to your financial assistance, our students were able to experience
five wonderful days in Kachemak Bay. Thank you so much. Project Ocean ReportJoe Page, Teacher
Talkeetna Elementary School2009 Native Alaska Drums and Kuspuks - Meadow Lakes Elementary School
Meadow Lakes Elementary School purchased material to make Eskimo drums and kuspuks to perform a musical history of Alaska to celebrate our 50th Anniversary of statehood. Performing native Alaskan songs using drums and kuspucks was a highlight for the students.
Each student at Meadow Lakes used the drums during class and we continue to use them as we learn more about the native musical culture. We were invited to sing at the Champions for Children banquet at Evangelos on May 8th where the students will get to perform with the drums and kuspucks. We are also working with the District Federal Programs to bring James Afcan out to Meadow Lakes and teach the students more about native drumming. The Miracle Dance group will be coming out to do an assembly for us at the end of the year.
As you can see, with the generous support of people like you, the students have had a hands-on learning experience that will continue to benefit them throughout their education at Meadow Lakes.Thank you again for your support of education in the Mat-Su Valley.
Sincerely,
Paula Davies, Music Teacher
Meadow Lakes Elementary
Fatal Vision Goggles for Colony High School
Thank you for the grant money that allowed me to purchase the Fatal Vision goggles for CHS. I made these available to the staff and parent and student groups. Several teachers used the goggles and accompanying data and lesson plans in their classrooms. There was an article in the school newspaper about the Fatal Vision goggles and their purpose. Featured Article in Knightly News
I have had numerous students come to me with their stories of how this program has impacted them, and other students who are curious as to what this is all about. They wanted to experience the impact of the goggles for themselves. This has created wonderful teaching moments about the effects of alcohol consumption, and some of the dangers involved. Even the students are participating in the teaching - one student presented a project to her class using the goggles and materials.
I think this was a very good use of grant money. Fatal Vision is a program that every high school would benefit from.
Karen James, RN
Colony High SchoolSeward Sealife Trip - Shaw Elementary School
Wow! What an adventure we had on our May 18-19, 2009 Seward
Field Trip! The weather couldn't have been more perfect and the adult-student ratio was ideal—14 adults to 26 students! ... trip detailsLynda Chud and Jana DePriest
4/5 multiage teachers at Shaw Elementary School
