Response sent to Middle School Math teacher for ideas.
Hey !
Glad you found the email helpful. I would encourage you to begin
your grant as soon as possible. Probably the most reliable funder is
Townsend Press - their focus is on Bully Prevention. You could
easily tie this into math by having your students do a survey on Bullying in
schools and create a multimedia presentation to "show" on
the Promethean Board. One problem is I think Townsend may mainly fund
grant that are under $400.
2 other large funders I have gotten my
grants fulfilled through are Progress Energy and UPS.
UPS picked up my grant for a Promethean Board and it is
halfway funded right now. If you focus on an
energy study of some kind they will usually pick up your grant.
An example might be calculating how much energy the average classroom
is using - this may be intense but it would be a great project
based learning experience. With it being algebra you
are teaching you could look variables changing in relationship to
one another - for example, florescent light use vs traditional light
bulbs. They could contact the energy company or research on line
these rates and how much money/energy is saved per classroom/per school/ per
county by switching bulbs. Just some ideas - project based learning
is a passion of mine. Whatever you choose to do, make sure to be
very specific about how each item you ask for will relate to the topic of
energy. Also include energy, electricity etc. somewhere in your title
Below is copy of a grant I posted and
had fulfilled. I also included a link to the one the girl from my school
wrote for the Promethean board. You can take a look at how I
specifically listed what I was going to do with the items. Make sure to include
in these grants, along with the Promethean Board, some science
related materials like solar kit or windmill generator ( something
cheap) this will help get it fulfilled. Also like I said before, in
your demographics include the fact that you
have military students. All these things should aid in getting your
grant fulfilled. Good luck and feel free to call me sometime if you
want to chat about it.
PS ( Feel free to copy any info from mine that you would like
into yours)
MY GRANT
My Students: Waste!
We see it everywhere - even in the classroom! After studying global warming, my
students have become quite concerned with continuity and conservation. As a
result, we have decided to explore ways in which our school could be come more
efficient in its use of energy and other resources.
The school at which I teach is a Title 1 school in a rural area.
In addition, I have a very diverse classroom. The school is located near an AF
Base and so my class is made up of a mixture of local
and military students. Over 25% of my students have been diagnosed
with ADD or ADHD. I also have a population of about 15% which are ESL students,
30% Special Education, as well as the majority of them receiving a free or
reduced lunch.
My students are an energetic and motivated group, but many of
them lack the background knowledge necessary to be as successful as they can
be. Science can often be a very abstract subject with its own set of unique
vocabulary. Often times I find my students struggle to understand many concepts
I am teaching without some hands-on experience As a result, many of the lessons
I teach and materials I use need to be very hands on. Abstract concepts and
reading passages just don't hit the mark. Especially when investigating
science!
My Project:
With the solar energy kits I will be able to
extend to my students more depth in the concepts of electricity and how it is
created, stored, distributed etc. Students will be able to see that there may
be other better or alternative methods of obtaining energy while conserving the
resources we currently have.
With the laptop and spreadsheet software,
students will be able to chart data we gather about school energy usage and use
the data to come up with solutions for better energy use.
This study will allow my students to engage in hands on, problem
and project based learning. This will prepare them with the some of the
technology and social skills necessary for their life in the 21st Century.
This project is important on so many levels but I will try to
express the reasons I think it is most important.
1. It makes my students aware of the need for conserving energy
and other resources in our school, while showing them how to accomplish it.
2. It increases problem solving skills with math and technology.
3. It empowers students to make a difference in their school,
community and world.
4. It increases global awareness and social conscientiousnesshide»
My
students need a solar energy kit, a laptop, and a Microsoft Office
license.
Promethian Board Winner
Grant
click link below to view
