To encourage critical thinking and problem-solving skills and using a kinesthetic learning approach, students will construct anatomically correct systems of the human body in support of acquiring knowledge based on state learning standards for anatomy and physiology. ... more »

Using acquisition measures acquired through the implementation of the MAPPS test (English and Mathematics standards with particular interest given to measures of acquired or refined critical thinking skills), the partners will implement an activity-based program of ... more »

In support of state learning standards for science, the grantees will implement a hands-on learning project using computer-based weather technologies to teach the science and environmental effects of weather.

Formatted in the framework of a “Literacy Academy,” the partners will create an intervention literacy program targeted to students assessed under state criteria for reading and writing and performing below their designated grade level. This program will ... more »

The grantees will implement an interactive, hands-on mathematics program linking real-life learning scenarios based on district learning standards. The project will include students’ writing essays that explain the link between mathematical concepts and ... more »

The partners will use instructional technology in science labs that allow students to conduct virtual experiments using real-life problems and create presentations based on the results of those experiments. The experiments will integrate both math and science ... more »

The Memorial High School Equity Team, comprised of ten teachers from a variety of disciplines, will purchase resources to study how to implement effective communication strategies in order to host a series of evening

for a diverse ... more »

Ms. Voigt will implement a Balinese Painting unit in her Drawing & Painting classes based on first-hand experiences gained during travel to Ubud, Bali.While abroad, Ms. Voigt will have the opportunity to work directly with Balinese natives to learn new painting, ... more »

In order to alleviate the stress of combining the formerly separate Wildwood Middle and High schools, Mrs. Haeser and partners will create cross-curricular, multi-grade level professional development teams.Additionally, books will be purchased for small focused ... more »

Ninth grade biology and English teachers will focus on developing the knowledge and tools to teach, as well as to provide, students with common experiences.The biology teachers will explore common hands-on labs and lessons as well as problem-based learning ... more »

Mrs. Davis will attend the AP Art History Training Conference to gain the tools necessary to deliver and design AP curriculum for the classroom, after which she will conduct in-service trainings at high schools in her district to align curriculum and content ... more »

In order to deepen critical thinking and problem solving skills in at-risk students, Ms. Olsten and Mr. Parsons will introduce global issues through cross-curricular, activity-based learning.  Students will consider issues through biographies, interviews, and ... more »

Ms. Schrier and Mr. Jaffe will create an

to increase student engagement and achievement.  By using interactive, technology-rich lessons, students will be equipped with the 21st century skills necessary for success in higher education and the ... more »

In an effort to encourage students to enter the engineering field and to develop cross-curricular skills between technology, math, and science, Mrs. Anker and Ms. Highman will develop a course in robotics.  Students will be encouraged to develop skills in ... more »

Mrs. Sutyak's biology and Mr. Verlie's physics classes will use current technology to complete inquiry-based investigations.  These projects will prepare the students with 21st century skills in STEM research by focusing on the plastic crisis, which is quickly ... more »

By utilizing a student-response clicker system, algebra students will get immediate feedback and will be able to keep track of their progress on learning objectives.  Daily opening and closing questions will be used to check for student understanding and to ... more »

Students from Mr. Rometti's high school business classes and Ms. Walbrink's fifth grade class will work together to produce a promotional video which will be available to the public and viewable on the web.  Students will develop and analyze surveys, plan ... more »

Students in the

will conduct research on various topics involving real life applications of chemistry.  Based on this research, students will prepare two chemical demonstrations of their choice and perform these demonstrations to middle ... more »

Ms. Purvis will attend Bill Evans's Summer Dance Teachers Intensive to gain high-quality training in dance technique, body/mind practices, and dance pedagogy. The program focuses on nurturing teachers artistically and increasing their pedagogical prowess. Ms. Purvis ... more »

Ms. Davis will attend the Crossroads of Medieval Cultures and Languages seminar, which will allow for academic research and provide inter-disciplinary professional development. The seminar will also aid Ms. Davis in fostering an understanding in her students of ... more »

To develop innovative and effective ways of engaging students with technology, Mr. Anderson and his colleagues will form a study group to investigate the integration of mobile technologies in the classroom. The study group will examine the prevalence of mobile ... more »

Fifteen secondary math teachers will meet in a "Math Summit" throughout the year to share best instructional practices, work on curriculum articulation from grades seven to twelve, discuss research and learning resources, analyze data, and utilize backward design to ... more »

Mr. Hoffer will lead a group of educators in the departments of English, science, and social studies in forming a professional learning community to improve their knowledge regarding differentiated instruction in order to be more effective teachers of heterogeneous ... more »

Mr. Zeichner and Mr. Rector will implement “Global Visionaries,” a collaborative program between Chief Sealth and Cleveland High School, to improve, strengthen, and expand the Global Leadership (GL) class curriculum. The GL class will replace outdated ... more »

Mrs. Voge will implement a rocket science curriculum through the Career and Tech Education department. Students will spend the first semester of the course learning about the basics of rocket flight, utilizing hands-on, project based activities. The second semester ... more »

In a partnership with the Brownsville Area Revitalization Corporation and the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania, Brownsville Area School District will offer a place-based environmental education program. Middle and high school students will travel to local parks ... more »

Students in Mr. Hinton and Mr. Madnikoff’s classes will document and publish area veterans’ stories. Videotaped oral histories will be used in the creation of a book, website, and a documentary film, the latter of which will be shared with a local PBS ... more »

Ms. Golden and Ms. Kmoch will increase student reading achievement levels by forming study circles, with an emphasis placed on critical thinking skills. Students will learn about local alternative energy and clean water initiatives through partnerships with the Metro ... more »

Mr. Bourque and Mrs. Hodges will implement “Let’s Get a Grip on Our Future,” a hands-on project based learning philosophy combining state and local standards from mathematics, science, language arts, history, and technology. Through critical ... more »

Ms. Circle-Potter will participate in “Earth Expeditions,” a global conservation program that focuses on inquiry-driven, community-based learning to promote student achievement and global understanding.  Upon returning to school, Ms. Circle-Potter ... more »

In an effort to maximize students’ academic success, the Intervention and Referral Services Team will identify and implement strategies for those students exhibiting academic, behavioral, and/or health difficulties.  Team members will be provided training ... more »

To address students’ need for civil discourse, Mr. Chamberlain will attend an intense five day conference at Philips Exeter.  Mr. Chamberlain will be trained in an advanced student centered discussion technique called the “Harkness Method" that will ... more »

Through the Minnesota Council on the Teaching of Languages and Cultures, Mr. Boeckers and Mr. Tuura will create the Online World Language (OWL) environment.  OWL will result in extension workshops led by Minnesota World Language teachers from around the state to ... more »

Mr. Hayes will attend the conference “Learning Beyond Boundaries” to gain high quality professional development.  Following the conference, Mr. Hayes will conduct in-services at Community High School covering the topics of instructional effectiveness, ... more »

Eleventh grade English students will research issues relevant to slavery and create presentations as they read Day of Tears by Julius Lester.  The unit will culminate with a trip to Auction Street and Slavehaven, a house that was part of the Underground Railroad.

Ms. Johnson and Ms. Campbell will create a research-based curriculum that will include activities, projects, and games to encourage students to think critically and solve problems.  The curriculum will provide students with varied methods of teaching and ... more »

The Moorhead High School Literacy Committee will collaborate with faculty, staff, students, and community members to create a literature-rich environment that will promote leisure reading.  In order to increase fluency and comprehension, this initiative will put ... more »

In order to increase students’ environmental awareness, Ms. Nedry and Ms. Huffman will guide alternative education students in the creation of an outdoor learning center.  The planning, design, implementation, and ongoing monitoring and maintenance of this ... more »

Ms. Werle and Ms. Steele’s ninth and tenth grade health technology students will work with staff and participants at an adult day health program.  Students will develop technology-based activity stations and design a “sensory room” for people ... more »

Students in Mrs. Peck-Janssen’s archaeology classes and Dr. Barthel’s Environmental Science classes will conduct a garbology research project to analyze the recycling behaviors of high school students in order to increase effective recycling practices and ... more »

Ms. Larkin and a team of mathematics instructors will conduct a pilot program introducing College Preparatory Math (CPM) Algebra Connections to half of their ninth grade students, while the other half of their students will continue to be taught under the existing ... more »

Mr. Springer and Ms. James will implement “EXCELerate,” a computer-assisted, performance based educational program based on course content and designed to help at-risk students graduate.  Comprehensive programming in academics, technical skills ... more »

A group of educators in St. Croix Falls School District will research best practices for infusing 21st century skills throughout the curriculum, with an emphasis on incorporating rigor, relevance, and technology into lessons to enhance student learning.The group ... more »

Ms. Lavold will attend Harvard's Project Zero Summer Institute.Upon completion of the program, Ms. Lavold will return to her district and apply the principles of the institute in a progressive and innovative professional growth opportunity for her colleagues.She ... more »

The staff of Fairview High School will collaborate on implementing innovative assessment and grading practices.  Topics covered will include grading as a true reflection of student learning, traditional assessment, and grading practices, and the impact of grades ... more »

Ms. Gates and Mrs. Moorer will create a cohort of American history teachers who will participate in a yearlong study of Cleveland history in order to improve the content and quality of American history taught in the city’s schools.  This cohort will ... more »

Ms. , A team of Belen teachers and community partners will engage in an Earth Force training seminar in preparation for both the “Earth Force Summer of Service” and the upcoming school year.  Fifteen teachers will participate in the training, five ... more »