Student Achievement Grants Fall 2007

Student Achievement Grants: Fall 2007 Recipients

CALIFORNIA

Brian Ki, Bellflower
Math Teacher
Somerset High School
Partner: Tamara Garr

Use radio controlled cars and motion detectors to document corollary coordinates to quantify the application of the linear equation y=mx+b using TI-84 calculators (Learning Standard: Math).

Sumita Soni, Oakland
Arts & Humanities Social Studies
Sankofa Academy
Partner: Jill Guerra

1) Investigate migration patterns of African-Americans to California through a cultural research project, and

2) Create family tree through digital reproduction and other media.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Harriet Kuhn, Washington
Teacher/Researcher
John W. Ross Elementary School


Employ an activity-based reading program integrating books and animals to demonstrate relationship building and self-esteem development.

FLORIDA

Nina Kimbrough, Tampa
Mathematics Teacher
Gaither High School

Partner: Peter Danile

Extracting “math standards” inherent in a Special Olympics program to reinforce standards-based math instruction.

GEORGIA

Sharona Thomas-Wilson, Atlanta

Special Education Teacher
William M. Finch Elementary School

Partner: Melissa M. May

An entrepreneurial business program designed to teach and reinforce math and economics standards.

ILLINOIS

Judith L. Goebel, Newton
Science Teacher
Newton Community High School
Partner: Cassandra Baker

Offer an interdisciplinary program using a computer interface “probe-ware” to examine physical and chemical properties of Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics through instructional coordination.

KENTUCKY

Pamela Dickinson, Hopkinsville
Business Teacher
Indian Hills Elementary School

Partner: Teresa Combs

Elementary students will poll (via survey) the student body to determine a product line toward creating a student store for an entrepreneurial development project.

Bryan J. Flachbart, Hustonville
Interdisciplinary Teacher
Hustonville Elementary School

Partner: Gwen Lawson

Using GPS Navigation technology, students will investigate longitude and latitude by participating in a scavenger hunt by means of “Geocaching.”

Jennifer Linn Rase, Stamping Ground
Science Teacher
Stamping Ground Elementary School
Partner: Betsy Fredericks

An exploratory science program designed to demonstrate the process of scientific investigation toward developing projects for entry into Science Fair Academic Competition.

LOUISIANA

Daphne Moore, Shreveport
Science Teacher
Captain Shreve High School
Partner: Willie McPhearson

Students will create a forensic laboratory and use the process of scientific inquiry to investigate a series of reality-based crimes.

MARYLAND

Alexis Nogle Willing, Hebron

Mathematics Teacher
Westside Intermediate School

Partner: Amanda Jane Banks

Students will experience the intricacies of money and finance by opening a series of mock bank accounts and managing their assets through a series of predetermined expenditures.

MASSACHUSETTS

Sheila B. Irvin, Pittsfield
Multidisciplinary Teacher
Egremont Elementary School
Partner: Elizabeth Brunell-Dunham

Students will perform structural examination of a series of abstract artistic shapes and structures toward the application of geometric development for replication/reproduction.

Emmajean Quinn, Plymouth
Assistive Technology Teacher
Federal Furnace School
Partner: Amanda Boardley

Special education students will create a video graphic log to represent a descriptive review of their individual metal and/or physical disabilities as part of an active-learning project called “Who You Are.”

Daniel Moriarty, Whitman
Mathematics Teacher
Whitman-Hanson Regional High School
Partner: Mark Stephansky

Under the guidelines of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System examination for Engineering/Technology, students will engineer three prototypes using specified technology for the planning, design, and prototypical developmental model.

MINNESOTA

Kimberly L. Peddle, Cloquet

Third Grade Teacher
Washington Elementary School
Partner: Ms. Rebecca Hanson

Students will create a series of visual representations (i.e., murals, digital recordings and diary/daily logs) using the standards associated with the Minnesota Academic Standards for history in action.

NEW JERSEY

Kristen Solano, Mullica Hill
Art and Photography Teacher
Clearview Regional High School
Partner: Deana DeNafo

Students will investigate cultural characteristics of Eastern and Western Influences on the aesthetics of design, unity, and harmony found in horticulture.

Becky Oman, National Park
Arts and Humanities/Social Studies Teacher, National Park School
Partner: Kristen Goonan

Students will identify characteristics of their community that represent historically significant events through an interactive program called ARCHIVES: Acquiring Rich Cultural History In Various Everyday Settings.

NEW MEXICO

Jessica Blanchard, Las Cruces
Interdiciplinary Language Arts/Social Studies Teacher
Lynn Middle School
Partner: Joyce Mora

Students will participate in “Voices for the Borderlands~ Voces de la Fronter,” a multicultural curriculum project based on the literacy framework and integrate personal and family narratives and home and community outreach.

NORTH CAROLINA

Jessica Prayer, Elizabeth City
Arts and Humanities/Social Studies Teacher
Northside Elementary School

Partner: Doris Price

Students will connect events of the past to the realities of today and compare historically significant events through role play and archaeological research.

OHIO

Nicole J. Hassan, Akron

Fifth Grade Teacher, Legget Elementary School
Partner: Mary P. Penchalk

Students will explore ecosystems around the world by simulating environmental conditions needed to sustain area plant life.

Debra Foster, Pickerington
Math Teacher
Pickerington Lakeview Junior High School
Partner: Debbie Skarsten

Students will demonstrate math principles by designing and producing two products which must perform and/or represent specified geometric applications.

Judith Sprainhoward, University Heights
Science Teacher
Bellefaire School
Partner: Lauren Wicks

Students will build and program robots to perform assigned tasks and report their findings as part of a robotics competition.

OKLAHOMA

Meredith Lea Pankop-Wronowski, Oklahoma City
Science Teacher
Capital Hill High School

Partner: Debra Crawford

Students will explore Biotechnology as part of a collaboratively articulated program with a local college to carry out a series of exhaustive DNA investigations.

OREGON

Douglas Stuivenga, Keizer

Engineering Teacher
McNary High School

Partner: Keith Andersen

Students will apply math to things around them and create a series of three dimensional models.

PENNSYLVANIA

Scott L. O'Donnell, Oil City
English Department Head
Oil City Area High School
Partner: Shaun McLoughlin

Students will explore how media shapes society, culture, and politics and create a series of digital representations of the types of media production that are possible.

Brian K. Liskey, Oley
School Social Worker
Oley Valley High School

Partner: Robert Nye

Students will explore "Air Repair" as an ecological concept and perform quantitative data collection on air quality locally and globally.

TEXAS

Chelsea Ann Kostyniak, Grand Prairie
English Teacher
Grand Prairie High Ninth Grade Center
Partner: Kinzie Morgan

This collaborative writing program focuses on social aspects of the complete writing process (prewriting, drafting, collaboration, editing and revising, and final publication) to a meaningful audience.

Mathias Strommer, Houston
Humanities Teacher
Wilson Academy (Aldine ISD)

Partner: Ysin Dilek

Students will demonstrate historical data by participating in an interactive reenactment of historically significant events based on History Standards (TAKS).

Michele Cook, Lubbock
ELA Teacher
Alderson Middle School
Partner: Hidie Henry

Students will demonstrate a variety of proven hands-on methods to simulate real world application of literacy improvement as based on English instructional standards.

Marianne Berger Woods, Odessa
Visiting Assisting Professor Art History
University of Texas of the Permian Basin

Partner: Ana Marie Perez

Implement a study aboard program to improve culture diversity and awareness among low-income participants.

UTAH

Valene Scott, Ephraim
Science Teacher
Ephraim Middle School
Partner: Jeff Bartholomew

Students will investigate systems of the human body through interactive exploration (i.e., cell structures, bodily functions).

VIRGINIA

William C. Van Evera, Arlington
Science Teacher
H-B Woodlawn Program

Partner: Dawn Bronstin

Conduct nutritional analysis of popular local food spots and publish a nutritional guide for Arlington teenagers.

WASHINGTON

Beth Ann Rockey, Ocean Shores
Science Teacher
Ocean Shores Elementary School

Partner: Michael Barbero

Create an active learning interdisciplinary science project to create a green space at school.

Steven Miller, Seattle
Math Teacher,
The New School @ Southshore
Partner: Laurie Kazanjian

Create and implement an integrated hands-on learning program linking math, literacy, and art in the study and demonstration of tessellations.

WEST VIRGINIA

Susan E. Hvizdos, Wheeling
Mathematics Teacher
Wheeling Park High School
Partner: Stephanie J. Romanek

Technology enhanced program to increase student application of numbering systems based on alignment to standards, instructional goals, and assessments measures (pre-test data).