Student Achievement Grants: Summer 2008 Recipients

California

Dr. Steven Shizumura, Lynwood
9th Grade Teacher, Firebaugh High School
Partner: Mr. Phil Diep
Grant Amount: $5,000

The “Healthy Foods Project” will allow students to research and develop their diets by learning about the effects different types of food have on health. Participating students will disseminate their learnings to the general population of students through development of written literature such as pamphlets and flyers.

Ms. Daina Rose Flores, Pacifica
1st Grade Teacher, Sunset Ridge Elementary School
Partner: Mr. Patrick Chang
Grant Amount: $5,000

Ms. Flores and Mr. Chang will develop a computer lab that will give teachers the tools needed to foster students’ technological foundations. Students will learn technological terms and apply critical thinking and problem solving strategies to math and reading challenges.

Colorado

Mr. Jonathan H. Bergmann, Woodland Park
10th to 12th Grade Instructor, Department of Science, Woodland Park High School
Partner: Ms. Lois L. Devaux
Grant Amount: $5,000

Lessons and lectures will be recorded as video podcasts by Mr. Bergman and his partners for student use outside of class. With the resulting additional class time, students will have greater opportunity for self-directed laboratories.

Georgia

Mrs. Shenell Collier, Valdosta
7th Grade Teacher, J. L. Newbern Middle School
Partner: Ms. Kimberlee Harris
Grant Amount: $5,000

Using state standards for Language Arts and Social Studies, students will plan and implement poetry and rap performances for the entire school, using their lived experiences as an analytical frame.

Maryland

Mrs. Sherion Cosby, Bethesda
6th to 8th Grade Media and Theatre Teacher, Westland Middle School
Partner: Ms. Themis Johnson
Grant Amount: $5,000

Students will participate in the organization, development, and usage of a new television show which will be aired for the student body, local elementary schools, and a local cable network. As a result, two additional classes will be offered at Westland in the 2008-2009 school year; a TV studio class and a media production class.

New Jersey

Mr. Uriah Young, Ewing
5th Grade Teacher, Lore Elementary School
Partner: Ms. Suzanne Merrill
Grant Amount: $5,000

Mr. Young and the fifth grade teaching staff will engage students in learning that will take them through early American history using interactive software and a walking tour of both historic Philadelphia and the National Constitution Center.

Mrs. Shanna Howell, Marlboro
9th to 12th Grade Teacher, Marlboro High School
Partner: Mr. Alexander DePalma
Grant Amount: $5,000

To increase students’ understanding of their roles as world citizens, Mrs. Howell and Mr. DePalma will assist students in conducting primary and secondary research about a developing country in which to issue microloans through the selection of a Kiva.org entrepreneur.

New York

Ms. Amy Greenwald, Randolph
Teacher, Randolph Central School
Partner: Ms. Tanya Thomas
Grant Amount: $5,000

ESL and special education students will develop information, mathematics, and language skills through the creation of video podcasts to be shared with the general population students. The program will also serve as a means of mainstreaming special populations.

Ohio

Mrs. Jessica Davis, Grover Hill
4th to 5th Grade Teacher, Wayne Trace Grover Hill Elementary School
Partner: Ms. Trisha Beining
Grant Amount: $5,000

“Around School We Soar” will provide an opportunity to create a technology-rich instruction in math, science, and language arts, allowing students to generate and demonstrate knowledge and skills in new ways through technology-based units and presentations.

Mrs. Tami Golliday, St. Marys
9th to 12th Grade Teacher, Memorial High School
Partner: Ms. Heather Buehler
Grant Amount: $5,000

Project Blue will allow students to investigate carbon cycle global warming issues, generate presentations, conduct experiments, and present findings to their peers as well as outside community organizations.

Oregon

Ms. Cindy Rochester, Clackamas
11th to 12th Grade Teacher, Clackamas High School
Partner: Ms. Laura Zahm
Grant Amount: $5,000

In an alternative approach to addressing national and state standards, statistics students will lead freshman science students through a series of mini labs testing consumer products. The lab series is an alternative approach using critical thinking skills to teach national and state standards in the areas of math and science.

Pennsylvania

Ms. Sinead Layton, Furlong
5th Grade Teacher, Bridge Valley Elementary School
Partner: Ms. Colleen Carroll
Grant Amount: $5,000

“Hands-On, Minds-On Classroom” will provide students an opportunity to create a technology-rich classroom environment and allow them to generate and demonstrate knowledge and skills in new ways.

South Carolina

Dr. Agatha O'Brien-Gayes, Conway
Academic Advisor, Coastal Carolina University
Partner: Ms. Nelljean M. Rice
Grant Amount: $5,000

Dr. O’Brien-Gayes seeks to expand a pilot program for building and deploying remotely operated vehicles in the First Year Experience program. The desired outcomes of the project are to accelerate the exploration of the interdisciplinary nature of science, utilize technology in the classroom, and create an environment for creative and critical thinking through experiential learning.

Tennessee

Mr. James E. Greene, Crossville
10 th to 12th Grade Science Instructor, Stone Memorial High School
Partner: Ms. Linda Ridge
Grant Amount: $5,000

Mr. Greene and Ms. Ridge will challenge students to solve a murder mystery using DNA evidence at a simulated crime scene. The eight part laboratory series will foster critical thinking and problem solving in the field of genetics.

Texas

Mr. William R. Claughton, San Antonio
8th Grade Teacher, Walter Krueger Middle School of Applied Technology
Partner: Ms. Tracy Thomas
Grant Amount: $5,000

Students of Mr. Claughton and Ms. Thomas will apply learned uses of engineering design and scientific method to develop atmospheric research rockets that carry a sensor to study ozone levels.

Virginia

Mr. Matthew Roadruck, Norfolk
1st Grade Teacher, Dreamkeepers Academy
Partner: Mr. Christopher Hunsicker
Grant Amount: $5,000

To increase students’ mathematic retention and creative writing ability, Mr. Roadruck and Mr. Hunsicker will incorporate the use of Palm handheld computers in classroom activities.