Each year, The Partnership Plan gives grants to teachers and staff for great ideas—inspiring students and enhancing instruction in the classroom. Classroom Grants are available to all Stillwater Area Public Schools teachers and staff to support STEAM and extras for the classroom, whether that be virtual or in person. Classroom Grants are intended to inspire students, enrich instruction and support classrooms across the district.
Our Classroom Grants committee recently reviewed grant proposals, and in late October our board of directors approved 14 grants and one sponsorship, totaling $27,885. This year’s classroom grants included a wide variety of innovative ideas- such as a virtual choir program, video tools for a science class, and an app for aid a physical education teacher in her online class. See below for a detailed list of all approved Classroom Grants.
Are you a Stillwater teacher who missed the deadline for Classroom Grants? Don’t fear! While we typically only review applications once each year in the fall, we are leaving the application open this year and will continue to review grants as they come in. Please visit our Classroom Grants page to apply today.
CLASSROOM GRANTS: Fall 2020
Books As Mirrors & Windows (F2013) $717
Belonging is one of the primary needs of a Responsive Classroom. As the expression goes, books are windows into other worlds and mirrors into our own. District 834 strives to be a “champion of equity” and one of the elements is cultural inclusivity. The objective of this program is to provide both window and mirror experiences for all students through read-aloud stories, to see themselves reflected in their classroom instruction and learning.
Dulcimers With Ross Sutter (F2006) $1,475
Grade 3 students learn the science of sound by understanding how frets and strings alter the sound as the students assemble, decorate, and learn to play the dulcimer. Students keep the instrument at the end of this program. This project satisfies standards in science, art, and music.
Virtual Choir Project (F2001) $3,800
Due to COVID, in-person performances are not allowed. This project allows the SAHS choral program to produce two virtual choir performances for their top ensembles. The projects will allow hybrid and online choir students to collaborate on artistic musical performances that would otherwise not be possible this school year.
Spreading Our Wings To Mexico (F2014) $720
Students in first grade will experience Mexico and express themselves creatively through art and writing. The virtual trip takes our learners to a market, the ocean, a Mayan Temple, the Museo Maya Arqueologica, and a Children’s Day celebration. Completed by students in the hybrid and distance learning models, simultaneously.
All About The Bass (F2015) $1,665
Enriches and enhances visual or performing art experiences for elementary-age students enrolled in CIP, the level 3 program for students with Autism in Stillwater Area Public Schools. The program is designed for current and future students of the CIP program.
Go Pro Video Labs For Online Learners (F2010) $1,610
For the Grade 9 Physical Science curriculum, allowing a great introduction into laboratory equipment and techniques. The program provides virtual learners a laboratory experience from home. Allows for live-streaming, thereby allowing distance learners to conduct work with in-class students synchronously.
Minnesota Monarchs (F2009) $1,040
By providing Monarch butterfly growing kits, first-grade students have an up-close, hands-on, engaging learning experience on the insect’s life cycle all the while supporting the Minnesota Monarch population. Kits are provided for both hybrid and distance learning students.
Dissection In The Age Of COVID (F2005) $1,500
Due to COVID, the sharing of specimens does not provide for proper social distancing. This grant provides additional samples so that all students in the human anatomy and CIS human Physiology classes have the opportunity to see the anatomical structures of various mammals.
Electron Excitement (F2016) $750
Purchasing and sharing material for the diffraction grating of light. Physical science, chemistry, physics, and astronomy classes can investigate spectroscopy, atomic emission spectra, and the basics of quantum mechanics.
Powering Sustainable Living In The 21st Century (F2008) $1,980
A unique program providing a STEM education curriculum. By purchasing and providing individual science kits for those students learning at home, all 5th graders will explore science through journaling, collaboration, and flip grid presentations. These students will share their progress and observations with first graders as a synchronized learning opportunity.
We Are So Psyched!! (F2003) $4,507
Providing hands-on labs to enable students to learn the information using a tactile learning approach. With a growing number of students experiencing mental health issues, these labs allow students to experience the effects of a mind/body connection while combating the stigma often associated with mental health disorders.
Pony Brew (F2002) $792
To keep the Coffee Cart alive at SAHS during COVID, students had to think outside the box. After researching 7 different apps, AppInstitute was chosen. Aligned with a monitor, orders will be live, filled, and delivered quickly...supporting a real-life work scenario. This pays for a one-year subscription for the app.
Adapted Piece Books (F2011) $509
45 specifically selected titles to encourage independence, model fluency, instill a love of reading while introducing students to a new genre of books. These materials make the books and answering the WH questions (who, what, where, when, how, and how many) accessible to all students. To be introduced during reading and math classes.
Peloton Training App (F2004) $1,820
For online students taking PE courses, this app holds them accountable for their at-home workouts. This application is downloaded to any device and offers the following options: mediation, yoga, strength training, outdoor running/walking/cycling, treadmill training, cardio, and boot camp.
NASA Human Exploration Challenge (F2007) $5,000 (sponsorship)
This is a national STEM competition for high school and college students. Stillwater Area High School will be the first public school in Minnesota with a team. The group will design, build and test many aspects of an innovative human-powered vehicle. This program also requires the team to engage with the community by speaking to a minimum of 250 about their project.
Total of all 14 grants + 1 sponsorship = $ 27,885
Number of Students Impacted: 4,595