Grants Supporting Kids
BEF has two named funds supporting specific initiatives through the Classroom Innovation Grants. If you are interested in establishing a initiatives fund, please contact Executive Director, Kristine Baggett 503.927.9752.
Here are BEF’s two named funds:
The Mike Osborne Memorial Fund Awards
2008-2009 Awardees
- Opal Creek Ancient Forest Overnight
School: Vose Elementary
Award: $1,000
The best way to learn science is to be immersed in it. As a culmination of the 5th grade class studies, students will go on an overnight trip to the Opal Creek Ancient Forest Center. There, students will solidify their academic knowledge under the guidance of Opal Creek instructors. Students will explore sustainability, ecology, watersheds, astronomy and geology, through hikes, observations, and journaling. Students will then present a science fair project based on their experience.
- International Baccalaureate Creativity
Action and Service Project
School: Southridge High School
Award: $516
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program requires students to initiate and implement activities with global impact. For successful completion of the IB diploma, students engage in extracurricular activities that blend creativity, action, and service (CAS). Grant funds will be used to implement a CAS project. Students will read articles and the book Three Cups of Tea, with the objective of increasing student knowledge of the cultures, politics, geography, economics, religions and challenges that face Afghanistan and Pakistan. Students will then discuss the readings and initiate, plan and implement educational activities designed to fund raise for a goal the students set.
See the 2007-2008 Mike Osborne Memorial Fund awardees here.
Dave Gettling Awards
The Dave Gettling Technology Award Fund provides funding for competitive technology-based educational grants. Grants will be awarded annually and will be used to implement innovative classroom projects through BEF’s Classroom Innovation Grants Program.
2008-2009 Awardees
- Closing the Achievement Gap–Access Language
Rich Home Environment
School: Hazeldale Elementary
Award: $1,000
This grant is designed to empower children and families, in partnership with Kindergarten teachers, to support language rich environments at home. In providing families with reader kits, children from every home situation will have access to literacy support outside school hours. Student reading readiness will be improved by providing at-risk kindergartners with take-home book packs, accompanied with audio support. Students will enjoy reading a variety of books and listening to staff members read aloud to them via recorded compact disks.
- Lego Robotics
School: Aloha-Huber Park Elementary
Award: $982
The goal of this project is to increase student achievement in science and technology by teaching an after-school course in robotics for sixth, seventh and eighth grade students. Using Lego Robotics Mindstorms equipment to teach weekly courses in elementary robotics, the project team hopes to send a robotics team to the Oregon Robotics Tournament and Outreach Program competition. The project will encourage students to consider careers in technology, science and computer programming.
- Wii Can Do It!
School: Motor Development Team – All Beaverton Schools
Award: $600
The Wii Can Do It! Project will bring motor development activities to special education students for whom traditional physical education opportunities may not be accessible. Utilizing the innovative Nintendo Wii game system and accessories such as the Wii Fit Balance Board, students with physical and mental challenges will be able to engage in motor learning, take ownership of their own physical activity and participate in sports and games that might not otherwise be possible. Imagine a child in a wheelchair playing golf or tennis, or a child with autism engaged and motivated by full-body exercise. These dreams will be reality with the Wii Can Do It! Project.
- Advanced Video Production
School: Meadow Park Middle
Award: $800
This project will allow students to use cutting edge video production software at the middle school level. Students familiar with the basics of Imovie will be able to take their art to a new level as they incorporate animations, the use of green screen/blue screen for the creation of special effects, and other features available on Final Cut Express. The software will be used to enhance the product outcome for the Signal to Noise film competition, and be used in technology classes as an engaging way to work with digital media.
- Catching the Power of Wind
School: Meadow Park Middle
Award: $1,000
Oregon is one of the leading states to set a goal of having 25% of all its energy production come from renewable resources by the year 2025. This project seeks to bring this current and important issue to life for students by providing them with an opportunity to explore how wind energy can be harnessed using a windmill. Students will work in groups to design, build and test a model windmill. The efficiency of the windmill will be evaluated by the rotational power of the windmill blades and the voltage produced. Students will use Vernier software to collect data and Power Point to communicate their research to their peers, teachers and professionals in the community.
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