Grants Supporting Kids
- BEF offers Building STEAM 4 ALL grant with support from Spirit Mountain Community Fund, Genentech, Wells Fargo Bank, Beaverton Rotary, the Dave Gettling Memorial Technology Fund, the Boyd Applegarth Memorial Fund and other kind donors. Learn More
- Grants for educators promote innovative projects and provide critical
learning opportunities.
- BEF grants are available, through
a competitive application process, to all Beaverton School
District employees.
- BEF has awarded more than $1,830,000 in BEF Kids Count Grants, BEF Classroom Innovation grants, and After-the-Bell Student Success Awards.
- Learn about BEF’s three named funds
Kids Count Grants
BEF Kids Count Grants are grants of $5,000-$10,000 for after-school and summer programs that provide students with tutoring in reading, writing, science or math, and/or enrichment opportunities in science, math and the Arts. In 2000 BEF began offering grants of $5,000-$10,000 for after school and summer programs that provide tutoring or enrichment for students.
2009 BEF Kids Count Grants Awarded. With thanks to the BEF Grant Committee and readers and the generosity of our corporate and community members, the Beaverton Education Foundation was able to award six grants, totaling $48,922. Learn more.
For the list of 2008 awards, see our 2008 Kids Count grants summary sheet.
Building STEAM 4 ALL Program
The Beaverton Education Foundation is pleased to offer, with generous support from Spirit Mountain Community Fund, Genentech, Wells Fargo Bank, Beaverton Rotary, the Dave Gettling Memorial Technology Fund, the Boyd Applegarth Memorial Fund and other kind donors, an additional pool of funds available for application to all Beaverton schools and staff to promote activities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, the Building STEAM 4 ALL Program.
To be approved under this funding pool, grants must meet at least one of the following objectives and be prepared to report on the following.
- Enhance student exposure to, interest and performance in science, technology, engineering or mathematics.
- Foster future student interest and subsequent success in science, technology, engineering and mathematics schoolwork and/or careers, both now and potentially in the future.
- Encourage student enrollment, retention and success at one of Beaverton's science-intensive schools.
Success will be measured by:
- Increased achievement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics coursework subsequent to program participation (project grades, course grades, student work samples.
- Increase the number of students participating in science, technology, engineering and mathematics activities with special attention to under-represented groups using enrollment/participation statistics.
Please call or email Kristine Baggett, BEF Executive Director, for questions or to help determine if your project qualifies.
Classroom Innovation Grants
2009 Classroom Innovation Grants Awarded
With thanks to our generous donors, including the Dave Gettling Technology Fund, the Mike Osborne Memorial Award Fund, and Building STEAM 4 All (supported with donations from Spirit Mountain Community Fund, Genentech, Beaverton Rotary and Boyd Applegarth Memorial Fund), Beaverton Education Foundation was able to award $26,566, funding 30 classroom projects.
BEF Classroom Innovation Grants awarded to schools throughout the Southridge High School feeder system: Southridge High, Highland Park Middle, and Cooper Mountain, Hiteon, and McKay Elementary Schools were partially supported by a gift from the Helming Family Foundation. Learn more.
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
The Mike Osborne Memorial Fund supports literacy programs through the BEF Classroom Innovation Grants program. Funded with income from an endowment, the Mike Osborne Memorial Fund is used to fund competitive literacy-focused grants, identified through the in BEF Classroom Innovation Grant Program. Grants are awarded annually, range from $500 to $1,000 and must be used to implement literacy-focused innovative classroom projects.
- Opal Creek Ancient Forest Overnight
School: Vose Elementary
Award: $1,000
Students learn science through the scientific process and experiential learning, and the best way to learn science is to be immersed in it. Due to economic and cultural backgrounds many students do not get the hands-on experiences of going to forest habitats. Grant funds will be used to provide students with an overnight trip to the Opal Creek Ancient Forest Center. There, students will solidify their academic knowledge. Students will explore sustainability, ecology, watersheds, astronomy, and geology through hikes, observations and journaling. They will present a science fair project based on their experience.
2009-2010 Awardees
See the 2008-2009 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.
- Scientific Terrific!
School: McKay Elementary
Award: $990
Research increasingly shows that students' interest in science, especially for girls, reaches a make-or-break point in 5th grade. Creating enthusiasm for science and fostering scientific thinking are the goals of this program. In this pilot project, students will plan their own science inquiries, follow project guidelines, reflect on their learning, use engaging tools and technology, and create multi-media presentations. The goal of the project, for TAG (Talented and Gifted), and high achieving students, especially girls, is to create enthusiasm and engagement in the study of science beyond elementary school. - Geocache Adventures
School: Hazeldale Elementary
Award: $594
Technology is an integral and growing part of daily living in the 21st Century. This projct supports the use of technology through the use of global positioning system (GPS) receivers, and a GPS based activity called geocaching. Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world. Students will locate hidden containers called geocaches, using GPS, and share their experiences online. This activity provides hands-on learning in the areas of math, geography, science and logic, and encourages engagement in authentic, collaborative learning process. - Phenom – Desktop Scanning Electron Microscope
School: Beaverton High
Award: $1,000
The world of nanotechnology is about to be opened! The Phenom is a high-powered scanning electron microscope tool that can magnify images up to 20,000 times. Things like pollen, insect parts, sugar crystals, thread, hair, bolts, etc., come alive as small detail becomes visible. Students will have a hands-on experience with a variety of samples from the world around us. Each student will be able to take away digitally captured images of samples they have chosen and manipulated with a high tech instrument that is as easy to use as a digital camera. The project will involve after-school time for small groups of students who will get exposure and instruction with the Phenom. Students will also be invited to participate in an open house in the Nanotechnology Center at Portland State University, where they will be able to view more powerful scanning electron microscopes in use and reinforce the amazement with nanotechnology in action. - Engineering Alternative Energy Solutions
School: Meadow Park Middle
Award: $1,000
During this engineering project, students will be exposed to and fostered in engineering principles by producing solar, wind, hydrogen, or water energy production devices of their choosing. Given basic components, they will design and build a working turbine or car. Students will then determine the amount of energy produced from their device and determine how many of their devices would be needed to replace its fossil fuel counterpart. Students will also compute changes in carbon dioxide production if their device was used instead of the fossil fuel counterpart.
2009-2010 Awardees
After-the-Bell Student Success Awards
Each year noncompetitive block grants are awarded to middle schools. The grants fund after-school programs for tutoring and enrichment for students in reading, writing, science, mathematics and the arts. While the academic opportunities are critical for students, the safe, structured school environment provides many students the haven to stay connected to school and interact with positive adult role models.
National research shows that after-school programs improve academic performance and behavior. Educators know that keeping middle school students involved reduces high school dropout rates and principals attest to the value of extended day curriculum that fosters literacy, engaged learning and enrichment. Our evaluation of these programs demonstrates significant and sustainable impact on student achievement during the school day. But current after-school activities exist only because of local contributions and the rare federal grant.
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