Augmentative Alt. Comm. Kits for SLP
$1,275.00 Awarded

The intent for this project is to create AAC Kits for the SLPs who support students in Lifeskills programming in E - 8th grade. This would allow the SLPs to have ready made materials and fun activities to engage students and support their development. The kits would be made up of a range of books and toys/materials that were chosen because of the communication skills that each could target and, specifically, the kinds of vocabulary that might be elicited or taught with AAC strategies. In addition, each activity would have low tech AAC visuals created specifically for the activity. Likely, every item would have a communication board that includes ‘core’ vocabulary and related fringe vocabulary. For some items, there would also be individual pictures or picture symbols on pages that could be manipulated (e.g., removing symbols and placing them on a sentence strip, a choice board, etc) with the help of velcro dots. Some books would be adapted with related picture symbols enhancing text. Finally, each toy/activity would likely have a sheet to provide some suggestions for related lesson plan / vocabulary targets and, possibly, some suggestions for high tech implementation. The kits would also expand the repertoire of materials that the SLPs have access to, continue to expand SLP competency (especially for the SLPs that are newer to this work), and allow the SLPs to potentially push the materials into the classrooms (for carry over and capacity building with other staff members.

Science Resources for EBD Program
$1,000.00 Awarded

We aim to provide our students with engaging hands-on science experiences, fostering their curiosity, critical thinking, and academic growth.   Students with EBD face unique challenges in accessing quality education, often requiring specialized instructional approaches to support their learning needs effectively. Despite their potential and eagerness to learn, many of our students lack exposure to foundational scientific concepts and practical laboratory experiences due to limited resources in our classroom. As a result, they are often deprived of the opportunity to explore and develop an interest in science, hindering their academic and personal development.  We are seeking funding to acquire a comprehensive science curriculum specifically designed for students with EBD, along with science laboratory kits to facilitate hands-on experiments.

Culturally Relevant Books for Library
$2,000.00 Awarded

Edgewood has building goals with a focus on Literacy and Cultural Teaching Opportunities in which students are able to see themselves in our spaces.  Our goal is to update the Edgewood library collection with diverse and culturally relevant books that are age appropriate for our students and families.  We would like to create a more inclusive setting and sense of belonging for students and families in our programs.  Seeing oneself reflected has a direct impact on students’ social emotional well-being.  We would like to start by adding books that reflect more of our community; to include, but not limited to; books by and about our Native American community, our African American community and books about women in general.  In addition, we would like to order said books from publishers and booksellers in these communities where possible.  Research indicates that children who have been exposed to library preschool programs show a high number of emergent literacy behaviors and pre-reading skills.  We would like our children to enjoy the library and seek it out by making it warm and inviting to them so they will develop these skills.  process.

Biotechnology & Genetics Program & Equipment
$2,042.50 Awarded

Using cancer as a lens through which to view history, marginalized people, and medicine works extremely well. Virtually every single student in my classroom (who feels comfortable sharing) has dealt with cancer in some way or knows someone who had to deal with it. This makes cancer a real, relevant concept that students can relate to. 

Genetics and Biotechnology is a new class at Prior Lake High School. It’s a science elective and in its first year the students who enrolled were intensely interested in science. I’d like to capitalize on that interest next year when even more students will be enrolled in the class. To do this, I’d like to draw students in with a story.

Students will engage in several labs related to cancer biology including one that allows them to see how cancer forms in plants, one that uses antibodies to detect simulated blood cancers, and one that uses gel electrophoresis to find cancer in simulated DNA samples. During these labs, students will be expected to work collaboratively, formally analyze their results, and share those results with the class.

Laser Engraver
$710.00 Awarded

The middle school industrial technology program uses safe and accessible tools to engage students in learning design, manufacturing and engineering, as well as giving them positive and meaningful opportunities to problem solve in the development of various solutions and products. One such tool that is used for all 6th grade students is a CNC laser engraving machine (Afinia Emblaser 2) that takes student-created graphic design and etches, or burns, the design onto a piece of wood. This laser machine that we already have introduces students to practical ways that tools can be used to facilitate and improve the accuracy and abilities of people ranging from artists to engineers.

Earth Science Lab Supplies
$470.79 Awarded

PLSAS has a new Earth Science curriculum for 6th grade science. By acquiring these additional supplies, students are provided with resources to complete hands-on labs and experiments.

Literacy Stations
$1,500.00 Awarded

The intent of this grant is to create literacy stations during reading and writing/phonics workshops in the classroom. This will enable reaching all learners in the classroom by providing differentiated skills to ALL learners. Several literacy stations will be piloted for a multitude of classrooms. This project will help set the foundation for youth readers.

3D Printer
$2,099.00 Awarded

Tech ed classes are designed around the engineering design process, which has students think through and problem solve in a variety of situations. 3D printing is a real world way that engineers are solving problems, and the presence of a 3D printer has been a very effective tool in the tech ed curriculum. There are current limitations in only having one 3D printer, as there is limited capacity and time restraints that are a deficit for students' ability to have access to this technology. The printer needs to run overnight and for several consecutive days, often taking longer than the pace of our curriculum. A second 3D printer will allow more students to have access to prototyping and printing needs, thus providing more effective and authentic implementation of the engineering design process.

Spintronics
$807.17 Awarded

This project gives 4th grade students the opportunity to extend their knowledge of energy and electronics beyond the lessons provided by the FOSS Science Energy Curriculum. Having a collection of 12 Spintronics Act One sets provides classroom teachers the chance to give their students a collaborative opportunity to see the flow of current as they discover electronics in a tangible and deeply intuitive way.

Peaceful Places
$600.00 Awarded

We are seeing an increase in mental health, social-emotional, and behavioral needs in our schools, from the youngest learners to upper grade levels. Children are showing a need for access to coping tools that are widely available for them to explore. Simple methods such as deep breathing exercises, positive affirmations/self-talk, and sensory tools are documented to help support regulation and have a calming effect. This project will offer these three tools to all students in elementary, early childhood, and for students in the CID program at the middle school level to explore and utilize. Our Peaceful Places will invite students who are feeling any emotion - from curiosity to frustration - to be present in the moment, build a sense of community and connection, and develop social-emotional skills. Additionally, students will build their “tool-boxes'' of activities that help them in times of need or distress. They can utilize these strategies at home and within the community.