BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — More than a dozen teachers in Kern County are getting a helping hand in the classroom as they have been selected to receive grants from the California Table Grape Commission.
In all, 19 teachers will get up to $750 to fund projects in areas like agriculture, math, art and health. Take a look at the grants being awarded below!
How Green is Your Garden Kathryn Douglas -Tierney, Owens Intermediate School
Fifth grade students will grow vegetables to blend into smoothies and dehydrate into healthy snacks as they learn about physical wellness and good food choices. Grant funds will be used to purchase an Aerogarden, seeds for herbs and vegetables, a dehydrator, and a blender.
Make Math Fun Again! Amanda Madkins - Choyce, Mount Vernon Elementary
First grade students will integrate math learning with all the other subjects, like science, art, and reading. Grant funds will be used to purchase Lakeshore curriculum kits to learn about season and weather, bugs and insects, force and motion, shapes and counting, patterns, measuring, and more.
Our Kinder Garden is Blooming! Valerie Padilla, Evergreen Elementary School
Grant funds will be used to purchase raised garden beds, soil, compost, and gardening tools for these kindergarten students to learn about how food grows.
Tasting the Rainbow Jessica Ercoli, New Teacher Support
Grant funds will purchase healthy eating books, fruits, and vegetables for kindergarten and first grade students to taste and try in lessons about health, science, math, reading, and writing.
The Munsey News Network Sarah Reiss, Munsey Elementary School
Fourth and fifth grade students will write scripts and produce a twice per week news show for the entire school. Grant funds will be used to purchase a camcorder, microphone, editing software, and news team t-shirts
The One-Mile Club Laurie Kessler, William Penn Elementary School
Fifth grade students will run one mile in 12 minutes or less to pass the California State Physical Education test in April. Grant funds will be used to purchase a standing digital timer, stopwatches, tally counters, ankle weights, a wagon for transporting the equipment, and an extension cord.
Water Necessary for Optimum Plant Growth Shun Yee Florence Flesche, Munsey Elementary School
Grant funds will be used to purchase tools and plants for the garden planters as these fourth grade students explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to conduct science experiments and find out how much water to use to yield optimum plant growth.
Water to Help our Garden Grow Rachel Lenix, Downtown Elementary School
Sixth grade students will contribute grant purchased water barrels to the school garden as they learn about the water cycle, water conservation, science, water safety, and nutrition.
Delano Union Elementary School District
Lights, Camera, Action! Rene Mendivil, La Vina Middle School
Eighth grade theater and performance art students will explore their creativity as they write, direct, illustrate, perform, record, edit, and publish original plays. Grant funds will be used to purchase a camera, software, and memory cards.
Virtual Reality Classroom Patricia Guzman, Nueva Vista Language Academy
Grant funds will be used to purchase virtual reality headsets for second grade students to see and be a part of the Discovery Channel, academic games, and far-away places, as every lesson becomes a real experience.
Mindfulness Through Fitness Griselda Boydstun Gomez, Nueva Vista Language Academy
Grant-funded exercise equipment and healthy snacks will allow third through fifth grade students to value themselves and each other as they learn about health, fitness, and nutrition.
Edison School District
Edison Middle School Garden Expansion Project Brian Holle, Edison Middle School
Grant funds will be used to purchase fencing and related supplies to secure, beautify, and define the expanding garden. Seventh and eighth grade students will help with the expansion project in addition to being able to grow fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants in agriculture classes.
Kern High School District
CSI: Forensic Investigations Kevin Crosby, AIM Center/Kern High School District
Grant-funded forensic kits like “Who Stole the Gold” and “Case of the Missing Mascot” will allow ninth through twelfth grade students to collaborate and analyze the data as they collect clues and solve mysteries via realistic crime scenes.
Matter and Energy Cycling in Aquaponics Ecosystems Kristin Hudlow, Centennial High School
Ninth and tenth grade students will study food chains, food webs, biogeochemical cycles, and macromolecules with a grant fund purchased aquaponics system for classroom use.
Multicultural Classic Books for Diverse Students! Andrew Chilton, Stockdale High School
Twelfth grade students will choose books to read from a diverse assortment that are multicultural in content and written by well-respected international authors. Grant funds will be used to purchase books.
Norris School District
Differentiated Learning Through Flexible Seating Christy Nelson, William B. Bimat Elementary School
Sixth grade students will be able to choose where they want to sit throughout the day to maximize engagement; collaborate, communicate, and think critically with better posture; and increase core strength and metabolism. Grant funds will be used to purchase balance ball chairs, wobble seats, a table and chairs, futon, and more.
Panama Buena Vista Union School District
Hands on STEM Kits for Kindergarten Joni Wattenbarger, Panama Elementary School
Kindergarten students will use science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) kits to be active learners and problem solvers. Grant funds will be used to purchase Design & Build Engineering centers, Create a Path Magnetic Center, and Fairy Tale Problem Solving STEM kits.
Rosedale Union School District
Making Musicians in Music Club Steve Winn, Freedom Middle School
Grant funds will be used to purchase bongos, drums, maracas, and a cowbell beater for seventh and eighth grade music club students to learn about and enjoy drums and hand percussion. These instruments are needed to accommodate the members of this club.
Tehachapi Unified School District
Foil Landscape Debbie Haeberle, Jacobsen Middle School
Grant funds will be used to purchase printing, photography, and art supplies for sixth grade students to create original pieces of art, laminated foil prints of landscapes.
