2022-2023 School Grant Recipients
Total Requested: $32,783
Total Funded: $21,990.35
Applications Funded: 16
Students Served: 5100+
Districts Funded: 9
Blackstone Millville Regional School District
Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School (BVT)
Douglas Public School District
Mendon-Upton Regional School District
Milford Public School District
BVEF would like to thank our 2022-2023 School Grant Sponsors
that make this program possible!
Blackstone Millville Regional School District
Social Emotional Learning Room at BMRHS
Grant Type: Osterman
Funded: $1,452
Students served: 400
To create a safe space for students who need to de-escalate, reduce anxiety, or deal with emotions while in school. Students will be able to practice stress reduction techniques, have access to a counselor if needed, and express emotions safely. Resources will be available for student and staff use on a variety of social emotional issues. Additionally, students returning from hospitalization for mental illness can utilize this room as they assimilate back into the rigors of a full day's schedule.
Introduction to Colleges Field Trip
Grant Type: BVCC
Funded: $500
Students served: 45-48
Visiting Quinsigamond Community College, Lincoln Technical School, Worcester State University, Worcester Polytechnic University
Students will be exposed to the various options for post secondary learning. Students will visit a vocational school, 2 year college, a 4 year public university and a 4 year private university. Our goal is to allow students to begin to understand the options that exist after leaving BMRHS as well as what the different types of institutions can offer them academically and financially as they prepare for a career. Students will be asked to complete career interest surveys so they can engage in exploring potential majors that would correspond with their career interest. Additionally students will have a tour of campus and meet with admissions representatives.
Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational High School (BVT)
Connecting the Math Classroom to the Engineering & Robotics Program via the TI-84+CE at Blackstone Valley Tech
Grant Type: Unibank
Funded: $1,000
Students served: 260
Previous BVEF funding was instrumental in providing BVT’s Engineering & Robotics shop with half of a graphing calculator classroom set through our “Connecting the Math Classroom to the Engineering & Robotics Program via the TI-84+CE at Blackstone Valley Tech” project. A generous $1,000 grant shall allow BVT to purchase the remaining set of 10 TI-84+CE graphing calculators needed to increase Engineering student access to graphing calculator technology and devices for use in shop projects that transform math academic knowledge into practical applications of STEM concepts. A generous BVEF grant shall provide a combined 260 Engineering & Robotics Vocational Program and Exploratory students at Blackstone Valley Tech with a complete set of TI-84+CE graphing calculators starting in school year 2022-2023 to be used during countless hands-on, project-based engineering activities regularly completed by students, further expanding real-world applications of Engineering & Robotics concepts as well as supporting cross-curricular connections between academic and vocational STEM concepts/skills needed for post-secondary success. Engineering students have expressed interest in using the same graphing calculators utilized in their math classrooms, which are TI-84+CE graphing calculators, to complete Engineering projects. Thus, incorporating a classroom set of graphing calculators within the Engineering & Robotics program shall meet student demand for using and practicing graphing calculator skills, while also increasing access to TI-84+CE graphing calculators that assist students in developing mastery in academic and vocational math skills. Currently, Engineering students who do not use graphing calculators either use computer based programs on their laptops, cell phones, or a classroom set of regular scientific calculators without graphing capabilities. A lack of graphing calculators limits advanced use of graphing techniques needed for post-secondary success, while computer-based programs can create unintentional distractions for students. Since graphing calculators are also tools widely used in STEM careers, incorporating them into Engineering courses shall prepare students to understand why Engineers frequently use graphing calculators in their daily work, provide foundational knowledge of basic graphing calculator operations that lead to advanced graphing functions, and contribute to overall STEM skill development needed for future career success.
Using a MakerBot 3D Printer to Explore Engineering Design by Designing, Printing, and Racing CO2 Cars in the Engineering & Robotics Program at Blackstone Valley Tech
Grant Type: Lampin
Funded: $2000
Students served: 260
Blackstone Valley Tech is respectfully requesting $2,000 to purchase a MakerBot Replicator+ Education Edition 3D Printer to be utilized by 260 grade 9-12 students in our Engineering & Robotics program and Exploratory courses during the 2022-2023 school year. The Engineering & Robotics program continues to struggle with 3D printing capacity, as the program has doubled in size and is no longer able to share 3D printers with our Drafting program. A generous Lampin Corporation grant for a 3D printer shall address 3D printer capacity issues, while significantly enhancing Engineering Design curriculum, a major component and foundational concept for our 4-year Engineering & Robotics vocational program. A new 3D printer shall allow instructors to introduce students to the design process, engineering principles, robotics, process automation, reverse engineering, product design, and manufacturing through the creation of CO2 cars. Rather than solely completing car design phases using Autodesk Inventor and SolidWorks software on the computer, a new 3D printer shall allow students to print a completed CO2 car by the end of the project. CO2 car design possibilities are truly endless, inspiring creative thinking and innovation among students. A bracket race at the end of the project shall provide an opportunity for student collaboration, where students shall provide constructive feedback to one another to improve/enhance their Engineering designs, while practicing valuable communication skills for employability. Not only would a 3D printer be a highly impressive addition to our engineering makerspace, but it also serves as our way of providing students with relevant, industry equipment employers in our region are using and that students shall operate in future professions.
Digital Design Club, to meet in the STEM Lab in Douglas Middle School
Grant Type: UniBank
Funded: $2000
Students served: 30
The students of Douglas Middle School (grades 6-8) will be invited to join a Digital Design Club as part of our after-school enrichment program. As members of this Digital Design Club, students will learn a variety of design techniques as part of the Cricut Design Space software, in conjunction with Canva design tools. At each weekly meeting, students will work both individually and in partners to create unique designs and produce pieces including, but not limited to, t-shirts, hats, mugs, art on canvas, vinyl wall displays, murals, etc. The ultimate goal is to encourage technology skills and creative applications that promote a positive DMS school climate in a fun environment. Hopefully participation will inspire students to pursue careers in STEM fields where they can apply their technology and design skills to affect positive change on a larger scale. The fact that their designs will also help to beautify the school hallways and provide students with a sense of deeper investment in their environment is an added benefit.
Douglas Community Resources & Services For Students and Families
Grant Type: Osterman
Funded: $888.79
Students served: 1180
Students and their families will be able to easily identify and locate resources within the community to help connect them to counseling resources, housing and food services, disability services, recreational services, helpful SEL apps, LGBT+ resources, etc.
Mendon/Upton Regional School District
Nipmuc's STEM Library of Things
Grant Type: Lampin
Funded: $2000
Students Served: 631
The development of “libraries of things” is a growing movement in public libraries. A library of things provides a collection of non-traditional resources that can be checked out by members similar to the way library books are checked out. These items often include tools, arts and crafts, musical instruments, makerspace resources, electronics, and technology. Our proposal for the Nipmuc STEM Library of Things would provide our students and school community with the chance to access these resources for academic and personal exploration of STEM-related topics.
Some of the items that we hope to include in the library of things include soldering supplies, mechanics toolkits, micrometers and other measurement instruments, virtual reality headsets, 3D drawing kits, programmable circuits, podcasting supplies, green screen studios, Ultra HD cameras, media production studio kit, instrument-building kits, and more. These items have a wide variety of applications across the curriculum, allowing students to access tools and supplies that can be used to create original, publishable, and creative products for their courses. The items have connections to courses across the curriculum but have particular relevance to Engineering 1, Engineering 2, Computer Science Essentials, Computer Science Principles, Introduction to Python Programming, Introduction to Biotechnology, and Electronic Music Composition.
We are especially excited to apply for a Lampin Grant, knowing that Lampin employees engage daily with advanced technology to create products that solve problems for corporations and consumers. STEM Library of Things intends to spark the curiosity, interest, and passion needed for the next generation of inspired innovators and manufacturers. The most important outcomes from this grant include providing students with meaningful opportunities to apply STEM concepts beyond the classroom, inspiring opportunities to explore the capacity of advanced technology, and providing students the chance to practice the skills needed for success in careers through the application of STEM resources.
Increasing Student Mindfulness Using Creative Experiential SEL, Brookside Elementary School
Grant Type: Unibank
Funded: $2,000
Students served: 60
By the close of the grant period, eighty-five percent or more of students participating in the Increasing Student Mindfulness Using Creative Experiential SEL Yoga Practice will be able to identify three or more benefits of mindfulness practice to their physical and social-emotional wellness as measured by a post-activity assessment.
By the close of the grant period, eighty-five percent or more of students participating in the Increasing Student Mindfulness Using Creative Experiential SEL Yoga Practice will demonstrate using one or more mindfulness practice tools during a stressful event as measured by self-reporting to a teacher.
The Milford Public Schools is interested in exploring and implementing alternative, engaging instructional approaches that teach students lifelong wellness skills to improve students' academic and social learning outcomes in the early school setting.
Student involvement with the project experience will be inclusive throughout the grant period. It will include pre-teaching to prepare for mindfulness and yoga activity. Students will participate in mindfulness activities throughout the year and complete a post-activity assessment to measure their ability to identify three or more benefits of mindfulness practice to their physical and social-emotional wellness as measured by a post-activity assessment. They will also demonstrate using one or more mindfulness practice tools during a stressful event as measured by self-reporting to a teacher.
Educators/students will develop a Google Slide presentation for the BVEF Foundation to showcase the Increasing Student Mindfulness Using Creative Experiential SEL Yoga Practice project.
Milford Makerspace STEAM extension 1, Milford High School
Grant Type: Lampin & BVEF
Funded: $1998
Students served: 26
Students will be able to practice and engage with skilled trades not traditionally engaged with in comprehensive high schools, for example furniture making and repair and jewelry making. Through these students will independently explore and with light guidance practice:
Upholstering
Joining
Carving
Inlaying
Surface finishing
Wax mold making
Wire working/wrapping
Silver and brownsmithing
Millbury's Cultural Celebration
Grant Type: Unibank
Funded: $1,000
Students served: 800+
Students will learn about /explore, celebrate and embrace all cultures
All students and families are invited to have a table to share their culture - All students and families in the district are invited to come see the performers and share in the presentations.
eTextiles Project
Grant Type: Unibank
Funded: $1,192.35
Students served: 550
I believe that one of the foundations of Computer Science is the design, drafting/construction and successful completion of an idea . Oftentimes in class, it is abstract - like writing computer code to make an app work or writing the java script to make something display on the screen. But it also can be physical like a circuit board with lights. In NMS STEM class the students complete lessons on basic electronic components and circuitry. Students design and create a simple circuit on paper (Cardboard Square) using a cell battery, copper tape, and LED lights. The extension project I am suggesting introduces electronic sewing and stitching a wearable parallel circuit that includes a switch. By the end of the lesson students will be able to use conductive thread to sew electronic components, design and create a working parallel circuit with three lights, demonstrate how a switch works to turn electricity flow on and off, and use an iterative design process.
Exploring Marine Biology at New England Aquarium
Grant Type: BVCC
Funded: $500
Students served: 48
New England Aquarium, Boston MA: students will learn about various careers within the field of marine biology, biological research and veterinary/animal care.
Students in the AP Biology and Zoology courses, as well as in the Science Club, will be exposed to various opportunities in the fields of marine biology. Students will attend multiple exhibits at the aquarium and meet with the employees of the aquarium to hear about the daily life and care of the animals and various research projects occurring at the aquarium. We will also view the 3D IMAX movie that highlights current oceanographic research to learn how the animals survive in their natural habitats.
Preschool Social Emotional Learning Core Materials
Grant Type: Osterman
Funded: $1000
Students served: 120
Students will identify emotions, use emotion vocabulary, demonstrate empathy, manage emotions appropriately, think of others, practice inclusion, and demonstrate good friendship and play skills.
Integrating Literature and STEM in Preschool
Grant Type: Osterman
Funded: $1658.82
Students served: 80-120
According to the Revised Guidelines for Preschool and Kindergarten Learning Experiences, "Pre-K children focus on experiencing and making observations of the world around them. They are beginning to learn about their own environment as they observe plants and animals, the moon and the sun, and the daily weather. They experience their world through their senses and body parts and begin to recognize that animals also use their senses and body parts to meet their basic needs. They investigate pitch and volume, shadow and light, liquids and solids, and how things move. They sort materials by simple observable properties such as texture and color. They share their understanding of these concepts through discussion as they develop their language and quantitative skills. Pre-K children build awareness of the wide variety of natural phenomena and processes in the world around them."
The preschool common area/messy space in our new school building provides an excellent space for preschoolers to invesigate, build and experience problem solving. What the area lacks are the materials/kits that engage the students in STEM activities. Our language based preschool program would like our students to experience science hands on as well as make connections to familiar stories and the world around them.
Activities include the following stories and STEM problem solving activities to accompany the story: The Three Billy Goats Gruff, Rapunzel, Gingerbread Man, The Three Bears, The Three Little Pigs, and numerous nursery rhymes. Other STEM problem solving activities include: Building Brick STEM Challenge, Bridge Building Engineering, House Building Engineering, Engineer-A-Coaster Activity, Survive the Quake Engineering and Create-A-Chain Reaction. Students will also learn about magnets and motion.
The preschool students will have opportunities to listen to fairy tales and nursery rhymes as the inroduction to the lesson. The students will be presented with a STEM challenge that relates to the story. Students will be supported by classroom teachers and instructional assistants to work cooperatively in the common area/ messy space to work cooperatively with their partners to find a solution to the challenging situation that the story provides.
Students will be able to generate ideas, test their solutions and make modifications. They can view and assess the solutions of others.
Yoga Mats for Outdoor Classroom
Grant Type: UniBank
Funded: $500 Students served: 25
Students should be able to better understand the positive effects of being in nature has on their budding brains and their physical and mental well being. Students should be able to have identified skills (preferred postures, breathing, how to set up outdoor work) that they will be able to practice in and outside school in the coming years. There is a growing body of research on learning in nature. Prior studies have found that teaching outdoors increases students’ interest in a subject and intrinsic motivation to learn, and may help them to retain information longer than regular indoor classes. In addition, kids like learning outside..and they report liking their school more when lessons are held outdoors. (An Outdoor Classroom) reduces stress, restores depleted attention, and improves immune function in children, much like it does in adults. And kids who are healthier, calmer, and less depleted may simply learn better. - Jill Suttie, Psy.D
Robotics at Taft Early Learning CenterDeep Space Sparkle Membership, Whitin Intermediate School
Grant Type: Unibank
Funded: $1830
Students served: 570
I would like to introduce my youngest students in Kindergarten through second grade with coding and robotics. The students throughout the Uxbridge District use VEX kits for robotics. I want to build a strong background and knowledge, so by the time I teach them in third grade, they're ready to move on to the next step of the VEX GO kits in middle school. My classroom is design to have hands on lessons by providing these VEX 123 kits, I will be able to provide engaging and hands on experience for students.
