Muncie, IN— Local teachers will receive $3,480 in Robert P. Bell Education Grants from The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. More than 750 students will benefit in this final grant cycle of the academic year.
Awards of up to $450 are available through the Bell Grants program. Funded projects are innovative ideas or programs designed to stimulate learning in students. Delaware County teachers may apply throughout the year over four grant cycles. More than $12,500 was awarded during the 2015-2016 academic year. The deadline for the first round of grants in the 2016-2017 academic year is October 1, 2016. For more information about Bell Grants applications, contact Colton Strawser, Program Officer at cstrawser@cfmdin.org. Information is also available at www.cfmdin.org.
Emylie Anderson, Mitchell Elementary School, was awarded $220 for social-emotional learning (SEL) through the school counseling program with the use of thumballs. These small stuffed balls feature varying directives that encourage students to share in a fun way that blends counseling, education, and play therapy. The game-like activity will make students more apt to participate in important discussions about topics including bullying, resiliency and school success
LeighAnne Canada, Felicia Gray, Lisa Haughn, and Michael McClure, Burris Laboratory School, were awarded $450 for elementary students studying Indiana and Native American History. Approximately 100 students will attend a special overnight camp to take part in instructional activities about Native American Culture. Students will participate in activities related to hunting and gathering, food, pottery, weaving and more.
Becky Clark, Wes-Del High School, was awarded $278 for high school modeling and analysis students to study and create barn quilts. After learning about barn quilts, students will plan and create their own. Students will research the formulas needed to find the areas of various shapes in the design of their barn quilt. They will use their designs to create their barn quilts using at least three colors of paint. Finished projects will be on display in the library and outside the classroom.
Susan Clay, Storer Elementary, was awarded $268 for elementary language arts and social studies students to study the history, purpose, and benefits of the Olympic Games and international competition. Students will read about the Summer Olympics and research a specific event. Students will also be setting individual study and behavioral goals during the unit to progress their own work and study habits. Bronze, silver, and gold medals will be earned for the accomplishment of the behavioral and motivational work goals.
Emily Joseph and Joann Earl, Yorktown Elementary School, were awarded $160 for elementary students to celebrate their year-long study of Indiana History with Pioneer Days. During the week, students will experience weaving, top spinning, tin pinching, dancing and creating small log cabins. They will play pioneer games and taste pioneer-era food. Teachers will host a culminating event by walking to a nearby park to eat lunch, play games and take a nature walk.
Amanda Lewis, Delta High School, was awarded $275 for high school moderate/severe special education students to use the Yogarilla program, a classroom yoga program designed by occupational therapists. The yoga program has proven successful for sensory needs including deep pressure activities and relaxation techniques that keep students more academically focused.
Barbara Miller, Yorktown High School, was awarded $395 for high school English students to read and study dystopic society novels in literature circles. After reading and studying how writers make a dystopic society and its characters, setting and conflicts come to life students will create their own dystopic society, outlining those same elements that they studied. These hands-on learners will also make a 3-D iteration of their dystopic world to present to the class as their culminating project.
Jodie Scales, Wapahani High School, was awarded $289 for high school creative writing students to study character development using individual fingerprints and I AM poetry. The project allows students to examine the character of themselves in the story of their own lives, linking creative writing experiences to understanding their own unique stories. Students will write the story of their life within the contours of their own unique fingerprints for a personalized visual presentation.
Emily Shepherd, Burris Laboratory School, was awarded $360 for AP calculus students to gather data by measuring distances and walking rates over concrete and grass in order determine where they should cut across a vacant lot to reduce travel time. Students will use an equation to determine at what point a pedestrian should cut across a lot to minimize walking time and visit the Ball State University campus to determine if the student-made paths minimize distance or time when used.
Anna Spencer, Southside Middle School, was awarded $447 for middle school mathematics students to participate in geometric impressions mosaic and Platonic Solids projects that allow them the opportunity to work with geometry through their own creations. Students will explore their artistic abilities by allowing their geometric impressions to guide their designs and be inspired by art and architecture through the world. Similarly, students will explore the unique characteristics of Platonic Solids by creating their own large Platonic Solid from colored cardstock, which will reinforce skills in geometry, measurement, and creativity.
Tiffany Turner, Northside Middle School, was awarded $338 for middle school social studies and English students to create informative books on Native American groups in the United States and Canada. Students will do research and take a fact-finding field trip to the Eiteljorg Museum. They will use their research to write and illustrate informative books geared toward a younger audience. Elementary classrooms, community centers, and Little Free Libraries will receive the completed books.
