About LASF: Grant Program

Fall 1997 Grant Awards

Sixteen applications were received by October 30, 1997, totaling $75,255.45. The applications were very compelling and of the highest quality. The choice was, as always, a difficult process. The differences in ranking were often a matter of a very few points. The Allocation Committee is pleased to present the following recommendations for funding:

1. Stanley Science Wizard's Lab - $1,547.0

Teacher: Dixie Mohan & 8th grade 5th period Science Class

This is a student driven project under the supervision of Ms. Mohan. Their goal will be to develop a portable Wizard's Lab explaining the principles of physics, users would interact with these exhibits. The vision of this project is based on the Lawrence Hall of Science Wizard's Lab which has been discontinued. This portable Lab could be used for demonstrations and teaching 6th - 8th grade science classes. The Lab could be used in LASF Science curriculum at all levels, at science fairs, and in a "rainy day" lab at Stanley. Mr. Stevens, the Stanley Shop teacher, will voluntarily help with wood construction in the wood shop before school.

2. Junior Great Books: 3rd grade Pilot Program - $1,562.10

Reading Specialist : Jane Bloomstrand - Burton Valley

The program teaches students to read, analyze and critically write about the "whole" piece of literature not just excerpts. The grant would provide student workbooks, and supplies for 3 sets for (4) 3rd grade teachers at (BVE) that have had training in Junior Great Books. This was a Pilot grant last year, at all 3rd grade District elementary schools. All the schools participated in this pilot grant except Burton Valley . The teachers of (BVE) were very interested in participating in this pilot grant but were in a flux over classroom reduction changes.

3. Chemistry Lab Series: Crystal Growth - $2117.00

Chemistry Department : Laurie Guthrie - Acalances The Crystal Labs (10th - 12th grades): a series of experiments spanning two weeks (a hands-on activity )

The growth of a crystal by each student provides a common theme for a series of labs, by reinforcing terms and learning to relate several concepts regarding solutions and solubility. The inclusion of the crystal unit will expand the number of labs performed by both chemistry and geology students, although they focus on different aspects of crystal growth, this unit will allow students to learn how the subjects interconnect. This grant would purchase supplies and equipment for the students.

***Acalanes district will pay for supplies costs for next year.

4. "Los Locos" - Bilingual theatrical production - Pilot - $1,050.00

Spanish Department: Deborah Maedke - Acalanes

Los Locos is a bilingual theatrical production to enhance and support the teaching of Hispanic culture within the Spanish classes. This presentation will be aimed at levels 2-5. The intention is to contact "Los Locos" to come to the Acalanes campus during the Spring of 98. The performance can be geared toward any number of themes and Spanish-speaking level of the audience. All Spanish classes will be invited to attend the performance. The grant costs - materials to prepare the students for the performance & production cost.

5. Social Studies Technology Projects -$5,400.00

Social Studies Department: Janene Scovel-Acalanes Teaching of social studies using technology - (Hyperstudio)

Students use Hyperstudio to create a project that answers the question. They will use the video camera, laser disc, CD ROM and various software for their project. For projects to be successful, no more than 4 students work in a group. Currently the classroom has 6 computers with a classroom size of 30-31 students. This means that only 24 students can be working on projects at one time. The grant request is to purchase 3 more Macintosh computers.

6. Social Studies Technology Software -$890.00

Social Studies Department: Diane Schumacher - Acalanes Supplemental sofware for use in the computer lab at Acalanes, pertaining to social studies curriculum

For economics and government, the SimCity 2000 program simulates the operation of local government. Students will work in pairs 5 packs of 5 are needed. Acalances currently does not have software for United States history, the Smithsonian's American is an excellent CD-ROM which contains over 200 years of American History. Students again will work in pairs in the Lab the request is for 18 CD-ROM's. The grade levels effective 9th, 11th and 12th.

7. Math Department Technology Upgrade - $575.00

Math Department: Rich Klier - Acalanes Request for a TI-86 Viewscreen and Calculator-Based Laboratory System

Development in technology have led to stressing slope fields when differential equations are taught in Calculus BC. The TI- 86 graphing calculator has the capability of showing these sloping fields. The Calculator-Based Lab System can be used in conjunction with the graphing calculators to record the results of experiments such as dropping a ball to measure the height of the rebound of a ball on successive bounces or the speed at which the object is moving. The TI-86 Viewscreen will be used on a regular basis in class, while the Calculator- Based Lab System will be to teach specific ideas.

8. More Than Meets the Eye - $11,820.00

Science teachers: Susan Collins & Janice Winters - Stanley

Currently there are eight teachers instructing life science classes at Stanley in which 800 sixth and seventh grade students are impacted by this program. Presently Stanley has 30 functioning microscopes, 20 light and 10 mirror microscopes. The sixth grade curriculum includes a one month life unit which is augmented with a three day cell unit provided by LASF. The seventh grade curriculum is primarily life science with a heavy emphasis on cell structure and function. The request is for 30 Swift Middle/High School Microscopes and (1) Flex Camera. The flex-cam in the class instruction will provide an opportunity for students to view exotic specimens not available for individual viewing.

9. Team work through Imagination, Communication - $6,400.00 and Innovation (CAD/CAM milling machine)

Tech Ed Department: Ron Dygert - Acalanes

This proposal was student driven by the AutoCad students and the Industrial Tech Ed Advisory Committee for architecture and engineering, under the supervision of the Mr. Dygert. This proposal would create teams of four students to work together to develop, design, produce, analyze, and market a product using the CAD/CAM milling machine . This machine enables the students to take the drawings they have created with the AutoCad and produce a product.

10. Early Literacy Program - Early Science - Pilot Program $5,446.05

Reading Specialist: Jeannine Pitney- Springhill

The Springhill grade 1-3 teachers plan to support and extend early literacy development by building classroom resources of content rich nonfiction science texts. The Ranger Rick Classroom Library for grades 2-3 and the Early Science Literacy Library for grade 1.

Total Amount Recommended: $36,807.15