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LASF grant program allows teachers to innovate

By Barbara Millman Cole
CORRESPONDENT

Teachers in the Lafayette and Acalanes school districts can try out new ideas, methods and classroom materials with the Teacher Allocation Grant Program administered by the Lafayette Arts and Science Foundation.

“We do fund pilot programs,” said Scott Sommer, allocations committee co-chair.  “If successful, those programs may be incorporated by other teachers into the regular curriculum.  Our mission is to provide the opportunity for innovation.”

Established in 1993, the yearly allocations have varied in the previous two years.  The amount allocated was $25,000.  This year, because of the excellence of the requests, the LASF board approved a total of $31,948.

LASF receives 15 to 20 proposals per year.  “We were particularly pleased this year because we had strong applications from every school site,” said Myrna Kimmelman, LASF Program Manager.

Conditions for the acceptance of proposals are: that the proposal enhance the educational experience of the students; align with the curriculum goals and benchmarks of the Lafayette and Acalanes districts; and they utilize LASF funds efficiently.

Though the suggested project may be intended for use in a single classroom, it must have the potential to touch a large segment of the student population.

A proposal may also adapt and implement high-quality instructional materials designed to help students and teachers meet or exceed district curriculum goals.

 An example is the 2002 Microrouter Project submitted by Stanley woodshop teacher Chris Stevens that allowed students to use computer-aided, three-dimensional, design to create and execute intricate carvings in wood and other materials.  Students were able to utilize math and computer skills while creating innovative projects and useful items.

Previous allocation grant recipients include Acalanes teacher Ramsey Thomas and staff for a project that allowed the purchase of videotapes and materials to expand the ninth grade history curriculum and the study of China, India, Latin America and Islam.

 Stanley teacher Mike Merrick received a grant for his project that created a mini-lab to document robotic temperature testing and other science projects.

Another grant went to Springhill teachers Kori Arens and Sue Anne Arens for a project to encourage students to write, improve their organizational and general writing skills and publish their works.

The LASF’s Allocations Committee is comprised of one parent volunteer from each school site, the LASF’s Curriculum Chair, Larry Margerum, and Committee Co-Chairs Sommer and Chris McCann.

 The school site reps visit each school at the beginning of the year to inform teachers of the grants and stir up interest.

“It’s a fun process,” Sommer said.  “We meet a lot of really enthusiastic teachers, and the ongoing evaluation component has been valuable.  There have been some real homeruns over the years.  On the whole, the quality of programs proposed has been excellent.”

Grants for the 2005/06 school year were awarded May 18th and included 13 mini-grants (under $1,000) and six larger grants (above $1,000). They include:

• Stanley science teachers Alice Cyr, Jim Changaris and Kris Rasmussen for a Simple Machines Lab;
• Springhill teacher Laura Spain for Math Games;
• Burton Valley teacher Ellen Winnick’s folk songs program;
• Acalanes teacher Susan Lane’s “Get Digital,” a multimedia program that incorporates computer technology with digital photography;
• Stanley math teacher Bill Ratto’s Internet-based math assistance program;
• Burton Valley science teacher Mallory Pierce’s proposal for an on-site director for the school's nature area.

Spring 2005 Reprinted with permission. Visit the Contra Costa Times on the web at www.contracostatimes.com.

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