Sue Loughlin
The Tribune-Star
TERRE HAUTE —
In Jeremy Johnson’s sixth-grade science class at Woodrow Wilson Middle School, students are going to make miniature hot-air balloons to learn some scientific principles.
One of the concepts he must teach is that hot air rises. “Instead of just reading about it or watching a video about it, we’re going to get hands-on,” he said.
His project, called “Up, Up and Away,” is one of 89 proposals to receive mini-grant funding from the Vigo County Education Foundation on Wednesday during a presentation at Sarah Scott Middle School. The grants went to more than 120 teachers.
The awards totaled $51,725 and are requested by teachers throughout the school corporation to provide enhanced learning opportunities for students.
“All of these mini-grants are made for $750 or less, and it is amazing to see what great teachers are able to accomplish with that amount of money,” said Jenny Thomas, Education Foundation executive director.
Johnson will use his grant money to purchase materials for the hot-air balloon project, which also will teach students about jet streams and wind. Students will make personalized hot-air balloons in the classroom. “We’ll also create a larger-than-life hot air balloon that we’re going to take outside,” he said.
Tamara Sue Beck, a teacher at Sarah Scott Middle School, received a grant for a project called Traveling Polygons. She intends to purchase handheld GPS units for a math-class geocaching unit. “I think the kids will enjoy it,” she said. “There is tons of math I can do with it.”
Jan Barbee, a science teacher at Terre Haute South Vigo, will use her grant for a project called “V is for Victory [Gardens].” Funds will be used to purchase gardening supplies that will be used by students in her botany classes.
Students will learn how to garden in an urban setting using raised beds and hanging gardens, and part of the produce grown will be given to organizations that feed those in need.
Students also will learn about the history of Victory Gardens, in which people were encouraged during World War II to have gardens and to grow their own produce to help the war effort.
At Dixie Bee Elementary, teachers Tim Moss, Kathy Sabaini and Pam Anshutz received a grant for a second-grade GT class to create and perform a musical production. The project is called “TEAM: Together Everyone Achieves More.”
The Vigo County Education Foundation was established in 1984.
“We expect that, by the end of the 2010-11 school year, we will have given more than $950,000 to schools and programs within the school district [since 1984],” Thomas said. “None of the work that we are able to do would be possible without the support of businesses and individuals throughout our community, and we are most grateful for that support.”
Sue Loughlin can be reached at (812) 231-4235 or sue.loughlin@tribstar.com.
