The Harper Creek Middle School STEAM classes and teacher, Ms. Erica Jenkins, were awarded a $1000 mini-grant for the 2020/2021 school year for the project entitled: STEAM 2 Go. Funding was provided by the Guido A. and Elizabeth H. Binda Foundation and coordinated by the Calhoun ISD. This project served 91 students in grades 6-8 who chose to learn 100% virtually this year and have STEAM as their only elective.
With these funds, reusable micro:bits (codable mini-computers) were purchased to allow students to code microprocessors to power inventions they create. This allowed every student in each class to use a micro:bit at home.
The purchase of 70 computer mice allowed all students to have access to a mouse when digitally designing using TinkerCAD and Minecraft: Education Edition. A computer mouse is much easier for students to control and is less frustrating than using the touchpad on school-issued Chromebooks.
Mini solar panels, motors, electrical tape, LED bulbs, and batteries were also sent home and gave students the opportunity to tinker and engineer model houses, vehicles, robots and other inventions at their homes. The 3D printing filament was also purchased to 3D print student-designed parts for their engineered creations.
This mini-grant helped provide Harper Creek Middle School STEAM students with engaging, hands-on learning opportunities and innovative learning and problem-solving during a crazy time.
Two Harper Creek Middle School teachers were awarded mini-grants for the 2020-2021 school year from the Guido A. and Elizabeth Binda Foundation and coordinated by the Calhoun Intermediate School District. STEAM teacher, Ms. Erica Jenkins, and Band Director, Jared Cavis, each received $1,000 grants to fund projects in their classrooms.
Ms. Jenkins’ project was entitled STEAM 2 GO! This project served 91 students in grades 6-8 who chose to learn 100% virtually this year and have STEAM as their only elective.
With these funds, reusable micro:bits (codable mini-computers) were purchased to allow students to code microprocessors to power inventions they create. This allowed every student in each class to use a micro:bit at home.
The purchase of 70 computer mice allowed all students to have access to a mouse when digitally designing using TinkerCAD and Minecraft: Education Edition. A computer mouse is much easier for students to control and is less frustrating than using the touchpad on school-issued Chromebooks.
Mini solar panels, motors, electrical tape, LED bulbs, and batteries were also sent home and gave students the opportunity to tinker and engineer model houses, vehicles, robots, and other inventions at their homes. The 3D printing filament was also purchased to 3D print student-designed parts for their engineered creations.
This mini-grant helped provide Harper Creek Middle School STEAM students with engaging, hands-on learning opportunities and innovative learning and problem-solving during a crazy time.
Mr. Jared Cavis, middle school band director, used his grant money to purchase Flex-Music to use with his students. During the summer of the pandemic, several band and choir composers came to the realization that many music classes would be smaller due to students being enrolled in virtual school, hybrid options, and not meeting as a full class. This group of composers formed The Creative Repertoire Initiative. They took many of their already written works and reimaged them so that they could successfully be performed by as few as three to four students, yet the students were still performing regular concert pieces and songs. They also composed new works that fit this medium of flexible music. The students are able to perform in class like normal even though we meet less frequently and in much smaller numbers.
Mr. Cavis, Ms. Jenkins, and Harper Creek Community Schools are grateful for the financial support they received from The Guido A. and Elizabeth Binda Foundation and the Calhoun Counting Intermediate School District so they can continue to Educate, Empower, and Equip their students in new and innovative ways.