Two Harper Creek teachers were awarded mini-grants for the 2021-22 school year from the Guido A. and Elizabeth Binda Foundation and coordinated by the Calhoun Intermediate School District.
Sonoma Elementary STEM teacher Julie Mathis and Middle School STEAM teacher Erica Jenkins each received $1,000 grants to fund projects at their schools.
Mathis has been piloting a Science STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) special during the current school year. Her project titled, All Hands on STEM, served all 379 students in grades K-4 at Sonoma Elementary.
With these funds, science and building materials including Keva planks, LEGO blocks, Picasso Tiles, magnifying glasses, magnetic wands, and more were purchased to enrich the science and building experiences for Elementary students at Sonoma.
Jenkins has been teaching and developing a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) elective at the middle school for the last four years. Her project titled, We Needle Sewing Machines, served 10 classes (289 students) in grades 5-8 who take the STEAM elective at the middle school.
With these funds, three computerized Brother sewing machines and cutting tools, mats, irons, needles and more were purchased to provide STEAM students with the means to sew projects that they design. These supplies are available for STEAM students to use in their classroom makerspace to work on student-driven projects.
Both teachers and Harper Creek Community Schools are grateful for the financial support they received from the Guido A. and Elizabeth Binda Foundation and the Calhoun Intermediate School District.
