The Norris Foundation awarded almost $3,000 in classroom innovation grants to Norris teachers at its October meeting. The grants are part of the SEED grant program, which stands for Supporting Excellence in Education through Donations. The Norris Foundation solicits donations to provide funding for projects that teachers feel will enhance their ability to help students learn. Money may be used to expand or extend an existing program/project or create a new program/project. Grant selection will be based on but not limited to: an innovative approach that reflects best instructinoal practices, and funding something otherwise not possible within district budget.

Applications are reviewed by building principals and then submitted to the Superintendent to bring before the Foundation Board for consideration.

The recent winners and their projects are:

Natasha Gault, MS Science teacher: For UBTECH robotics integration in science, emphasizing STEM education integration.

Jennifer Hutzler, MS Art teacher: For a 3-D printer to integrate technology and design applications in middle level art classes.

Dr. Kristyn Jones and Colin Kubik, HS Agriculture: For "putting more science in Agriscience" to acquire probes for agriscience that are Chromebook compatible for science applications.

Tristan Mitchell, Intermediate School Technology Teacher: For Google Virtual Reality units that will be used by Norris Intermediate 5th Graders to take 360° pictures of the Norris' campus with the android phones using the Google Streetview application. Together, they will compile these photos, update what the Norris' campus looks like, and post this virtual tour they have created to the web. 

Peggy Onwiler, Kindergarten Teacher: For ESGI online assessments creator for customized early childhood assessment development.

Congratulations to these outstanding teachers and thank you to the Norris Foundation for supporting innovative instructional practices to benefit student learning!