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Venture Grant Overview
The Foundation approved 15 grants totaling $70,247.19 for the 2019-20 school year! | ||||||
"Math Morning Tubs" The five teachers of grades K-1 will assemble tubs of math manipulatives for children to explore math concepts, then will rotate the tubs to the other classrooms. - Akron Elementary
"Courtyard Creativity" A collaboration with Millersville University will guide students in grade 4 to design an interactive courtyard for Akron Elementary. - Akron Elementary
"C-Pens" C-Pens are designed to scan any text and read the words or sentences out loud. This enables students with literacy delays, dyslexia, or ESL issues to access text when there is no aide available to help them read directions. - Fulton Elementary
"Guided Reading made Fun" Students will use reading materials with manipulatives to increase skills with engaging activities. - Highland Elementary
"Imagine Learning for English Learners" Imagine Learning is language and literacy software program that accelerates English learning. It focuses on oral language, academic vocabulary, phonics, fluency, grammar, and comprehension. The program identifies each student’s strengths and weaknesses and prescribes personalized sets of learning activities. It also monitors the students with checkpoints and adjusts instruction when necessary. - District Wide
"STEAM Days" Elementary Science Explorers, the Maryland Science Center, Zoo America, and the Whitaker Center will present K-4 inquiry-based assemblies on each of the five district half-days, and an inquiry-based “field trip” experience for the focus grade level that day while classroom teachers provide STEAM activities for the other grade levels. - Elementary District Wide
"EIMS Bluebird Trail" This project was begun in 2009 using personal funds. The grant would provide for the building or refurbishment of blue bird nesting boxes. Data is collected and reported to the Pennsylvania Bluebird Society. - Ephrata Intermediate School
"Communicating in a Competitive Market" Teams of students design a product and go before a panel of “investors” to pitch their product. The winning team becomes the management of the classroom business and the other students are hired into positions at different levels. The product is produced and marketed with the profits benefiting a charity. - Ephrata High School
"Glowforge for Science Curriculum STEM Enhancement" A Glowforge laser cutter will help students design and build models for multiple physics, chemistry, and science fair projects. - Ephrata High School
"Mountaineer School Store" Students in the life skills classes need opportunities to experience real life vocations. A school store would serve as a training facility to give students an understanding of vocational positions including, but not limited to retail, maintenance, secretarial, and customer service as well as provide more opportunities to interact positively with the students in general education classes. - Ephrata High School
"STEAM Club at EIS" The current STEAM club seeks to move beyond paper towel tubes and pipe cleaners to gain hands-on experiences with robotics, snap circuits and other more technologically advanced materials. - Ephrata Intermediate School
"Virtual Reality at EHS" The purchase of 10 virtual reality headsets and related equipment provides for experiences ranging from touring a college campus to observing a surgical procedure in an operating room without having to arrange for an actual field trip. - Ephrata High School
"E-Commerce Project" In the original project students researched boxes of Amazon returns being liquidated and picked, purchased, “unboxed” and chose items to sell on eBay with the goal of making a profit. Although they succeeded in making a profit, more importantly were the lessons learned about the challenges in real life e-commerce of selling, fees that cut into profits, and shipping costs. - Ephrata High School
"Link Crew" Link Crew is a nationally recognized high school transition program. Through this program freshmen are welcomed and made to feel comfortable throughout their first year of high school and beyond. Members of the junior and senior classes are trained to serve as mentors who guide freshmen through the transition from middle school to high school. - Ephrata High School
"Expressive Art Equals Social Learning" An art professional with training in a therapeutic setting will conduct monthly one-hour sessions using painting, sculpture, and journaling to promote introspection, stress relief, and engagement in learning. - Ephrata High School
"Courtyard Creativity" A collaboration with Millersville University will guide students in grade 4 to design an interactive courtyard for Akron Elementary. - Akron Elementary
"C-Pens" C-Pens are designed to scan any text and read the words or sentences out loud. This enables students with literacy delays, dyslexia, or ESL issues to access text when there is no aide available to help them read directions. - Fulton Elementary
"Guided Reading made Fun" Students will use reading materials with manipulatives to increase skills with engaging activities. - Highland Elementary
"Imagine Learning for English Learners" Imagine Learning is language and literacy software program that accelerates English learning. It focuses on oral language, academic vocabulary, phonics, fluency, grammar, and comprehension. The program identifies each student’s strengths and weaknesses and prescribes personalized sets of learning activities. It also monitors the students with checkpoints and adjusts instruction when necessary. - District Wide
"STEAM Days" Elementary Science Explorers, the Maryland Science Center, Zoo America, and the Whitaker Center will present K-4 inquiry-based assemblies on each of the five district half-days, and an inquiry-based “field trip” experience for the focus grade level that day while classroom teachers provide STEAM activities for the other grade levels. - Elementary District Wide
"EIMS Bluebird Trail" This project was begun in 2009 using personal funds. The grant would provide for the building or refurbishment of blue bird nesting boxes. Data is collected and reported to the Pennsylvania Bluebird Society. - Ephrata Intermediate School
"Communicating in a Competitive Market" Teams of students design a product and go before a panel of “investors” to pitch their product. The winning team becomes the management of the classroom business and the other students are hired into positions at different levels. The product is produced and marketed with the profits benefiting a charity. - Ephrata High School
"Glowforge for Science Curriculum STEM Enhancement" A Glowforge laser cutter will help students design and build models for multiple physics, chemistry, and science fair projects. - Ephrata High School
"Mountaineer School Store" Students in the life skills classes need opportunities to experience real life vocations. A school store would serve as a training facility to give students an understanding of vocational positions including, but not limited to retail, maintenance, secretarial, and customer service as well as provide more opportunities to interact positively with the students in general education classes. - Ephrata High School
"STEAM Club at EIS" The current STEAM club seeks to move beyond paper towel tubes and pipe cleaners to gain hands-on experiences with robotics, snap circuits and other more technologically advanced materials. - Ephrata Intermediate School
"Virtual Reality at EHS" The purchase of 10 virtual reality headsets and related equipment provides for experiences ranging from touring a college campus to observing a surgical procedure in an operating room without having to arrange for an actual field trip. - Ephrata High School
"E-Commerce Project" In the original project students researched boxes of Amazon returns being liquidated and picked, purchased, “unboxed” and chose items to sell on eBay with the goal of making a profit. Although they succeeded in making a profit, more importantly were the lessons learned about the challenges in real life e-commerce of selling, fees that cut into profits, and shipping costs. - Ephrata High School
"Link Crew" Link Crew is a nationally recognized high school transition program. Through this program freshmen are welcomed and made to feel comfortable throughout their first year of high school and beyond. Members of the junior and senior classes are trained to serve as mentors who guide freshmen through the transition from middle school to high school. - Ephrata High School
"Expressive Art Equals Social Learning" An art professional with training in a therapeutic setting will conduct monthly one-hour sessions using painting, sculpture, and journaling to promote introspection, stress relief, and engagement in learning. - Ephrata High School
2018-2019 Approved Venture Grants"STEAM Skills for the 21st Century" - Lancaster Science Factory personnel will present six 1.5 hour programs (one each for grades 1-4 and two for kindergarten (a.m. and p.m. classes) and six half hour whole-school assemblies on science, technology, engineering, arts, and math activities. - Clay Elementary
"Bridging the Gap" – Special Education students will play various board games to allow them to practice social skills such as turn taking and using a variety of language, math, and reading skills. - Highland Elementary "Building Math Concepts" – The purchase of sets of sturdy wooden blocks that show the value of each number by the height of the block. – Highland Elementary and Fulton Elementary "Thinking Outside of the Box with Breakout EDU "- Students literally unlock a box and find out what is inside. The lock combinations and clues are revealed by working collaboratively to solve critical thinking problems. These problems utilize skills the students are learning in class. - Highland Elementary and Akron Elementary “One School, One Author – Sarah Weeks” – Sarah Weeks, American writer of children's books, perhaps best known for the novel, So B, will conduct sessions divided by grade levels showing the creative process from inspiration to a finished book. –District-Wide Elementary "Imagine Learning for English Learners" - Imagine Learning is a language and literacy software program that accelerates English learning. It focuses on oral language, academic vocabulary, phonics, fluency, grammar, and comprehension. – District-Wide "Expressive Art Equals Social Learning" - An art professional with training in a therapeutic setting will conduct monthly one-hour sessions using painting, sculpture, and journaling to promote introspection, stress relief, and engagement in learning. - Ephrata High School "Link Crew - Class of 2022" - Link Crew is a nationally recognized high school transition program. Through this program freshmen are welcomed and made to feel comfortable throughout their first year of high school and beyond. Members of the junior and senior classes are trained to serve as mentors who guide freshmen through the transition from middle school to high school. - Ephrata High School "Temple University/Philadelphia Orchestra and Ephrata Collaboration Project" - The focus of this project is to give students the opportunity to interact and perform for collegiate music faculty at Temple University and to receive quality feedback from highly qualified music educators and performing professionals. – Ephrata High School |
2017-2018 Approved Venture Grants"S.P.A.R.K.S Foundation - Matter Monsters" - The S.P.A.R.K.S. Foundation is a non-profit science education organization which presents a 55 minute hands-on programs called “Monster Matters” on the three states of matter. - District Wide 4th grade classrooms
"Using Improv to Imagine Possibilities and Unleash Creativity" - Terri Mastrobuono teaches improvisation skills to tackle not only creativity blocks, but also to overcome shyness, anxiety and fear. The proposal is to bring Ms. Mastrobuono to the district for a full day or two half day seminars to work with GIEP students across the district. The grant application also includes books on improvisational techniques to extend the learning beyond the seminar. - District Wide gifted classrooms "Bits of STEAM" - Students will utilize littleBits which are color-coded electronic Bits that each have a specific function (motion, lights, sensors, internet connectivity) to create simple to complex circuits. - Akron Elementary "STEAM skills for the 21st century" - Lancaster Science Factory personnel will present six 1.5 hour programs (one each for grades 1-4, and two for Kindergarten (a.m. & p.m.) and six half hour whole school assemblies on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math activities. In addition, the proposal includes materials for follow-up activates to be done by teachers. - Clay Elementary "Thinking Outside of the Box with Breakout EDU "- Students literally unlock a box and find out what’s inside. The lock combinations and clues are revealed by working collaboratively to solve critical thinking problems which involve skills the students are learning in class. - Fulton Elementary "Improving EVERY students writing regardless of his/her disability through the use of adaptive keyboarding and writing tools" - The Clicker 7 program aids students in Supplemental Learning support programs to write more independently using the keyboards and program features such as word banks, word predictors, and a voice reader that helps the student listen to what he/she had written to see if it sounds right or if words need to be changed. - Fulton Elementary "Lyrics 2 Learn" - Lyrics 2 Learn is an online reading comprehension and fluency program in which music is used to engage students with text and help them retain more information due to repetition, rhythm, and rhyme. The program tracks student progress and performance. - Highland Elementary "Reflex Fact Fluency Program" - Purchase of a school-wide site license for all students to have access to a game-based system that helps students of all ability levels develop instant recall of their basic math facts. - Highland Elementary "Imagine Learning for English Learners" - Imagine Learning is language and literacy software program that accelerates English learning. It focuses on oral language, academic vocabulary, phonics, fluency, grammar, and comprehension. The program identifies each student’s strengths and weaknesses and prescribes personalized sets of learning activities. It also monitors the students with checkpoints and adjusts instruction when necessary. - Highland Elementary "Subscription to Reading Eggs/Reading Eggpress for Literacy Development" - Reading Eggs/Eggpress provides students with a access to a literacy application that is individualized and allows them to practice phonics, vocabulary, reading comprehension and fluency both at school and at home. - Highland Elementary "Mount Readmore Books Club" - Often when students reach upper elementary grades, the time spent reading to or with children at home diminishes. The purpose of this book club is to engage students, staff and parents to share in a literature experience with their children or students and discuss topics found in multi-cultural and diverse books. - Ephrata Intermediate School "EIMS Community Garden" - The project provides a hands-on learning experience that connects school to real life. The proposal for planting and maintaining the garden includes lesson plans in multiple subject areas including math, science, communication arts, and physical education. - Ephrata Intermediate School "Digging Deeper" - Teachers will bury artifacts representing Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Harappan, Chinese, Greek, and Roman cultures. Students will uncover the artifacts using the steps an archeologist takes and using archeological tools. Each group will record and chart their data, then will research to determine which civilization their artifacts are from and will present their findings to the class. - Ephrata Middle School "VEX IQ Robots" - Let's CompeteThe purpose of this grant is to extend the original VEX IQ grant to create a robotics area in the new STEM/Science lab for in dependent study projects and hopefully to generate enough interest to create a middle school competition team. - Ephrata Middle School "Let's Animate Concepts" - This grant will fund the expansion of the animation station in the gifted lab where students animate movies about concepts from science, social studies, or other areas. In addition, the purchase and use of KEVA blocks will promote the understanding of counterweights, energy and motion, geometric shapes, building, and design. - Ephrata Middle School "Samba band - Music and Culture of Latin America" - An ethnomusicologist at Millersville University will be invited to collaborate with an Ephrata Music teacher to demonstrate musical styles and instruments from South America. The funding also covers the purchase of some instruments for students to try. - Ephrata Middle/High School "Expressive Art Equals Social Learning" - An art professional with training in a therapeutic setting will conduct monthly one hour sessions using painting, sculpture, and journaling to promote introspection, stress relief, and engagement in learning. - Ephrata High School "Action 360 for EHS video production" - The proposal is to purchase camera equipment for students to be able to produce 360° /virtual reality videos, including behind the scenes of Ephrata AM daily show, special segments of Ephrata AM, pep rallies, sporting events, guest speakers, and inductions. - Ephrata High School "iPads for Blended Learning and Differentiation" - This grant would bring the total number of iPads in the World Language department to 20 which makes access to numerous world language applications accessible to a whole class at one time. - Ephrata High School "On Being a Superhero: Author Visit by A.S. King" - Award winning author and Berks County resident A.S. King has written many young adult books that are popular among EHS students. Topics range from self-esteem, life skills, and bullying. The grant would pay the author’s expenses for either an all school assembly, or for presentations to English classes. - Ephrata High School "Link Crew - Class of 2021" - Link Crew is a nationally recognized high school transition program. Through this program freshmen are welcomed and made to feel comfortable throughout their first year of high school and beyond. Members of the junior and senior classes are trained to serve as mentors who guide freshmen through the transition from middle school to high school. - Ephrata High School |
2016-2017 Approved Venture Grants |
2015-2016 Approved Venture Grants |
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“VEX Robotics Kits & Supplies” – This grant will fund the purchase of robotics materials used in engineering classes.
"VEX IQ Expansion Sets" - The purpose of this project is to provide the gifted learning lab with a VEX IQ station to give students additional learning opportunities to create with the VEX RC robot platform. "Link Crew Program" - Link Crew is a nationally recognized High School Transition Program that welcomes freshmen and makes them feel comfortable throughout their first year of high school and beyond. This program is built on the belief that students can help other students succeed. "Math Matters" - This grant allows students to increase problem solving skills through collaborative math based projects. It provides students with integrated technological learning and teachers the ability to track progress and make decision for student proficiency. "Imagine Learning Computer Program" - This program addresses the needs of ELL students by focusing on basic and academic language, the 5 key components of reading, listening comprehension, grammar and speaking. "Reading Eggs in Kindergarten" - This grant provides students access to a program that allows them to practice (at school and home) phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and fluency. The program promotes positive learning experiences and to build communication with parents and students. "Temple University/Philadelphia Orchestra and Ephrata Collaboration Project" - The focus of this project is to give students the opportunity to interact and perform for collegiate music faculty at Temple University and to receive high quality feedback from highly qualified music educators and performing professionals. "Clutch in the Classroom" - Clutch has started being placed in classrooms and integrated into the academic and social learning. This project addresses the District's mission - all students can learn but some need different methods to reach the same goal. “Quiz Bowl” – This grant will fund registration fees, repair/replacement of buzzers, travel costs, and team shirts. "3D Printer for Science Curriculum STEM Enhancement" - This grant will allow for the purchase of a Makerbot Replicator (5th Generation) 3D Printer. It will enhance the student learning as it will allow students to design and build 3D models for multiple physics, chemistry, biology and science fair projects. "STOP! Let's animate a movie" - This grant will fund a stop animation innovation station in the gifted lab. Students will unleash their creativity using HUE animation studio to tell a story, supplement a concept with visual imagery, or use time-lapse photography. "Keyboards for iPads" - The purpose of this grant is to provide LOGITECH WIRED iPAD Keyboards to enable students proper typing etiquette while using iPads in the classroom. "Designing an Inclusive Classroom" - The purpose of this grant is to provide sensory tools to foster the multiple intelligence's of all students. "One Book One School" - The purpose of this project is to build community in the EIS building through a common text. Students will have the opportunity to interact with their peers and teachers across grade levels, both in person and online through Schoology. "Glowforge Laser Printer" - This grant will fund the purchase of a laser engraver, otherwise known as a laser cutter or laser printer. This machine uses a computer controlled laser to cut and engrave a variety of materials to be used in projects across the Tech Ed curriculum. |
“Author Appearance: Tiffany Schmidt” – This grant will fund writing workshops for students in Grades 7 – 12 by author Tiffany Schmidt. A community presentation to share the importance of reading and writing with students, parents, and the community will also be given.
“Buddy Bench” – This grant will fund the creation and installation of a playground Buddy Bench. “Battle Bots” “Building for the Future” “Coding for Kids” - These THREE grants will provide Lego STEM materials across multiple buildings for students in Grades 2-8. This grant will provide a hands-on approach to robotics, enhance current STEM curriculum, and incorporate the PA Core Standards of English, Language Arts, Literacy, Social Studies, Science, Technology, and Math. “Improving the Writing of Every Student Regardless of Ability” – This grant will provide adaptive keyboarding and writing computer materials for students with special needs. “Trekking the American Safari” – The grant will fund a learning experience for elementary and high school special needs students via a trip to ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park in Hershey. “Read More” – This grant will fund new books to update classrooms’ libraries and to meet students’ preferences. “Building Bridges with Books” – This grant will fund culturally specific books to create a “bridge” between students and the characters and events in the book. “Purple & Gold Gazette Technology” – This grant will fund a designated camera and laptop for students’ use to create the Purple & Gold Gazette. “VEX Robotics Kits & Supplies” – This grant will fund the purchase of robotics materials used in engineering classes. “Moving to the Beat” – This grant will fund the purchase of Polar heart rate monitors, Polar Go Fit software, and an iPad for use in EMS physical education classes. “Quiz Bowl” – This grant will fund registration fees, repair/replacement of buzzers, travel costs, and team shirts. |