Grant Recipients - Dan Kurzen and Matthew Slauson // In today’s STEM-driven society preparing our students to use 21st century sensors and interfaces for precise, real-time data collection is imperative. Doing so will allow students to collect data, often at sample rates of thousands per second, and watch the data be graphed in real-time on a computer that is designed to work hand-in-hand with the sensors and interfaces. Such accuracy allows students to obtain more precise experimental results and do so quicker, which gives them more time to focus on data analysis and drawing conclusions. This grant will provide our high school physics and technology classrooms with Vernier sensors, interfaces, and software.

Grant Recipients - Matthew Slauson, Scott Stagnitta & Rob Tuttle // Wikipedia describes 3D printing as a “process of making a three-dimensional solid object of virtually any shape from a digital model. 3D printing is achieved using an additive process, where successive layers of material are laid down in different shapes.” This process is used in many fields, from manufacturing to architecture. Providing our students with early exposure to this technology will give them an understanding of real-world applications and give them a significant advantage with college readiness. This grant will fund the purchase of a Stratasys uPrint SE printer.

Grant Recipients - Seth Benjamin and Scott Stagnitta // For the last 6 years, Skaneateles middle school students have experienced and benefited from a unique learning unit involving robotics and computer programming. The program, originally funded by a grant from the Allyn Foundation and then two additional grants from SEF, has been wildly successful and popular with students. Interestingly, the original Lego NXT Kits purchased 6 years ago have actually become less challenging for 8th graders over the years. In fact, the authors of this grant recommend that the Lego NXT Kits be shifted to the 5th grade, introducing students to robotics and computer programming at an even earlier age. Chromebooks were purchased to provide classroom portability and support the NXT software. Subsequently, this grant also provided funding for new Lego EV3 Robotics kits to be used in the 8th grade. This grant will fund curriculum development hours for both programs.

Grant Recipients - Mary Arnott and Brian Cohen // Educators are realizing that for students to develop a real passion for STEM-related studies and careers, their interest must be sparked at a very early age. Recently, Waterman School created a STEM laboratory to provide an opportunity for students to explore and learn STEM-related concepts. This grant funded additional resources to expand the laboratory, specifically adding Engineering is Elementary units, created by the Museum of Science in Boston.

Grant Recipient - Monique Ryan // Fourth grade is a transitional year for science education. Students take the comprehensive New York State Science exam, covering what they have learned over their school careers. This is also the year when science becomes more of a focal point in their curriculum. The Museum of Science and Technology (MOST) Traveling Science Show uses interactive demonstrations and a live animal to teach important environmental science concepts and promote conservation. This grant provided pilot funding for two performances of Interconnected: Energy, Life, and Water.

Grant Recipients - Paul Blair and Judy Pastel // Increasingly, the communication of ideas and subjects is moving from the page to the computer. Teachers are assigning video projects in their classrooms, professors are rewarding students for their effective use of video and employers are expecting employees to successfully communicate ideas, across the globe, using technology. Project Zooming In, Zooming Ahead expands opportunities for students to learn video production and has the potential to reach into and enhance every academic area; from science and journalism to art and social studies. Unique opportunities will be provided for students to creatively use video in classroom projects and programs. Another key element is that it levels the playing field for all students in the district, by giving them access to powerful tools at school, including dynamic and expert instruction. Now, regardless of what media equipment you might have access to at home, all students can create, excel and succeed. Watch a student-created documentary on this grant for more details. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfgsvofy_X0

Grant Recipient - William Pingel // Spectrophotometry, a branch of science where various colors of light are used to assist with chemical analysis, is a routine part of the study of chemistry and biology at the undergraduate and graduate level, and is introduced to students at the high school level. The Spec 20 model has been used since the 1950’s. Today, updated digital electronics in the Spec 200 provides for improved efficiency and measurement capability. This grant provided funding for the purchase of one Spec 200, providing expanded laboratory opportunities and exposure to lab methodologies likely to be found in college and the workplace.

Grant Recipient - Elizabeth Chalanick // Graphing calculators play a major role in all math courses offered at the secondary level and mastery is required for state Regents exams. This grant purchased TI Smartview Emulator Software to be used in conjunction with Smart Boards for all math classrooms. This software allows teachers to demonstrate interactively how to perform calculations, providing for more visual learning and the ability to show key stroke history.

Grant Recipient - Rick Garrett // Benefits all students in 10th Grade Honors Bio, all Ecology Classes and the Environmental Club students. The mission of this project is to provide an opportunity to learn hands-on plant sciences. This grant provided funding to update the greenhouse and expand the curriculum to include units on plant physiology, growth, germination and development. Specifically, experiments will include: • Biomass to energy conversion • Water use efficiency • Effects of environmental pollution on seed germination • Soil additives and Composting • Macronutrient efficiencies • Organic fertilizer studies • Wavelength use • Monocot vs dicot development • Plant growth hormone // Another project of interest will be experimentation on milfoil. This new unit of study will test the effectiveness of milfoil as a soil additive on a variety of plant types and in combination with other additives to determine best way to effectively utilize this otherwise nuisance invasive species.

Grant Recipient -Rob Tuttle // Beginning with the 2011-2012 school year, all eighth grade students are required to take a new course, Information 8, as part of the NYSED mandated curriculum. This course is designed to explore the world of information and computer technology and prepare the student to be “technology literate” by graduation. This grant funded equipment and software to teach basic video editing skills. In addition, Seth Benjamin’s 6th grade social studies units will touch on the basics of video editing using this equipment.

Grant Recipient - Scott Stagnitta // Benefits all students in 8th grade. The Lego Mindstorms program is utilized in the 8th grade technology course, to teach science, technology, engineering and math skills (STEM). This project was originally funded by the Allyn Foundation (2007) and expanded by the Skaneateles Education Foundation (2010). This grant will provide funding for additional equipment and sensors to provide expanded opportunities for hands-on instruction of STEM skills.

Grant Recipient - Keith Lamphere // Often students in pre-algebra have difficulty conceptualizing and visualizing geometric solids. While students must learn algebra concepts for testing purposes, often they do not understand the concepts. These polydron manipulatives aid in spatial visualization and make abstract concepts more concrete and have been recommended by the National Council of Math Teachers (NCTM). The manipulatives come with curriculum aids and worksheets for students. Lamphere suggests that these manipulatives will help balance “teaching to the test versus teaching for understanding.” This grant purchased one classroom set for each 7th-grade algebra teacher.