2 June, 2015
The Hopkinton Education Foundation recently announced details of the grants the organization will make for 2015-2016. Four grants, totaling $31,565, were awarded to Hopkinton educators across two schools.
“We received 10 grant applications this year with many appealing ideas. We are very excited to fund four grants that we felt best represented our mission of advancing innovation in education,” said Alexis Miller, Grants Committee Chair for the Foundation. “We are excited to be working with all the recipients this year and look forward to seeing how these grants impact the student population this year and beyond.”
The grants made for the 2015-2016 school year are:
‘Integrating the Maker Mindset’: This $3,590 grant to Stephanie Doty, Hopkins’ Technology Integration teacher, will transform the current technology and library curriculum for all 5th graders using self-directed, inquiry based learning through hands-on approaches to problem solving. The lessons will culminate with groups creating a public service announcement video.
‘Enhancing the Digital Art Curriculum through Interactive Experience at the High School’: This $3,775 grant to the Visual Art Subject Matter Leader, Colleen Gianino will provide students with a new way to exhibit, publish, display, critique and experience their digital works of art within a digital gallery in a public space.
‘Maker Magic: Create, Discover & Learn at the HHS MakerSpace’ (EMC Grant for Mathematics & Science): At the forefront of education, through this grant a makerspace will be created. A makerspace is defined as a destination for thinking, learning, doing, creating, producing and sharing; a flexible space that will allow students to take advantage of different learning styles. The makerspace environment will invite student curiosity, foster student driven, student-based learning and encourage collaboration and innovation utilizing a variety of tools housed in a portable storage unit. This $7,000 grant was made to the High School Library Media Specialist, Kirsten Fournier.
‘The Innovation Lab funded by the Hopkinton Education Foundation - Creating Learning Spaces for HHS Students’ (Stephen Gray Innovation Grant): This $17,200 grant is made to the High School Technology Integration Coordinator, Colleen Worrell. Through the grant, an inspiring learning space will serve two main purposes; a formal space where classrooms can be brought in by their teachers and an informal learning common for students taking online or hybrid courses. The hope is to use this classroom design as an incubator for a more innovative and collaborative approach to classroom design through the Hopkinton School system.
About the Hopkinton Education Foundation
The Hopkinton Education Foundation provides funding, ideas and professional development to help Hopkinton educators deliver innovative educational experiences that inspire students to strive for excellence and become lifelong learners. Since its inception in 1992, the Foundation has awarded 300 grants valued at over $1 million. For further information, visit their website, or the Foundation’s Facebook page.
