The Bartlesville Public Schools Foundation (BPSF) just completed its two fall grant cycles, awarding 14 grants to teachers, totalling over $20,000.
The fall grant cycles consisted of Classroom Grants, which fund innovative approaches that stimulate thought or expand an existing curriculum and NOKACS Science Grants, which are funded by the Northern Oklahoma section of the American Chemical Society to engage students in the study of science.
Last week, BPSF’s “Prize Patrol” (consisting of BPSF’s director, high school intern, and several board members) visited five school sites, surprising fall grant recipients and their students in their classrooms and thanking the teachers for their dedication.
Grants awarded covered many areas, including music, science, and art. Darren Love, music teacher at Hoover Elementary, was awarded a grant to provide guitars to his students that will expand their knowledge of music and its effect on our culture. Erin Perry, a second grade teacher at Kane Elementary, received funds to build a garden in her classroom to engage her students in the study of earth science and nutrition. Lyndsey Stuart, a history teacher at Bartlesville High School, received funds to purchase kits to mimic the well-known “escape room” concept for her students, addressing relevant academic content while encouraging communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity. Other grants included virtual reality glasses to bring real world experiences, like viewing the aurora borealis, to students at Jane Phillips Elementary and preparatory materials to improve high school students’ readiness for college and career mathematics.
In addition to the Classroom and Science Grants, BPSF accepts grants from teachers for Professional Growth (funding professional development opportunities) and Experts in Residence (bringing experts to Bartlesville to work with students) year around.
For more information on these grants and other initiatives of BPSF, contact BPSF Executive Director, Blair Ellis at 918-336-8600 ext 3523 or visit the BPSF’s website at bpsfoundation.org