MARSHFIELD – Expanding C-STEM programming to all 8th graders, enhancing an outdoor classroom, and expanding an innovative writing program to all of the town’s elementary schools are among the 16 educational grants totaling $105,990 being awarded this week to Marshfield Public Schools by the Marshfield Education Foundation (MEF) for the 2016-2017 school year. This year’s grant selection process was the most competitive to date; MEF received a total of 28 grant requests totaling $402,530, the largest total requests in MEF’s history as a foundation.
"We were impressed with the quality of the grants and faced difficult decisions in choosing this year’s recipients," said Rachel Babcock, Grant Committee Chair for MEF. "Our goals in selecting grants are to seed innovation, expand what works, and support excellence in teaching and learning. The educational initiatives we are funding for the next school year really met that gold standard, but we are even more excited about the opportunities they will bring to Marshfield Public School students."
The largest single grant of $20,000 will supplement the implementation of a 2:1 Chromebook initiative for 8th graders at Furnace Brook Middle School, helping to prepare 8th graders for the 1:1 technological environment at the high school.
Two grants support the growing field of Science, Math, Engineering and Technology (STEM) learning to prepare students for the workforce of the future. Furnace Brook Middle School is being awarded $5,715 to expand CSTEM programming to all 8th graders, which includes computer programming, robotics and the engineering design process The Daniel Webster School will receive $10,890 to establish a STEAM Lab to allow students grades K-5 to explore STEM concepts in a student-centered, hands-on approach and allows for the purchase of microscopes, thermometers and other classroom supplies.
Three grants will support the growing research that increased student activity through the use of “stand-up” desks fosters creativity, increased student attention and increased active learning. South River School will receive $7,139 to add adjustable height stools to each of the nine upper elementary school classrooms and the learning centers. Governor Winslow School will receive $5,581 for the purchase of 20 stand-up desks. Eames Way School is being awarded $6,479 to the purchase of 36 Isokinetic ball chairs and 12 standup desks.
Additional grants being awarded by MEF for the 2016-2017 school year include:
$9,008 for a district-wide initiative known as Trait Crate Plus, which helps develop students into outstanding readers and writers of narrative, informative and opinion pieces;
$11,835 to enhance the outdoor classroom at Eames Way Elementary Schoo, creating a space that is accessible and fosters creativity through outdoor exploration, music and tactile play;
$7,500 to support the Marshfield High School Smart with Money Fair, an education event that teaches the basics of financial responsibility;
$7,000 to provide Chromebooks for a newcomer program at Martinson Elementary School, specifically designed for recent immigrant students with little or no English proficiency;
$5,125 to support educational technology for special education students at Governor Winslow School, opening the door to engaging students through multi-sensory, interactive learning instead of textbooks alone;
$2,996 to support a Tower Garden, a hands-on initiative at Marshfield High School to grow unprocessed, nutrient-rich foods in environmentally friendly methods;
$2,840 for BrainPOP! at Martinson Elementary School. This resource offers hundreds of educational animated movies, quizzes, games and activities aligned with Common Core for students with varied learning styles;
$2,580 to bring the town’s elementary school libraries up to local, state and national standards in technology;
$700 for a slab roller for use in the 3D-Design Program at Marshfidl High School;
$600 to establish an annual Furnace Brook Middle School Lierary magazine to recognize and feature student creativity, along with literary and artistic achievements.