The Mid-Valley STEM-CTE Hub recently awarded their third round of Educator and Community-Based Organizations microgrants. With ample evidence that COVID-19 is widening the existing systemic education and inequality gaps, our aim is to partner with educators and local non-profits to develop projects that reduce barriers and support students. Through this support, students will gain more access to meaningful science, technology, engineering, math (STEM), and career and technical education (CTE) opportunities.
A total of $90,592.98 was awarded to fund a total of 40 equity-focused, STEM-CTE related projects or initiatives:
Microgrants totaling $16,953.98 were awarded to the following 22 educators:
- Force Motion Unit – Emily Barker, Centennial Elementary (Scio School District); to purchase supplies so students can perform friction experiments.
- GLAD Units in Science – Scott Golden and Amanda Tate, Centennial Elementary (Scio School District); to purchase supplies and equipment to support activities in the GLAD (Guided Language Acquisition and Development) curriculum.
- STEM Challenges – Jamie Griffin, Centennial Elementary (Scio School District); to purchase materials to implement STEM hands-on learning challenges.
- CTE Pathways Support – Babette Grunwald, West Albany High School; to purchase ipads, pencils, charging stations, and cases for their CTE department.
- Santiam SnoLab – Lindsey Haggis, Sweet Home High School; to take an Outdoor PE class for a custom ski & snowboard manufacturing experience.
- Wooden Pen Project – Ricky Hall, West Albany High School; to purchase supplies so all freshman students can build a wooden pen.
- Electricity Unit – Dominique Hunter, Centennial Elementary (Scio School District); to purchase supplies so students can learn about electricity and energy transfer.
- Maker Stations – Jennifer James, Stacy McAllister, Katrina McSorley, Megan Traeger from Centennial Elementary (Scio School District); to purchase open-ended art and STEM supplies for classroom maker stations.
- Lab Safety Equipment – Niki Kuykendall, Scio Middle School; to purchase updated science lab equipment.
- STEM Units of Study – Michelle LeFeber, Centennial Elementary (Scio School District); to purchase a STEM Units of Study supplies bundle.
- Preschool STEM Toys – Shea Looper, West Albany High School; to purchase STEM supplies & materials for the WAHS Preschool.
- Kitchen Supplies – Amanda Miles, South Albany High School; to purchase kitchen stools for the culinary classroom kitchen.
- Health Occupations Teaching Tools – Molly Morse, West Albany High School; to purchase a brain model and Human Anatomy Lab software.
- Rocketry Summer Program – Sarah Peterson, Sweet Home Junior High; to purchase rocket kits for 50 students.
- Makey Makey Kits – Ruby Reeder, Centennial Elementary (Scio School District); to purchase a classroom supply of Makey Makey invention kits.
- Business Leadership Startup Project – Joey Running, West Albany High School; to launch a start-up business for the Accounting/Finance students.
- Preschool STEM Toys – Julie Serna, Crescent Valley High School (Corvallis School District); to expand STEM resources, toys, activities for CV’s on-site preschool program.
- Marketing Video Project – Morgan Wadlow, West Albany High School; to purchase GoPro Hero9 camera bundles, GoPro remotes, and 3-Way stands.
Microgrants totaling $73,639 were awarded to the following 18 community-based organizations:
- Camp Albany – Albany Parks & Recreation, Albany; to purchase 14 Chromebooks and a locking cart to store them, as well as more materials like Makey Makeys, KEVA planks, and Strawbees.
- Hot Rod Kids – Better Kids Club, Albany; to purchase equipment (go-kart, engine, Pyro Tek safety gear, and funding for participation at the race track events).
- Electric Vehicle Project – Electrathon America, Albany; to hire OSU interns to help engage youth in the program and provide assistance in building the basic skills needed to start working on their own electric vehicles.
- Launch Academy – Innovation X (OSU), Corvallis; to provide funding support for their Launch Academy student STEM business incubator.
- Positive Youth Development Activities – Jackson Street Youth Services, Albany; to provide their youth with outdoor education and regional industry field trips including covering costs of entrance or guide fees, rental equipment, and transportation.
- Orientation to Computer Science Course (CS 160) – Linn-Benton Community College, Albany; to provide professional development for K12 instructors to teach CS 160 (a transfer course for both CC and University Level Engineering and Computer Science degrees and Technology CTE programs) at the HS and build a bridge via Dual Credit/HS Partnership into Higher Ed Level programs.
- Rock Creek Camp – Marys River Watershed Council, Corvallis; to provide funding to teach watershed concepts to the 50 campers ages 8-14 participating weekly (150 students total).
- The Growing Garden – Mid-Willamette YMCA, Albany; to provide funding for “The Growing Garden,” a hands-on outdoor science education and gardening opportunity for preschoolers.
- Campus Field Trips – Discovering the Scientist Within (OSU Precollege Programs), Corvallis; to expand the impact of DSW created activities to another OSU Precollege Program – Campus Field Trips (CFT).
- Beyond Technical Skills: Harnessing the Power of Relationships in Career Education – OSU Precollege Programs & Food Science and Technology Extension, Corvallis; to develop an educational storytelling video for young adults (high school youth) and early career workforce members as a crucial element of career development and training.
- iINVENT Summer Camps – iINVENT (OSU Precollege Programs), Corvallis; to provide participating learners introductory invention experiences focused on skills related to the invention toolkit.
- SEL Integration: Skills Hinge On Teachers (The SEL SHOT) – OSU Precollege Programs, Corvallis; to provide free professional development for educators training them in the implementation of a framework of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) in their teaching.
- STEM Kits – Philomath Youth Activities Club, Philomath; to fund the cost of hands-on STEM kits to be used by all of our campers (up to 30), once per week throughout the summer.
- Code Can Dance – Rainbow Dance Theatre, Monmouth; to fund a STEAM integration program incorporating coding and hip hop dance.
- Mobile Maker Van Supplies – Silicon Box, Corvallis; to fund the purchase of a Canvas Tent, Trailer, and generator.
- STEAM Summer Camp – Silverleaf School, Salem; to fund supplies for a summer camp and before and after school STEAM Exploration programs.
- Linn-Benton Salmon Watch – South Santiam Watershed Council, Sweet Home; to fund a Volunteer Coordinator for the Linn Benton Salmon Watch Program
About the Mid-Valley STEM-CTE Hub
Through our first two rounds of microgrants, we have supported a total of sixty-eight projects for a total of $166,900. With the conclusion of our third and final round, we have supported a total of 108 projects for a total of $257,492.98.
These microgrants are made possible by the Mid-Valley STEM-CTE Hub, with funding and support from the Oregon Department of Education, the Ford Family Foundation, the Oregon Community Foundation, and the John and Ginger Niemeyer Foundation.
The hub partners with local schools, businesses, and non-profits to expand STEM and CTE opportunities for all P-20 students in Linn and Benton counties.
To find out more about our work, please visit www.midvalleystem.org.
