2007 Qwest Mini-Grants
August 15, 2007 MINNEAPOLIS, MN-- Qwest and the Minnesota High Technology Foundation/Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTF/MHTA) today awarded ten grants to Minnesota K-12 schools for new technology-centered classroom curriculum at an awards ceremony during the Minnesota Superintendent’s Conference in St. Paul.
The ten programs chosen to receive the grant are remarkably innovative, integrating cutting-edge technology within a variety of subject areas.
“Technology-based educational initiatives such as these are critical for Minnesota schools in encouraging students to engage in science and technology disciplines,” said John Stanoch, Minnesota president of Qwest. “We are honored to give these awards to these well deserving schools.”
Nearly $60,000 in grant funding was furnished by the Qwest Foundation through the company’s Teachers and Technology Program. The application process was facilitated by the Minnesota High Technology Foundation, the charitable arm of the Minnesota High Tech Association.
“Considering the quality of applications we received, we are confident that the grant funding being dispensed will give students a leg up in our globally competitive marketplace,” said Kate Rubin, president of MHTA.
2007 Award recipients include:
Blaine High School – Gary Mansergh, Inquiry Coach for Secondary Science (Blaine)
Students will become familiar with the use of podcasting as a form of communication. Teams of students will create podcasts as part of research projects for the Internet Science and Technology Fair. Podcasts will be posted online.
Cityview Performing Arts Magnet – Ben Knaus, Arts Coordinator (Minneapolis)
Students will use digital cameras and digital video cameras to create a photo book and a documentary video depicting the letters of the alphabet used in science.
Garden City Elementary – Sara Preiner, 5th Grade Teacher (Brooklyn Center)
Place SMART boards in each fifth grade classroom. Teachers will complete training through the Osseo School District to become a “Technology Integration Collaborative Teacher.”
Highland Catholic School – Carol Broadnax, Math Resources (St. Paul)
Technology will be highly utilized in a unit that emphasizes the “real world” applications of mathematics.
Holy Rosary School – Jesse Murray, Principal (Duluth)
Holy Rosary will bring together physical education, technological instruction, scientific method/statistical analysis, and language arts to involve students in the long range planning of a healthy and fit school community.
Oak View Middle School – Paul Keeney, Industrial Technology Teacher (Andover)
Students will work in small groups to build a robot from technical plans that include the use of input sensors and output motors.
Orono Middle School – Laurie Jensen, 6th Grade Teacher (Orono)
Orono Middle School will implement an E3 (E Cubed) program where students Engage, Explore and Enrich math skills through investigation and hands-on learning, collaboration, and communication with teammates and mentors.
Roosevelt High School – Michael O’Connor, Science Teacher and Health Careers Coordinator (Minneapolis) The Health Careers Program will use technology and team teaching to increase student achievement in math, science, English, and social sciences.
Rutherford Elementary – Wayne Feller, Arts and Technology Integration Specialist (Stillwater)
Students will apply advanced math and economic concepts to real-world food production and consumption situations, as well as utilize technology to foster research in this vital area.
Sibley Elementary School – Peggy Bennett, 1st Grade Teacher (Albert Lea)
Sibley Elementary School will increase the skill level of students enrolled in the special education program in a variety of areas through the use of integrated white board technology.
The Minnesota Department of Education and Qwest will be posting grant recipient project plans on their websites:
