Connecticut Educational Grants

Connecticut Educational Grants
2007-08 Academic Year

Cutler Middle School in Groton County was awarded $1,000 for 6th through 8th grade students to participate in the Cutler Middle School Science Team. Students practice for the Math and Science Bowl, an event where students must compete in hands-on science and math events in teams of two. Students will be participating in events such as insect identification and food chemistry.

New London High School was awarded $3,000 for a Wildlife Habitat Garden which 1st, 2nd and 10th grade students will enjoy. Biology Classes at the high school will work with 1st and 2nd grade classes to raise butterflies and expand the garden. The biology students will teach the elementary school students about biology through posters and PowerPoint presentations.

Norwich Public Schools were awarded $2,300 for 3rd through 5th grade students to participate in a community project focused on agricultural education and ecological literacy. Students will volunteer to take care of a community garden on the grounds of Morarity Elementary School. They will gain hands-on experience by planting, weeding and harvesting throughout the year.

Oakdale Elementary School in Montville County was awarded $900 for pre- kindergarten through 5th grade students to participate in plant experiments in a “Grow Lab” year round. The “Grow Lab” will use plants and gardens as educational tools to help students learn about science and the environment. Students will gain knowledge in science and mathematics along with personal skills that encourage teamwork.

Oswegatchie School in Waterford County was awarded $1,000 for “Annual Family Science Nights.” Kindergarten through 5th grade students and their families will conduct hands-on experiments and activities that promote scientific inquiry. Students will develop critical thinking skills and excite students and their families about science.

Regional Multicultural Magnet School in New London was awarded $1,800 to track kindergarten through 6th grade students’ success with customized grade level mathematics tests. Test reports will be generated for each student based on their own learning level. With this software, teachers and administrators will work together to recognize and address math deficiencies.

St. Bernard School in Uncasville County was awarded $4,000 for 11th through 12th grade students to study the advantages of biodiesel in today’s economy. Students will examine chemical reactions and as well as the effect of alternative fuel resources on the United States’ economic structure. In lab sessions students will convert waste cooking oil into biodiesel and then experiment using a school vehicle to test to viability of the fuel they created.

Stonington High School was awarded $1,000 for outdoor trigonometry labs for 11th grade students. The labs will enable these students to apply mathematical concepts to real life situations. Students will measure distances across ponds and the height of a flagpole. This lab will take students out of the classroom and into the real world of math and science.

West Side Middle School in Groton County was awarded $2,500 for 6th grade students to learn about natural energy, photosynthesis and the use of trees to combat pollution. Students will also take a field trip to a power plant to gain an understanding of the technology and local energy use. They will get hands-on by conducting fuel usage surveys of the school district and their homes so they can determine where most of the pollution originates.