Twice a year the WSVEF awards grants to projects that support education in our schools. The projects listed below are those that have received awards in previous funding rounds.
Round 2: Spring 2007 -- $24,382 Funded
Project Open Door: Henkle Middle School's Project Open Door (POD) will receive $8,640 for support of the stand-alone after-school program developed to assist Henkle students. WSVEF grant funds will go to development of the "Media Corps", a student group which will develop the POD website, including interactive blogs. Participants will also collaborate with the City of White Salmon Centennial Committee to produce and publish blogs of local oral histories, creative works, and poetry collections.
Hands-On Science: Physical Sciences classes at Columbia High School will receive $5,977 for the purchase of three science kits, which will allow students to actually conduct experiments during class, rather than simply watching teacher demonstrations. The components of these kits are simple enough for introductory physics or chemistry, yet sophisticated enough to prepare students for the equipment they'll use in higher education or technical careers.
The VoterMorphosis Project: 12th graders at Columbia High School will help create a statewide online community devoted to a deeper understanding about what it means to be an active participant in a democratic society. The $3,850 award will be used for technology, training, and networking of classrooms across the state to create a rich, state-wide, web-based network of young people, for young people, using materials, perspectives, and opinions created by young people.
The UN Teen Relief Project: This project will receive $3,115 to support an integrated unit in cultural and physical geography, part of the 7th grade social studies curriculum at Henkle. This project groups students into teams whose mission is to provide effective assistance to teenagers in the poorest nations of Africa. Students then present their findings to a panel of community volunteers, who take on the role of screening entity.
Leveling the Earth: WSVEF will provide $2,800 to purchase equipment for ESL classes in US and World History, where students will build web pages to allow others to follow the footsteps of immigrants over the years of US history. Ryan Kreps, a recent graduate from CHS who runs his own technology company called RADComp, will provide instruction in the use of Google Earth to track students' family experiences, reflect on their present lives, and finally make a plan for their future. Students will create Podcast narratives of their own histories for others to hear, including their families and community members.
Round 1: Fall 2006 -- $24,188 Funded
Music for Everyone: A $5,287 grant will fund the “Instruments for Everyone” program at Henkle Middle School to purchase a classroom set of 23 musical wind instruments. Children will utilize digital technology to record CD's and compare their work over time. They will write and edit music for themselves and will incorporate public performances. They will also be mentored by the White Salmon Jazz Band.
Dessert Theater: Henkle Middle Schools "Dessert Theatre" was awarded a grant of $2,000. The students will present “Narnia” along with a dessert fundraiser in our community with the goal of expanding the performing arts program.
Robotics: The Vocational Department at Columbia High School recieved the largest grant awarded, $5,800. This funding was designated for a robotics course led by teacher Chris Hipskind.
Music Technology: CHS's Music Appreciation and Technology Class scored received a $4,943 grant . The class will allow students to digitally compose, record, edit and publish original music compositions. The department's grant also went towards repairing the band students' instruments.
Henkle T.A.G. Program: Henkle Middle School receives $2,100 to craft a Talented and Gifted (TAG) program for 5th and 6th graders. The two-year curriculum will include projects like building a school website, construction of dynamic models using K'NEX building pieces (physics), horticulture exploration with native plants and gardens, and a science fair.
Golden Ratio: A grant of $4,058 goes to the creation of Henkle's Golden Ratio course. This interdisciplinary program explores the concept of ratios in math, art and music . Students build vital math concepts by constructing number sequences, examining patterns in nature, and building hands-on models.