Our Impact

Project Title:  Precision in Action: Powering STEM Practices, Inquiry, and Innovation in 8th Grade Science
Teachers: Haley Kalina
School:  Discovery Middle School
Students Impacted: 330 grade 8 students
Amount Funded: $1,000

The “Precision in Action” project will equip 8th grade Physical Science classrooms with additional electronic balances and physics cart tracks to enhance phenomena-based investigations. This will give students improved access to precise tools for exploring concepts like mass, force, motion, energy transfer, sound, and chemical reactions through real-world problem solving. The project aims to expand hands-on opportunities and test stations, ensuring equitable participation, strengthening data accuracy, and promoting rigorous, three-dimensional learning aligned with new standards.

Project Title:  Vertical Learning
Teachers: Kelley Barvels
School:  Voyager Elementary
Students Impacted: Initially 30 fourth-grade students in year 1, with the number increasing as subsequent groups of fourth-graders participate.
Amount Funded: $627

This project implements vertical learning strategies and collaboration to create a more cohesive instructional approach by connecting prior knowledge to standards. Aligning curriculum and instruction across subject areas will result in students developing a deeper understanding and improved academic performance.

Project Title:  Weaving Knowledge: Hands-On Learning of Tribal Nations and Indigenous Cultures
Teachers: Carlos Staff
School:  Carlos Elementary
Students Impacted:  100+ students in grades K-5
Amount Funded: $1,682

The ‘Weaving Knowledge’ project provides hands-on yarn weaving experiences, connecting students to Indigenous fiber traditions like Ojibwe and Dakota practices, to align with updated social studies standards on Tribal Nations and Indigenous perspectives. This culturally responsive project integrates social studies, art, and math, developing cultural awareness, practical skills, patience, and appreciation for storytelling. Durable, reusable classroom looms will be used as a long-term resource for students.

Project Title:  Podcast Studio
Teachers:  Melissa Bloch
School:  Discovery Middle School
Students Impacted: Approximately 75-150 students as digital creators, primarily grade 7
Amount Funded: $3,000

The Podcast Studio project will create a student media production studio for podcasting and digital storytelling. The studio will support authentic learning in the Our Community: Voice in Change course and interdisciplinary projects in history, Student Leadership, and the Music in Media class. Students will research issues, develop scripts, and produce high-quality, student-led podcasts, including news segments, to connect learning to real audiences. Grant funds will be used to purchase audio recording equipment, a dedicated editing workstation, and production software, establishing a hands-on environment that develops communication, collaboration, and critical thinking skills.

Project Title:  Heavy Equipment Career Readiness: Truck Driving Simulator Integration
Teachers: Matt Zimmerman
School:  Alexandria Area High School
Students Impacted: Fall semester elective course for grade 12 students
Amount Funded:  $5,000

The grant will provide an additional $5,000 in funding (on top of an already secured $5,000 grant) to purchase three American Truck Driving Simulators for the Heavy Equipment course. The simulators will be integrated into the school day to provide students with safe, hands-on, real-world experience operating large trucks while preparing for their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). This initiative aims to enhance career readiness, reinforce classroom learning, and expand career and technical education opportunities.

Project Title:  Graphing with Building Thinking Classrooms
Teachers: Jana Ludwig
School:  Alexandria Area High School
Students Impacted: All students taking math grades 9-12
Amount Funded: $2,000

The “Graphing with the Building Thinking Classrooms” project involves 9-12 math teachers at Alexandria Area High School (AAHS) implementing the “Building Thinking Classrooms” teaching method, which encourages students to make their thinking visible on vertical whiteboards. Instead of passively listening to teachers, students work in groups on prompts at the whiteboards to investigate concepts. This approach improves collaboration, engagement, and attention to the process. To support the growth of this learning method, the project requests funding to purchase Coordinate Plane Cling Graphs for AAHS math classrooms.

Project Title:  Cooking in the Classroom/Cook a Book
Teachers:  Andrea Jones
School:  Woodland Elementary School
Students Impacted: Initially 68+ first-grade students in year 1, with the number increasing as subsequent groups of first-graders participate.
Amount Funded: $750

The project, “Cooking in the Classroom/Cook a Book”, will provide for experiential learning that integrates multiple subjects in a meaningful, practical way. It provides a unique setting for students to actively apply math (measurement, fractions), literacy (following sequenced directions, building vocabulary), and science (changes in matter) skills simultaneously. Additionally, the project fosters a deeper understanding of the curriculum while teaching basic life skills, promoting healthy habits, and strengthening social-emotional competencies like collaboration and communication.

Project Title:  From Cardboard to Creation
Teachers: Megan Denne
School:  All Elementary Schools
Students Impacted: District-wide, approximately 1,450 students in grades 1-5
Amount Funded: $5,378

The Elementary Art Department’s “From Cardboard to Creation” project will use cardboard and safe cutting systems to help elementary students create 3D sculptures, fostering skills in art, engineering, and design thinking, while ensuring equitable, cross-curricular creative learning.

Project Title: Activities for High Potential Students in Self-Contained Programs
Teachers: Sean Foster, Dave Harstad, Sam Suchy, Sam Kloskin, Alexis Backhaus, Jill Bantau
Schools:  Lincoln Elementary, Woodland Elementary, Discovery Middle School
Students Impacted:  6 students in grades K-8
Amount Funded: $869.15

Alexandria Public Schools has three self-contained programs that serve special education students with EBD or autism in a setting that allows their unique needs to be met. Students in these programs have significant issues with social skills and emotional regulation; they are unable to function full-time in regular classes as a result. While these programs support emotional intelligence and teach pro-social and pro-regulation skills, they are not equipped to challenge students with high cognitive potential intellectually. This grant would provide funds for self-paced, high-interest, hands-on activity kits (based on coding) for high-IQ students in these programs.

Project Title:  Sensory & Skill Building Activities
Teachers: Gabrielle Manzano and Tara Hanson
School:  Lincoln Elementary School
Students Impacted: 50-60 students in grades K-5
Amount Funded: $500

This grant will support the purchase and implementation of a comprehensive set of sensory regulation tools and activities within Lincoln Elementary School. Understanding the vital role of self-regulation in both academic and social-emotional success, our goal is to create a supportive environment where all students can effectively manage their sensory needs and emotional responses. Additionally, the grant funds will enable the purchase of games designed to reinforce social skills learned during direct skill instruction.

Project Title:  The World at Play: Preschool Academy Adventures
Teachers: Tammara DeJesus & Abby Doherty
School:  Miltona Science Magnet
Students Impacted: APS Preschool – Early Education Center & Carlos Elementary Sites
Amount Funded: $2,500

This project aims to enhance preschool dramatic play by creating four thematic “academies” aligned with district career pathways. These academies (Business, Engineering, Health, and Exploration) will provide rich, engaging play experiences focused on social-emotional, cognitive, and academic development. Teachers will create multi-sensory materials to support learning. Outcomes include improved collaboration, problem-solving, vocabulary, pre-literacy, and math skills. By expanding dramatic play resources, the district seeks to boost student engagement and prepare children for future academic success.

Project Title:  Cardinal Book Nook: A Magic Vending Machine for Soaring Young Readers
Teacher: Rose Weisel
School:  Carlos Elementary School
Students Impacted:  School-wide, approximately 110 students in grades K-5
Amount Funded: $7,557.50

The Cardinal Book Nook is an innovative literacy initiative designed to make reading exciting and rewarding. With the installation of a book vending machine, children will have the opportunity to “purchase” books using special tokens earned through positive behavior, academic achievement and reading milestones. The project will foster a culture of literacy by giving students ownership of their books, making reading feel like a special reward rather than an assignment. Our goal is to motivate reluctant readers, celebrate enthusiastic ones and ensure ALL students, regardless of background, have access to high-quality books they can take home and keep.

Project Title:  Creativity and Construction through Cardboard Cutting
Teachers: Miltona Staff
School:  Miltona Science Magnet
Students Impacted:  School-wide, approximately 130 students in grades K-5
Amount Funded: $728.00

This project provides safe, effective cardboard cutters for our young inventors. Intermediate-grade students can build various designs and prototypes to be tested. Primary-grade students can transform everyday boxes into castles, greeting cards, animals, or anything else imaginable. Students will construct 3D models, toys, and other creations from recycled cardboard, with the safety of the BeaverBot and the Makedo tools. Cardboard cutting and creation will promote hands-on learning, problem-solving, fine motor skills development, spatial awareness, and hand-eye coordination.

Project Title:  Miltona Rock Climbing Wall
Teacher: Riley Gustafson
School:  Miltona Science Magnet
Students Impacted: School-wide, approximately 130 students in grades K-5
Amount Funded: $9,285

A Traverse Rock Climbing Wall will be a fun and exciting way to build muscular strength and challenge students mentally and physically as part of the physical education programming at Miltona Magnet School.

Project Title:  Invention Convention in 3D
Teachers: Kari Gilbertson & Kelly Herrera
School:  Voyager Elementary School
Students Impacted:  150 students in grades 2 & 3
Amount Funded: $2,000

All 2nd and 3rd-grade Voyager students would be able to create 3D models of their inventions using a 3D printer. Each year, Voyager’s 2nd and 3rd graders collaborate to hold an Invention Convention, where students research, design, and develop their own inventions or study famous inventors. A 3D printer will allow students to bring their ideas to life by creating physical models of their designs. Throughout this project, students spend weeks exploring the value of innovation through reading and writing. Incorporating 3D printing would provide an exciting opportunity for them to engage with cutting-edge technology while deepening their understanding of the invention process.

Project Title:  Let’s Get Growing
Teacher: Elizabeth Boike
School:  Voyager Elementary School
Students Impacted:  80 students in grade 2
Amount Funded: $1,200

This grant will allow students to experience growth from seed to full-grown plants. Students will use certain pods to show plant structures, and have a better experience seeing these plant parts in real life. Students will be able to create and test theories about the speed at which plants grow when we change the environment in which they are growing. Growing vegetables that students can produce and enjoy will emphasize the importance of sustainable agriculture.

Project Title:  Playground Communication Board
Teacher: Renae Christenson
School:  Voyager Elementary School
Students Impacted:  20 students in grades PreK-5
Amount Funded: $1,629

A post-mounted communication board on the playground at VES would allow students to have effective and efficient communication access while outside. Several students at VES use a speech-generating AAC device to communicate. Communication on the playground and outside can become difficult for students who use these devices for various reasons, such as inclement weather and ease of transporting. These factors can cause students to be unable to communicate effectively when on the playground. In addition to these students, several other students would benefit from a playground post-mounted communication board. This includes students with difficulty communicating while dysregulated, students with limited communication skills, and students who are English language learners.

Project Title:  Vertical Non-Permanent surfaces
Teachers:  Katie Lagergren and Amanda Meyer
School:  Alexandria Area High School
Students Impacted:  1,000 students 9th-12th grade
Amount Funded: $6,000

AAHS Mathematics classrooms will receive Vertical Non-Permanent surfaces to “build thinking classrooms”. This teaching strategy takes student’s mathematics learning from passive to active. When students are at vertical surfaces, they are more likely to take risks, be engaged with the thinking, and form a strong conceptual understanding of the mathematics they are using.

Project Title:  Vertical Non-Permanent surfaces
Teachers:  Megan Paulson and Jill Fuglestad
Schools: All Elementary Schools
Students Impacted:  400 elementary students district-wide grades 2-5
Amount Funded: $2,525

“Thinking Classrooms” are created by using Vertical Non-permanent surfaces as part of a model of teaching that transforms the current system of “sit and get” to a more collaborative system which allows students to be the ones leading discussions, actively problem solving, and collaboratively exploring concepts with small groups of peers. AEF is purchasing Whiteboard sets that will allow students to interact with curriculum in a more engaging way.

Project Title:  Musical Learning for Littles
Teachers:  Rhonda Blaser
Schools: Voyager Elementary School
Students Impacted:  School-wide, approximately 450 students in K-5th grade
Amount Funded: $1,500

AEF will provide barred instruments, and activity balls that are suitable for young students. Students will use instruments for exploration, melody making, and creating. This will prepare young students for future use of Orff barred instruments. A ball can provide students with a visual sense of steady beat in an entertaining way.

Project Title:  American Ninja Warrior Equipment
Teachers:  Patti Hinrichs
Schools: All Elementary Schools
Students Impacted:  1,660 elementary students K-5 district-wide
Amount Funded: $8,210

Ninja Warrior equipment will be utilized at all the elementary levels within the Alexandria Public Schools. The equipment provides a new and unique opportunity for students to challenge themselves both mentally and physically and will also expand the variety of options students can explore regarding recreation and inspire healthy, active, lifelong learning.

Project Title:  African Percussion
Teachers:  Kayla Noble
Schools: Lincoln Elementary School
Students Impacted:  School-wide, approximately 490 students K-5th grade
Amount Funded: $7,250

AEF will purchase a set of African Percussion instruments. Students will experience various African drum types and drumming styles as well as enrich their understanding of rhythm and composition. African drumming is rich in community building traditions and provides students with innovative ensemble building and music making opportunities.

Project Title:  Hydroponic Grow Towers and Food Table
Teacher:  Linnay Schweisthal
School:  Alexandria Area High School
Students Impacted:  100 students 9th-12th grade
Amount Funded: $4,574

The agriculture classes at AAHS will receive Hydroponic towers and a food table. Hydroponics are a way to grow food without soil and in different environments. Students will have the ability to learn about different ways food and plants can be grown and produced. With technology integrated into the hydroponic towers, it will give students a look at how technology can play a role in growing food and keeping plants healthy.

Project Title:  Harmony Bridge
Teacher:  Nick Mason
School:  Alexandria Area High School
Students Impacted:  130 students 9th-12th grade
Amount Funded: $2,500

Harmony Bridge is a musical initiative designed to help bridge the generational gap between teenage students and the senior living community using chamber music. The materials that will be purchased by the Ed Foundation are designed to be an approachable intro to chamber music that students can use in student-led rehearsals and recitals, and then apply those skills at performances in senior living residencies.

Project Title:  Early Ed STEM Cart
Teacher:  Tammara DeJesus
School:  Early Education Center
Students Impacted:  200 preschool students
Amount Funded: $2,500

The Early Education Center will receive a STEM Cart to use in the Alexandria and Carlos location. A STEM cart will offer early exposure to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education and will nurture creative and critical thinking, help students process the continuously changing world around them, and prepare them for the academic years ahead.

Project Title:  Real time Data Collection Materials
Teacher:  Rachel Bothun
School:  Discovery Middle School
Students Impacted:  330 students in grade 8
Amount Funded: $2,221

This grant will purchase Vernier data collection probes to enhance the capabilities of students to collect and analyze real-time data in 8th grade Physical Science classes. The probes are physical measurement devices that directly connect with student Chromebook and use an extension to collect data that students can then analyze. This allows students to interact with the concepts they are learning about by collecting their own data in investigations that they can design and draw conclusions from.

Project Title:  Hanging Out in Nature
Teacher:  Amy Revering
School:  Miltona Science Magnet School
Students Impacted:  School-wide, approximately 143 students in grades K-5th grade
Amount Funded: $2,865

AEF will provide a “Hammock Forest” consisting of 28 double hammocks, which will lend itself not only to independent and partner reading opportunities but will also be a place for students to write and make observations, all while finding more focus in nature.

Project Title:  Build the Change
Teacher:  Valerie Jahnke
School:  Discovery Middle School
Students Impacted:  8 students in grades 6-8
Amount Funded: $500

The Lego Build the Change curriculum that will be purchased empowers DCD students in a transformative journey, fostering essential skills like teamwork and problem solving. Students use their creativity to solve real-world challenges with LEGO® bricks and other creative materials – and it is all achieved via Learning through Play.

Project Title:  Dragster Flow Tunnel
Teacher:  Jon Hennen
School:  Discovery Middle School
Students Impacted:  180 students in grades 7-8
Amount Funded: $2,495

Students will engage in hands-on learning by utilizing a flow visualization tunnel provided by AEF to enhance the design and performance of their CO2 dragsters. The project aims to integrate principles of fluid dynamics and aerodynamics into traditional CO2 dragster design process, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing drag, resistance, and aerodynamic efficiency.

Project Title:  3D Printer Farm
Teacher:  Austin Aker
School:  Alexandria Area High School
Students Impacted:  180 students 9-12th grade
Amount Funded:  $1,200

This project will create a small 3D print farm to increase exposure to rapid prototyping with 3D printing and reduce project time. The printers are used to help students create a product or invention.

Project Title:  Instruments for Music Class Enhancement
Teacher:  Lisa Blevins
School:  Discovery Middle School
Students Impacted:  Over 300 band students in grades 6-8
Amount Funded:  $6,200.00

This grant will enhance Discovery Middle School (DMS) music classes by purchasing instruments for students. The equipment will allow all students to participate equally in the music classroom activities. Adding instruments to DMS inventory will promote student confidence and encourage lifelong musicians and creative problem solvers.

Project Title:  Lego Spike Prime Robots
Teacher:  Jon Hennen
School:  Discovery Middle School
Students Impacted:  Over 100 students in 8th grade
Amount Funded:  $4,939.00

Lego Spike Prime Kits will be used in the robotics course at Discovery Middle School. The kits will provide students with an engaging, hands-on experience to explore things such as coding, engineering, design, and problem solving. Throughout thie coursse, students will use the design process to build and code various robotic projects.

Project Title:  Engineering Derby Cars in Innovation Lab
Teacher:  Lukas Gotto
School:  Discovery Middle School
Students Impacted: Approximately 100 students in 8th grade
Amount Funded:  $1,875.00

This grant will purchase a track to be used for derby car racing in the Innovation Lab class at Discovery Middle School. The Derby Car unit combines STEM and woodworking by having the students design derby cars using Tinkercad and 3D printers and building their final product in the wood shop. Their cars will be put to the test on the newly purchased Pitsco racing track.

Project Title:  Orff Instrument Music Class Enrichment
Teacher:  Ray Noble
School:  Garfield, Miltona & Carlos Elementary Schools
Students Impacted:  360 students K-5
Amount Funded:  $5,300

Orff instruments at GMC schools will allow students to receive hands-on musical experiences, play as an ensemble, collaborate with peers, create, reflect, revise, and perform self-created compositions. These instruments have exceptional durability while still maintaining great sound quality.

Project Title:  Get Outdoors with Grab and Go’s!
Teacher:  Amy Revering
School:  Miltona Science Magnet Elementary
Students Impacted:  School-wide, approximately 140 students in grades K-5
Amount Funded:  $6,000.00

Get Outdoors with Grab and Go’s! includes nine science-themed kits of lesson plans and activities. The kits provide teachers with easily accessible, standards-based lessons that can be implemented in an outdoor setting. Students will be able to observe, investigate, manipulate, collaborate, and problem solve using manipulatives and activities in the kits.

Project Title:  Rock Climbing Walls
Teacher:  Riley Gustafson
School:  Garfield Elementary & Carlos Elementary
Students Impacted:  Over 260 students in grades K-5
Amount Funded:  $12,000

This grant will provide a Traverse Rock Climbing Wall at both Garfield and Carlos Elementary Schools. The climbing wall will give kids a new way to move their bodies during their physical education classes and challenge them in new ways.

Project Title:  Outdoor Makerspace
Teacher:  Kristen Schmidt
School:  Carlos Elementary
Students Impacted:  120, PreK-grade 5
Amount Funded:  $3,624.67

Purchasing an Outdoor Makerspace allows all students at Carlos Elementary to create, build experiments, and explore using hands-on outdoor materials. This will foster and create innovative outdoor learning opportunities and will include materials that will provide unique, year-round, outdoor learning experiences for all students.

Project Title:  Outdoor Makerspace
Teacher:  Barb Walswick
School:  Woodland Elementary
Students Impacted:  Woodland Elementary K-3 with potential for grades 4 and 5
Amount Funded:  $2,000

This grant is the second part of a two-part grant for an Outdoor Makerspace. This will allow students to investigate, explore, create, and expand their horizons in a natural setting through interactive stations set up for individuals or small groups.

Project Title:  Light Tables for Kindergarten Classrooms
Teacher:  Lexie Prom
School:  Woodland Elementary
Students Impacted:  3 Kindergarten Classes (approximately 64 students per year)
Amount Funded:  $2,915.82

This grant will provide hands-on learning through the use of light tables and manipulatives. Students will explore numbers, letters, patterns, building, and exploring in a new playful way.

Project Title:  Geared up for STEAM Learning
Teacher:  Amy Revering
School:  Miltona Science Magnet School
Students Impacted:  School-wide, approximately 140 students in grades K-5
Amount Funded:  $5,250

This interactive gear wall will provide investigative, hands-on, collaborative learning opportunities in the Maker Space.  It will provide a unique opportunity to meet MN Science State Standards in an innovative way surrounding simple machines, as well as supporting other math and science standards.

Project Title:  Video Production Students Partner w/ the CAF Jumbotron
Teacher:  Eric Hartmann
School:  Alexandria Area High School
Students Impacted:  48 currently enrolled in class – school-wide/community-wide impact
Amount Funded:  $10,000

This video production course will partner with the Cardinal Athletic Foundation (CAF) to provide video content for the new digital board at the AAHS Stadium. The video production class will partner with community partners to create high-quality video productions for the board. This grant will be used to purchase high-quality video equipment.

Project Title:  DMS Bands Recording Equipment Project
Teacher:  Derek Ziemer
School:  Discovery Middle School
Students Impacted:  Over 300 band students in grades 6-8
Amount Funded:  $3,500

The Band Department will build an audio recording setup for the band room at DMS.  This will allow the bands to record their ensembles in real-time during class. Students will then be able to review and reflect upon their performance during class to generate ideas and strategies on how to improve/refine their performance. This equipment also provides the band with opportunities to collaborate in new and exciting ways such as connecting with other bands, composers, directors, and clinicians from around the world.

Project Title:  Knitted Circle Looms for Fiber Art Projects
Teacher:  Mitch McGuire
School:  All elementary schools in District 206
Students Impacted:  approximately 600 4th and 5^th-grade students
Amount Funded:  $8,856

Minnesota’s newly-released art standards require elementary students to demonstrate how to weave art materials. These looms will be used to implement a fiber art project to meet these standards in an innovative way.  Fiber art is a great material to build fine motor skills through creative education.

Project Title:  Orff Approach used in the Music Classroom
Teacher:  Rhonda Blaser
School:  Voyager Elementary
Students Impacted:  500 Students
Amount Funded:  $4,280

This grant will provide additional instruments needed to balance out the bass sound to the existing classroom Orff instruments.  The Orff approach promotes creativity which encourages innovation in children.

Teacher: April Larson
School: Early Education Center
Students Impacted: 350
Amount Funded: $1,150

A “Screen-free Zone” campaign at the Early Education Center will make the entryway and hallways a technology free space to encourage healthy limits and ensure that time spent there is used for engaging and responsive interactions during this critical time of development. This campaign will also impact classroom practices around the use of screened technology and increase alternatives to its use.

Teacher: Linnay Schweisthal
School: Alexandria Area High School
Students Impacted: 70 students annually in grades 9-12
Amount Funded: $2,150

The Farmbot integrates robotics, nutrition, soil science, biology, coding and technology for more precise use of resources. Students will experience cutting edge technology used for precision agriculture.

Teacher: Amy Revering
School: Miltona Science Magnet Elementary
Students Impacted: 140 students in grades K-5
Amount Funded: $3,500

The mobile magnet wall will be used to examine slope, cause and effect, momentum, gravity, and laws of motion through hands-on experimentation. Students will utilize their problem solving skills to explore, experiment, and collaborate.

Teacher: Barb Walswick
School: Woodland Elementary
Students Impacted: 300+ each year in grades K-3
Amount Funded: $2,000

The Outdoor Makerspace will allow students to investigate, explore, create, and expand their horizons in a natural setting through interactive stations set up for individuals or small groups.

Teacher: Lukas Gotto
School: Discovery Middle School
Students Impacted: 1050 students each year in grades 6-8
Amount Funded: $3,849.94

With this grant newer models of Spheros will be purchased. This will provide every middle school student with the opportunity to learn basic coding and will add robotics to the curriculum.

Teacher: Nathan Knick
School: Alexandria Area High School
Students Impacted: 180 students each year in grades 10-12
Amount Funded: $5,637.83

The Wasp clay extruder is similar to a 3D printer and can print anything designed out of clay. This grant incorporates technology with art, allowing students to be very creative with design.

Teacher: Jan Finazzo
School: Alexandria Area High School
Students Impacted: 25 students per year in grades 10-12
Amount Funded: $550

Funds will be used to purchase network took kits, RJ-45 connectors and Ethernet cabling. Students will experience first-hand how to create an Ethernet Straight-Through cable, an Ethernet Crossover cable, as well as experience terminating Ethernet cables with RJ-45 connectors.

Teacher: Corey Halstead
School: Alexandria Area High School
Students Impacted: Up to 60 students per year in grades 10-12
Amount Funded: $9,261

This grant will contribute to the purchase of three flight simulators for a new course, Aviation, being offered for the 2021-2022 school year. Experience with the flight simulators will help prepare students to pass the FAA Private Pilot exam.

Teacher: Jillian Burns
School: Lincoln Elementary
Students Impacted: 400 each year in grades K-5
Amount Funded: $1,900

This grant will fund the purchase of a K-5 classroom pack of robots and allow for a 3:1 student-to-robot ratio. The Dash and Dot robots come with “Learn to Code” curriculum to cover grade levels K-5.

Teachers: Kayla Walsh and Maari Ost
School: Voyager Elementary
Students Impacted: 20-35 students each year in grades K-2
Amount Funded: $1,000

This grant will provide gross motor movement options for students. Various equipment will be purchased and used when students need to take a break and move their bodies.

Teacher: Rhonda Blaser
School: Voyager Elementary
Students Impacted: 500+ each year in grades K-5
Amount Funded: $3,258.35

This grant will provide additional instruments needed to complete the set of Orff instruments at this school so that there are enough for an entire class. These instruments enhance the music classroom to promote student confidence, create lifelong musicians and creative problem solvers.

Teacher: Patti Hinrichs
School: Lincoln Elementary
Students Impacted: 500 students each year in grades K-5
Amount Funded: $5,814.10

Students will be able to use the climbing wall to improve physical skills such as upper body and core strength, balance, endurance and flexibility. It also provides opportunity for teamwork problem solving and building confidence.

Teacher: Lynn Strandskov
School: Voyager Elementary
Students Impacted: 1 Kindergarten class
Amount Funded: $701.60

Stem bins will provide students with activities that promote exploration and play. They will include hands-on manipulatives to be creative with.

School: Districtwide
Students Impacted: Grades K-2
Amount Funded: $41,473.00

Funding provided for the purchase of Chromebook devices to support distance learning in Alexandria Public Schools. The Beverly “B” Lohrman grant of $5000 was a part of the total funds to purchase the Chromebooks. The donation funded 200 devices to ensure all students had access to the technology they needed.

Teacher: Leigh Mattox
School: Woodland Elementary
Students Impacted: 450 students in grades K-5
Amount Funded: $6,535.20

Students will be able to use the climbing wall to improve physical skills such as upper body and core strength, balance, endurance and flexibility. It also provides opportunity for teamwork, problem solving and building confidence.

Teachers: Shari Petersen, Molly Taylor, Lori Hochhalter and Amy Borden
School: Lincoln Elementary
Students Impacted: 80 students in 3rd grade
Amount Funded: $2,000

The core of this program will be character education centered around a theme of “Super Hero Students” and the Code of Conduct model. Innovative team building activities and social thinking curriculum will be incorporated.

Teacher: Chad Gilbertson
School: Miltona Elementary
Students Impacted: 150 students in grades K-5
Amount Funded: $3,590

This grant will engage students in learning that will highlight how they can apply STEM principles to real world scenarios involving sports. Through hands-on activities students will see the connections between sports and STEM.

Teacher: April Larson
School: Early Education Center
Students Impacted: 250 students in PreK
Amount Funded: $2,500

These funds will help to create more outdoor learning space as well as expanding the current playground space.

Teacher: Megan Jacob
School: Alexandria Area High School
Students Impacted: 64 students/semester in grades 10-12
Amount Funded: $1,900

Students in Entrepreneurship class will receive a loan of $25 to start a small business. This grant provides real-world experience and will be ongoing and self-sustaining since students will be required to pay their loan back with $1 interest at the end of the semester.

Teacher: Barb Walswick
School: Woodland Elementary
Students Impacted: 450 students in grades K-5
Amount Funded: $1,000

Six cameras will be installed in the woods behind Woodland Elementary. Students will be able to track the wildlife present and record data for longitudinal analysis of patterns in migration, adaptation and hibernation.

Teacher: Kayla Noble
School: Lincoln Elementary
Students Impacted: 470 students in grades K-5
Amount Funded: $1,344

These funds will be used to purchase bass bars for the xylophone and will complete the set of Orff instruments at Lincoln Elementary. This allows for more creativity and more hands on musical experiences for students.

Teacher: Amy Staples
School: Discovery Middle School
Students Impacted: Grades 6-8
Amount Funded: $800

Funding will be used to purchase a coffee cart and organizer. Students in the classroom for Development/Cognitive Disabilities/Autism at DMS have been running a coffee cart for the past 3 years. This provides students with hands on learning through real work experience.

Teacher: Meg Simon
School: Alexandria Area High School
Students Impacted: 350 students in grades 11-12
Amount Funded: $4403.01

ZSpace offers a unique opportunity for students to work with science concepts in a three dimensional world. This technology will allow students to visualize, compare, measure, build, dissect and manipulate 3-D models in hands on fashion.

Teacher: Jeff Pokorney
School: Alexandria Area High School
Students Impacted: 60-90 students in grades 10-12
Amount Funded: $2,100

Funding of this project will purchase quality binoculars for students to observe birds within their natural habitat. Binoculars will assist in better observation and identification to develop accurate reports and communicate with Cornell Lab of Ornithology to submit their findings.

Teacher: Brenda Hintermeister
School: Voyager Elementary
Students Impacted: 500 students in grades K-5
Amount Funded: $3,606

The Safari Jungle Gym will be added to the existing traverse climbing wall (also funded by AEF) to bring obstacle courses to a new level. Students will challenge themselves while developing upper body and core strength, balance and coordination.

Teacher: Lukas Gotto
School: Discovery Middle School
Students Impacted: 1030 students in grades 6-8
Amount Funded: $8,652.96

Funding will provide 30 VR/AR kits, a classroom set, that will be utilized by many different classes. This technology expands learning opportunities far outside of classroom walls. Just a few examples are: traveling to places all over the world, exploring the depths of the ocean, explore within the human body, time travel to key events and places from the past, and much more!

Teachers: Maari Ost & Kayla Bous
School: Voyager Elementary
Students Impacted: 20-35 students – Kindergarten-3rd grade
Amount Funded: $1,320

This grant will fund the purchase of Lego manipulatives along with a Lego table and wall. This project will meet the needs of the special education program by creating a hands-on learning atmosphere that includes engaging materials to enhance learning and creativity. Teachers will be able to utilize differentiated learning in all different subject areas with the Legos. Students will be able to express themselves with higher level thinking and will be able to learn with a variety of tools.

Teacher: Jacob Munsch
School: Voyager Elementary
Students Impacted: 540 – Kindergarten-5th grade
Amount Funded: $6,000

Funding will provide for the creation of a Makerspace lab for all grade levels. A makerspace is a collaborative learning environment with hands-on, creative projects that encourage students to design, experiment, build, and invent.

Teacher: Kari Gilbertson
School: Voyager Elementary
Students Impacted: 100 – 3rd grade
Amount Funded: $625

Funding will provide for the purchase of Breakout EDU kits – a fun, innovative way to develop problem solving, collaboration and critical thinking skills. Activities integrate core academic subjects and apply problem-solving strategies within a real-world/collaborative context. Students are presented with challenges that ignite their natural drive to problem-solve.

Teacher: Barb Walswick
School: Woodland Elementary
Students Impacted: 180 – 4th-5th grade
Amount Funded: $1,500

Funding of this project will support student engagement and increase learning of electricity and circuits. Students will understand energy appears in different forms and they will create simple electronic projects using safe materials in the Snap Circuits kits. As students grow in their knowledge, a variety of challenges and projects can be safely explored at the differentiated pace of each student.

Teacher: Denise Jorud
School: Miltona Magnet Elementary
Students Impacted: 149 – K-5th grade
Amount Funded: $4,150

Funding will provide for the purchase of a VEX IQ Starter Kit in support of an elementary robotics experience at Miltona. The study of robotics relates to all facets of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) learning. This will provide students with a fun, engaging, and hands-on opportunity to explore and experience STEM through a robotics platform.

Teacher: Chad Gilbertson
School: Miltona Magnet Elementary
Students Impacted: 149 – K-5th grade
Amount Funded: $1,288

Students already love interacting with each other using Osmo gaming systems that encourage 21st century learning while practicing English/Language Arts skills. This grant will support the interactive element that Osmo offers and add opportunities for students to practice essential math and coding skills to increase problem-solving.

Teacher: Kassandra Gibbons
School: Alexandria Area High School
Students Impacted: 1,215 – 9th-12th grade
Amount Funded: $4,332

Funding will provide for the purchase of 19 professional-level cameras/lenses for the high school art department to create a full classroom set of 32 cameras. These cameras will be used each day by the photography classes to execute their projects. The cameras can also be utilized by other students who would like to use a camera for other elective and core class projects.

Teacher: Patti Hinrichs
School: Lincoln Elementary School
Students Impacted: 500 – Kindergarten-5th grade
Amount Funded: $4,000

This grant will provide for American Ninja Warrior type obstacles that will be used to enhance the current K-5 physical education program. Obstacle courses challenge each student physically and mentally and they will be able to progress at their own pace and experience success at each level. The obstacle course allows students to increase their coordination, flexibility, balance and agility in a fun and safe environment.

Teacher: Kristen Schmidt
School: Carlos Elementary
Students Impacted: 25 – Kindergarten
Amount Funded: $1,268

Funding will provide a way for students to orally share their learning with both their parents through an online portfolio. The equipment to record their work and thinking will be incorporated as a center for students to use during both literacy and math workshops.

Teacher: Lukas Gotto
School: Discovery Middle School
Students Impacted: 1,000 – 6th-8th grade
Amount Funded: $3,600

This grant will be used to add additional Sphero robots to the middle school Makerspace lab. The use of Spheros will reinforce math concepts, such as ratios and proportions, algebraic equations and inequalities, angle measures, circumference, and statistics. As students code/program the robots, they will also integrate standards relation to time, speed, velocity, and distance.

Teacher(s): Chad Gilbertson, Denise Jorud, Donna Evink, Christi Converse, Kimra Kirksey, Amy Revering
School(s): Miltona Magnet Elementary
Students Impacted: 149 – K-5th grade
Amount Funded: $4,500

The learning tools this grant will provide will be utilized to bring more collaborative learning opportunities to Miltona students. The teachers involved in this project will work to develop activities using Rigamajig to enhance the ability to integrate the 4 C’s (Communication, Collaboration, Creativity and Critical Thinking) into instruction and create engaged STEAM-based lessons for K-5 classrooms.

Teacher(s): Joe Hurlbut
School(s): Garfield Elementary School
Students Impacted: 20-30 – 5th grade
Amount Funded: $120

Funding will provide for the purchase of technology software to help students create a digital portfolio to support oral and written language arts curriculum.

Teacher(s): Chad Gilbertson, Denise Jorud, Donna Evink, Christi Converse, Kimra Kirksey, Amy Revering
School(s): Miltona Magnet Elementary
Students Impacted: 149 – K-5th grade
Amount Funded: $1,022

Previous grant funding has enabled Miltona students to travel to places throughout the world by taking virtual field trips using Google Cardboard and the Google Expeditions program. This grant will fund the purchase of 360-degree cameras, which will support the next step in the student’s learning experience – creating their own virtual reality tours!

Teacher(s): Haley Kalina
School(s): Discovery Middle School
Students Impacted: 950 – 6th – 8th grade
Amount Funded: $5,000

Funding will provide the foundational equipment for a Makerspace that will be utilized by all students. Students will be able to access these materials through their curriculum courses as well as during optional times set up to help students further personalize their learning.

Teacher(s): Elizabeth Billberg
School(s): Voyager Elementary
Students Impacted: 25 – 3rd grade
Amount Funded: $1,400

This grant will fund the purchase of items for a mini-maker space. This space will hold hands-on materials and activities focused on technology, engineering and the making of projects, which will enhance math core curriculum.

Teacher(s): Kim Froemming
School(s): Alexandria Area High School
Students Impacted: 1,200 – 9th – 12th grade
Amount Funded: $6,000

This grant will fund the development of a Makerspace where students can build, collaborate, and problem solve. It will be partitioned into three main areas: electronics, textiles, and general exploration. The general exploration area will include a LEGO wall, electronics will include circuits and opportunities for coding, and textiles will include a sewing machine, fabric, yarn, etc.

Teacher(s): Ben Kettler
School(s): Voyager Elementary
Students Impacted: 25-30 – 2nd grade
Amount Funded: $2,314

Funding will provide for the purchase of LEGO Robotics sets that come with a curriculum tied to math, reading, science, writing, and engineering standards. The lessons are interactive and collaborative. Students create a robot out of LEGOs to perform a real life task. Upon completion of the robot, students will practice coding on the iPad to get the robot to complete the task.

Teacher(s): Andrew Steiner
School(s): Alexandria Area High School
Students Impacted: 576 – 11th and 12th grade
Amount Funded: $6,290

Funding will provide for the expansion of current Agriculture programming at Alexandria Area High School to include a Plant Breeding and Biotechnology course with the purchase of supplemental science equipment.

Teacher(s): Katie Dummer and Lukas Gotto
School(s): Discovery Middle School
Students Impacted: 300 – 8th grade
Amount Funded: $1,050 (2 individual grants – $525/each)

Funding will provide for classroom sets of Virtual Reality headsets that will enable eighth grade social studies students to ‘travel’ and explore the world while using 21st century technologies, thereby enhancing student engagement and understanding of classroom content and material.

Teacher(s): Susan Nienaber
School(s): Lincoln Elementary
Students Impacted: 75- Kindergarten
Amount Funded: $1,200

Funding will support design and implementation of safe, age-appropriate makerspaces embedded in kindergarten classrooms. The spaces will extend kindergarten language arts, science, and math through open-ended, exploratory and problem solving learning. Students will personalize their learning through choice activities, which are naturally differentiated.

Teacher(s): Stacy Denny
School(s): Early Education Center
Students Impacted: 3-5 – Birth to Preschool
Amount Funded: $3,495

This grant will provide for the purchase of a communication device for trials with students with limited to no expressive language and will be used to enhance proficiency with assistive technology.

Teacher(s): Connie Good
School(s): Early Education Center
Students Impacted: 150 – Preschool
Amount Funded: $3,600

This grant will provide for the purchase of new musical instruments and science equipment to support the implementation of science and music enrichment opportunities in 3-4 year old classrooms.

Teacher(s): Mikayla Genereux
School(s): Woodland Elementary
Students Impacted: 136 – Kindergarten and 1st grade
Amount Funded: $1,750

Funding will provide for the purchase of sensory tools and additional materials to make six classroom sensory tool kits. Sensory tool kits in the classrooms assist students with calming their bodies to support the learning process.

Teacher(s): Barb Walswick
School(s): Lincoln Elementary
Students Impacted: 490 – Kindergarten through 5th grade
Amount Funded: $1,900

This grant will be used to add a classroom set of outdoor education backpacks for an enhanced experience of utilizing the outdoors to expand science learning during all seasons.

Teacher(s): Joelle Burreson, Rhonda Blaser, Lynn Johnson, Kayla Noble
School(s): All Elementary Schools
Students Impacted: 1,760 – Kindergarten through 5th grade
Amount Funded: $5,301

Funding will provide for the purchase of twelve iPads to be divided between four elementary music programs to support the integration of technology into the music classroom and to enrich the learning experience and encourage 21st century creativity.

Teacher(s): Alicia Wagner
School(s): Woodland Elementary
Students Impacted: 450 – Kindergarten through 5th grade
Amount Funded: $5,000

Funding will provide for the creation of a Makerspace lab for all grade levels. A makerspace is a physical location where students share resources and knowledge, working independently or collaboratively to work on projects, build, create and solve problems. The items purchased with the grant dollars will be supportive of developing a program that includes the four quadrants of collaborative, independent, digital and physical mediums.

Teacher(s): Barb Walswick
School(s): Lincoln Elementary
Students Impacted: 490 – Kindergarten through 5th grade
Amount Funded: $3,812

This grant will fund the purchase of iPads for the science classroom to allow young scientists to access apps, programs, and interactive websites to enhance their science curricula.

Teacher(s): Meg Simon
School(s): Alexandria Area High School
Students Impacted: 75 – 11th and 12th grade
Amount Funded: $5,554

This grant will support a more authentic learning space by funding the purchase of two patient services consoles and two Pocket Nurse computer carts to support the Health Applications Manikin Lab and the Health Sciences and Human Services Academy.

Teacher(s): Joelle Burreson, Rhonda Blaser, Lynn Johnson, Kayla Noble
School(s): All Elementary Schools
Students Impacted: 1,758 – Kindergarten through 5th grade
Amount Funded: $5,000

Funding will provide for the purchase of twelve iPads which will enrich the learning experience and allow for the incorporation of interactive technology into the elementary music curriculum.

Teacher(s): Brenda Hintermeister
School(s): Voyager Elementary
Students Impacted: 500 – Kindergarten through 5th grade
Amount Funded: $7,646.38

The purpose of the Climbing Wall is to provide a unique opportunity for students to challenge themselves both mentally and physically in a fun and safe environment. The 8′ x 40′ climbing wall will enhance students’ strength, balance, coordination, endurance and flexibility.