In November, the Prairie State Generating Company (PSGC) awarded Classroom Impact Grants to support STEM-related projects in local classrooms. Five grants of $1,000 were awarded. The recipient schools of these grants are listed here, along with the project being supported:
- Bartelso Elementary School. Project: Microscope and Electricity Kits
This project involves the purchase of a digital microscope and classroom circuit kits. The first will enable shared learning in the science classroom, allowing students to view what the teacher is looking at through the microscope and enhancing the study of life science units. The circuit kits will aid in teaching units on electrical circuits, switches, power sources, and voltage. These reusable kits will benefit students for years to come, with 81 middle school students receiving immediate benefit this spring semester.
Pictured at right: Tom Siegler (Superintendent, Bartelso Elementary School) and Alyssa Kreger (PSGC).
- Estelle Kampmeyer Elementary School. Project: Meet the Author
This project begins with hosting a “Meet the Author Day,” where author Jennifer Ward will introduce young readers to STEM concepts and facilitate hands-on activities to help students build cognitive skills. After demonstrating how STEM concepts can inspire creativity, students will each be provided with books and writing journals to encourage continued learning. This project will support 475 elementary school students.
Pictured at right: Mark Dismukes (Principal, EK Elementary School), Lena Bauer (Third Grade Teacher, EK Elementary School), Alyssa Kreger (PSGC), and Dr. Donna Wood (Delta Kappa Gamma Representative).
- Nashville Grade School. Project: Edison Coding Robots with EdSketch and EdCreate Kits
This project will provide Edison Coding Robots to help the technology integration teacher provide hands-on education where creativity meets technology. These robots can be programmed using icon-based drag-and-drop coding, block-based coding, or text-based programming. This project will benefit over 550 students from kindergarten through 8th grade.
Pictured at right: Linda Klingenberg (Technology Integration Specialist, Nashville Grade School) and Alyssa Kreger (PSGC).
- Okawville Grade School. Project: Take the Lead
This project will provide project-based learning kits for the 5th and 6th grade STEM classroom. The combination Claw/Bot/Launch/Race kit will allow students to learn time management and teamwork skills, and enable them to take the lead on their own learning. These tools will be used for future projects, with 45 students benefited in spring semester.
Pictured at right: Kim Howard (Principal, Okawville Grade School), Sarah Maschhoff (STEM Teacher, Okawville Grade School), and Alyssa Kreger (PSGC).
- Trico Elementary School. Project: Be Inventors: Upper Elementary Circuits and Coding
This project will incorporate a Makey Makey classroom invention kit into the Trico STEAM Lab. This kit allows students to create circuits with everyday items, allowing computer controls to be transferred from the keyboard to any item that is attached to the Makey Makey board. This project will impact over 220 students in the district.
Pictured at right: Olivia Jackson (STEAM Teacher, Trico Elementary School) and Alyssa Kreger (PSGC).
Runner-Up Grants
With so many outstanding applications received, the judging panel also selected an additional four runner-up projects to receive grants of $500 each. These runner-up grants were awarded to Red Bud Elementary School, Sparta Lincoln School, Sparta High School, and Trinity Lutheran School in Hoffman.
Supporting Local Educational Initiatives
Randy Short, President and CEO of PSGC, highlighted the importance of STEM education. “At Prairie State, we employ a wide range of professionals. Many of them come from educational backgrounds in science, technology, engineering, and math. It is vital that we support STEM education, to provide students an opportunity to see how fulfilling a STEM career may be.”
PSGC is proud to support local classrooms through initiatives such as these, and we look forward to continuing this grant program in the future.