2024 KASD Ed Foundation Mini Grants

Following a very successful inaugural year of mini grants for teachers, the Kutztown Area School District Education Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of this year’s grants. Interested teachers began the application process in September with the final review being completed by administration, the KASDEF board, and the KASD school board in mid-December.

Seven grants were approved this year to enhance education for our students. Please read their descriptions below.

Washington, D.C. Education Field Trip

• AP Government students will visit a member of Congress in Washington, D.C., to advocate for policy changes or congressional action on a particular issue.

• AP Human Geography students will conduct research that will prepare them to visit the Planet Word Museum and an international embassy in Washington DC.

• AP U.S. History students will conduct research using museum exhibits at the National Museum of American History and connect them to the AP U.S. History themes.

Sensory Room/De-escalation

• This project will support self-regulation and de-escalation in elementary students. It will teach students to take charge of their emotional regulation needs.

• These resources will help students maintain/regain the composure required to proceed with their school day.

Reading and Writing Workshop with Paul Volponi

• Paul Volponi will conduct reading and writing workshops with students in grades 9-12.

• With each group of students he will pre-read student work and provide feedback for revision or he will conduct a group writing activity.

Fit & Focused Desk Pedal Cycles for Elementary Kids

• This project will provide teachers with a set of cycles for students in their classrooms.

• Expected outcomes are to increase student focus and ability to maintain attention while encouraging students to move.

• Research shows that movement opportunities increase students’ academic performance.

Toys for Understanding

• Students will design and create a toy that converts electrical energy into mechanical motion.

• Students will create a manual explaining how to make the toy as well as how it works using the physics principles involved.

STEM Design Challenge

• This mini grant would be used to purchase K’nex for the students’ participation in the Berks IU’s STEM Design Challenge.

• The challenge requires students to solve a significant real-world problem.

• Students will design and build a prototype of their proposed solution using K’nex.

• The students will then present their solution to a team of judges.

Sew & Share: Pillow Keepsakes

• Students will design unique fabrics using a wax resist silk painting process.

• They will transform these fabrics into pillows that tell a story with their unique design.

• The students will then donate these pillows with their individual stories to residents at the Kutztown Manor.

Watch for photographs and videos of these exciting and innovative projects in practice in the classrooms. We look forward to seeing the impact on our students!

The mini grants have been made available through your generosity. Thank you for your commitment to Improving Education Together!