2015-16 Grants
BWEF recently announced funding of $55,000 in enrichment programs for the 2015-16 school year. The funds will support 22 teacher-initiated ideas that impact students in each of the Bristol Warren Regional School District's schools.
BWEF Grants Committee chairman Tyler Dixon is pleased with the outcome and excited by the opportunities created for the students. “BWEF is pleased to be able to continue to support these exciting, teacher-led initiatives,” said Mr. Dixon. “BWEF's goal is to support innovative ideas and programs that impact all students in Bristol and Warren.”
This year's grant funding represents BWEF's largest single-year award in its eight-year history and brings its total funding, over that time period, to nearly $300,000. The areas of study that will be supported include math, science, engineering, art, reading, geography, cartography, music, foreign language, nature exploration, photography, special education and a great deal of emerging technology.
“We are excited by all of the amazing ideas presented by the faculty, they continue to impress us with their innovative approaches to learning,” said Mr. Dixon. “Supporting creative ideas is a role that BWEF is uniquely positioned to fill, it's our mission.”
BWEF received over $120,000 in funding requests this year. “We are determined to keep pace with the growing demand for funding,” proclaimed Mr. Dixon.
2015-16 BWEF funded grants
All district elementary schools
Elementary School Science Fair – BWEF funds the Elementary School Science Fair which provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate their knowledge of science content and skills outside of the classroom walls.
STEAM Enrichment – This project will complement the district-wide curriculum in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) through activities provided by the Rhode Island Museum of Science.
Kindergarten Welcoming Kit – BWEF funds materials for a letter written by a previous year kindergartener welcoming new students to kindergarten, included with a grade level appropriate book.
Colt Andrews
Math Time Stories – The goal of the Math Time Stories Project is to provide a literature link for math workshops for all kindergarten students. The Math Start books by Stuart J. Murphy, introduces simple math concepts in engaging stories that children love.
Sensory Toolkit and Stations – A sensory toolkit and stations for each 5th grade classroom will provide valuable resources for teachers to address students with attention difficulties, students with autism who need a rich sensory diet, and any student in the classroom who simply needs to get their “wiggles” out.
Guiteras
National Geographic Giant Traveling Maps - Designed to promote geographic literacy by igniting interest in geography, the maps and accompanying activities incorporate physical movement and games to teach students place names, physical geography, and cultural geography as well as map reading skills.
Engineering: Windmill Workshop - The Museum of Science team of highly qualified professional educators are able to collaborate with classroom teachers and students. Through this collaboration students will be able to explore the engineering design process by building their own energy-producing wind turbine.
Engineering: Bridges Workshop - The Museum of Science team of highly qualified professional educators are able to collaborate with classroom teachers and students. Through this collaboration students will be able to explore the engineering design process by building a full-size bridge in the classroom.
Maps in the Classroom - The goal of this project is to expose students to the fine art of mapmaking by professional cartographer Jason Newton. Students learn by a hands-on approach, by drawing in details and labeling maps.
Hugh Cole School
One School One Book - One School One Book is a family involvement initiative that has been growing and now exists in many schools throughout the United States. The goal of this project is to celebrate reading at Hugh Cole School and to encourage members of the Hugh Cole School community to develop a love for reading.
Colonial Days Project - The goal of the project is to expose 5th grade students to a hands on projects relating to the colonial time period. The day serves as an activator for the social studies unit on colonial times as well as the Revolutionary Period.
Rockwell
Science Co-Lab with Audubon – Second-grade students will participate in five (one hour) hands-on science lessons in the classroom provided by the Audubon Society of Rhode Island.
Performing Arts Integration with Trinity Rep - Using materials provided by Trinity Repertory Theater Company, students engage in investigating dramatic enactments using dialogue from “A Christmas Carol.” After extensive, integrated classroom activities, students travel to Trinity Rep to view a live performance.
Art Docent Program - The art docent program uses works of art to promote interdisciplinary and multicultural connections through direct experiences in creative expression. Parents and members of the community bring their unique expertise and vision to this art appreciation experience.
Spanish Language Enrichment - This Spanish Language Enrichment Program provides opportunities in grade 1 - 5 that engage students in reaching higher levels of social, emotional, and academic achievement.
Kickemuit MS
Beginning Band Project - BWEF funds the Beginning Band Project, providing students with small group instruction by professional musicians at the beginning of the school year to ensure each student has the resources needed to succeed.
Nature's Classroom - BWEF funds Nature's Classroom, creating an extraordinary opportunity for students to learn in a way that cannot be duplicated in a classroom. Over a five-day period of time students engage in activities that promote learning about science and nature, teamwork and self-awareness.
Flipping the Classroom – This project is designed to provide students with an alternative way of learning that is more closely aligned with how children learn in the 21st century. By flipping the instruction with the use of technology, students are presented with information at home and then practice, apply and extend their thinking and knowledge in school where they get teacher support and work collaboratively in groups.
Blended Learning and Flipped classroom – The goal of this project is to implement a fully Blended Learning Classroom utilizing iPads as a digital tool and to create an optimal learning environment for small group instruction where students are actively engaged in constructing their understanding of science
Mt. Hope HS
Rohan Murphy ”No Excuses” – Rohan Murphy is a motivational speaker who has addressed students all over the country. The idea of “no excuses” is crucial in a social culture where excuses are rampant and perceived to be acceptable; there may be reasons for choices and behavior, but that does not need to hold students back and they need that message.
Analogue Photography Teen Workshop – The goal of this project is to introduce photography students to analogue photography. Students will receive instruction on the history of photography, camera controls, framing and developing and printing their own work in a darkroom.
Past Grants