In late 2009, FEPS awarded $32,500 to Eden Prairie Schools for the following grants:
Katy Anderson (Cedar Ridge Elementary) received $10,129 for Mindstorms Learning Kits used to implement an engaging, science/technology-related experience with LEGO Robotics equipment. The grant was funded by a large donation from the ADC Foundation.
“Just a note of gratitude for making our Robotics grant possible. I wish you could have been here the day the pallets of Legos arrived. The kids were brimming with excitement. I’ve been overwhelmed by the support I’ve received. Mike Maas, at the high school, has offered the help of his robotics team. An engineer & First Lego Coach/Author/Trainer has offered his expertise. We are off to a great start.” ~ Katy Anderson
Kristin Gabel (Eden Prairie High School) received $6,106 for a polymerase chain reaction machine for biology courses which will allow students to take a small amount of DNA and amplify it until there is enough DNA to manipulate or test in the laboratory setting.
Jackie Ahlers (Central Middle School) and Mike Skarp (Prairie View Elementary) received $2,880 and $4,957 respectively for adjustable-height standing desks, with stools, for their classrooms.
Nicola Huss (Forest Hills Elementary) received $5,000 for multiple classroom sets of non-fiction books that integrate science and social studies into the reading and writing curricula across all grade levels.
Peggy Simenson (Cedar Ridge) is developing a training program to bring parent volunteers into the school to help students be successful in reading and math in kindergarten and first grade.
The Foundation received over $171,000 in grant requests from 21 applicants this past year alone. The Foundation is limited by its financial resources but not by a lack of teacher innovation or creativity.
