Staff from Katherine Mecham Barney Elementary (KMBE) and Crismon High School (CHS) received grants earlier this school year from the Salt River Project (SRP). The SRP learning grant allows schools, teachers and students to develop projects and programs geared toward state-mandated competencies. The funds can be used to support teaching strategies that will improve student performance in math and science.
At KMBE, Shanon Lines and Tiffany Chamberlain received an SRP learning grant which they used to purchase Ozobots for their students. Ozobots are small, programmable robots that are used to introduce younger students to the fundamentals of coding. Students are able to interact directly with these robots and program them with colors to follow sequences.
Lines explained how coding requires a lot of problem-solving, patience, and teamwork. Some coding exercises can take multiple tries to solve and Shanon said that, “Seeing the look on the faces as they turn from frustration to 'Wow, I did it' is pretty amazing.”
Grants like these help support student learning and exploration. “This additional set and all the accessories will provide additional STEM learning and exploration by the students here at KMBE.”
At Crismon High School (CHS), Dr. Kaesha Neil also received a SRP learning grant. The grant was used to purchase Vernier sensor equipment for AP biology students to collect quantitative data on oxygen, carbon dioxide, and ethanol production during the making of and breakdown of food in plants, yeast, and animals.
By using these sensors, students will be able to monitor the changes in organisms as they photosynthesize. “The quantitative data will also give students an opportunity to graph, analyze, and present their data - important skills in science.” Dr. Neil said. Equipment such as the sensors help students grasp more complex concepts.
“Receiving the financial support for this equipment means our community values the education our students are receiving," Dr. Neil said.
