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STEUBENVILLE -- Teachers in the Steubenville City School District are sharing $1,800 in grant funding to implement projects for student growth.
Three Jefferson County Educational Service Center 2020-21 Best Practice Grants were disbursed to teachers Heather Hoover, Anthony Kinyo and Matthew Filo to help enact programs primarily centered on science and technology.
Hoover, who serves as an SFA facilitator and gifted intervention specialist at McKinley STEM Academy, is spearheading "How Does Your Garden Grow?," a project where 60 cross-curriculum students will explore aeroponic farming (the process of growing plants in an air or mist environment without the use of soil or an aggregate medium) and the advancements in producing a faster growth cycle and healthier plants, all while using fewer resources. She said students will also gain the knowledge to explain local food systems and distinguish the means to developing an efficient and sustainable soilless farming method. From sowing seeds to plant anatomy, germination calculations and measuring roots, students will be able to demonstrate an ability to produce quality food and develop a 21st century workforce mindset, which will enable them to discover entrepreneurial skills, critical thinking skills and solutions to global issues.
She oversees the academy's idea lab and works with preK-4 students, seeing each class once a week. Hoover is a prior mini-grant recipient and was excited to have another opportunity this year.
"I have received the best practices grant before and am very excited about continuously having the opportunity to apply for funds such as these," she said. "I am constantly looking for ways to expose my students to content that is not only aligned to content standards, but also to real world issues and scenarios."
Kinyo, who instructs grade 9-12 college credit plus students in biology and Earth science, will introduce 100 biology students to "Microbiological Bacteria Analysis and the Efficacy of Disinfectants." Through the project, students will sample bacteria from around the school and on their bodies and use various disinfectants and antiseptics to test for their ability to kill the bacteria. Students will develop questions and hypotheses and finish the project by writing up a formal lab report with an introduction, materials and methods, results section with data table and associated graphs and a discussion or conclusion section.
He is a first-time grant recipient and said he will use funding to implement his project.
"I am extremely excited to purchase some new lab supplies for my students so that they can gain hands-on experience applying the scientific concepts they learn in the classroom," Kinyo said.
Filo, who teaches grades 7-8 science and technology at Harding Middle School, is using his grant allocation for "Sphero Bolt Upgrade." The project intends to upgrade existing Sphero SPRK+ robots, which are programmable robots and STEAM-based educational tools that transform the way students learn, create, and invent through coding, science, music and the arts. Filo said Sphero can change how students engage with abstract ideas in the classroom, where before students were confused and bored with learning. Now students can get excited about engaging with new ideas and concepts. Critical thinking, collaboration and problem-solving are also skills that students learn when using the robots.
Filo was grateful to receive his first funding award to enhance learning for his pupils.
"I am super excited about this funding," he said. "I am a first-year teacher, so I am very excited to try new things to help my students become lifelong learners. Even though this year has been crazy, I am thankful for all the support I have received from Steubenville and the county."
Meanwhile, JCESC Superintendent Chuck Kokiko said the purpose of the grants is to recognize educators who seek unique ways to teach students and help them achieve success.
"The 2020-21 school year has brought new challenges for classroom teachers given the current pandemic. JCESC is pleased to have the funding for continued support of the grants," said Kokiko. "Many teachers are looking for new resources to meet the unique needs of this school year while others are simply searching for funds to support innovative instructional practices. In either case, JCESC congratulates all of our winners and wish them continued success as they work to provide the finest education to their students."