Funds enhance math, science education
By Jane Myhra
Iola-Scandinavia School District has received a $10,000 grant from America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund.
The district will use the money to enhance math and science curriculum through the purchase and installation of Epson BrightLink projectors in middle and high school classes.
The interactive projectors are touch-based and enable up to six students to draw, select and interact with the board.
The new projectors may be utilized across lessons and subject matters, especially in STEM (science, technology engineering and math), where the district has placed an emphasis.
“Our district has always used technology as a tool to enhance learning opportunities,” said David Dyb, district administrator. “Our high school implemented a one-to-one laptop initiative a few years back, and these interactive projectors will allow us to continue working with students in a more interactive environment.”
“Students and teachers can now collaborate instantaneously and in ways not possible before,” Dyb said.
Three area farmers nominated the school district for this grant – Bruce and Tina Faldet, Dean and Dawn Lashua and Dan Peterson.
Those farmers and school representatives attended a check presentation to celebrate the grant during halftime of the home football game on Sept. 25.
“We were happy to have a chance to help our school district,” said Dean Lashua.
“The company was going to give this money away to some school, so we might as well try to get it for our own school,” said Peterson.
This year, the school district also received an educational starter kit from Monsanto Company to help establish a pollinator garden, which will give students first-hand knowledge of the role habitat plays in providing bees and butterflies with food, shelter and places to lay eggs.
Since 2011, Grow Rural Education has awarded more than $9 million to help keep rural public school districts growing. The program works with farmers to nominate public school districts to compete for math and science grants of $10,000 or $25,000.
Grant applications are reviewed and finalists selected by a panel of teachers. Winning applications are chosen by an advisory council comprised of farmers from across the United States.
For a full list of winners, visit www.GrowRuralEducation.com.
A sister program, America’s Farmers Grow Communities, is currently enrolling farmers for 2016. To sign up, visit www.GrowCommunities.com before Nov. 30.