The Bots IQ Robotics team, led by Mr. David Bailey, will help fund the building of their combat robot with their SPark Grant. The students of the South Park High School Bots IQ team immerse themselves in the creative and structural design process before taking their combat robot to compete against other school teams. This year-long process strengthens their abilities in engineering, skilled trades, financial management and other STEM related fields.
Pictured from left to right are Mr. Jason Rakip, Mr. Bailey, Rojal Subedi, Flora Chen, Athena Chen (shown holding this year's bot), Isaac Kosmach, Mrs. Jillian Pritts, and Mrs. Amber Thompson.
The first grade team at South Park Elementary Center will use their funds to utilize math manipulatives to engage students in hands-on math skill building throughout the school year. These items will promote fluency in basic foundational math skills, as well as logistical thinking and problem solving skills. As first grade instills the foundation of basic math skills, this project will provide teachers with additional resources to reach every learner.
Pictured in the front row, from left to right are Mrs. Amber Thompson, Mrs. Jillian Pritts, Mrs. Guinevere Bartley, Mrs. Karen Feitl, and Mr. Jason Rakip.
Pictured in the back row from left to right are Mrs. Melissa Dubyak, Mrs. Sara Sheehan, Mrs. Rhianna Sphar, Mrs. Kellie Garrison, Mrs. Emma Winniesdorffer, Ms. Allie Boff, Mrs. Dawn Byron, and Mrs. Michelle Smith.
South Park High School social studies teacher Mr. Boles will use his funds to create a hands-on lesson that demonstrates the importance of creating a balanced approach to geo-political conflict resolution through the lens of the Congress of Vienna. Inspired by the popular game Jenga in which players must remove blocks from a tower without upsetting it, Mr. Boles' students will use their funds to create similar structures to create a "balance of power" as they put a unique educational twist on a classic game. These innovative activities will not only instill history lessons, but also provide hands-on understanding of moderation and empathy.
Pictured from left to right are Mrs. Amber Thompson, Mr. Jason Rakip, Mr. Boles, and Mrs. Jillian Pritts.
South Park High School students will have access to create professional quality photographic prints and graphics for use within curriculum and the Library Media Center's makerspace. Digital photography teacher Mr. Baker and the library media center's Mrs. Finberg teamed up to obtain two professional printers to ensure access for students with a passion for the craft and art of visual elements. This will also provide students an opportunity to create a physical portfolio of their work that they could display for college or employment opportunities.
Pictured from left to right are Mrs. Amber Thompson, Mrs. Finberg, Mr. Baker, Mrs. Jillian Pritts, and Mr. Jason Rakip.
At South Park Middle School, Mrs. Stacey Falk and Mr. Brooks Criswell will keep the school greenhouse green with their funds. This grant will help students understand the scientific process in the greenhouse by providing a space for ongoing projects that research and test methods to optimize growing conditions. This could also spark a lifelong passion in students to create a garden and grow their own food!
Pictured from left to right are Mrs. Jillian Pritts, Mrs. Amber Thompson, Mrs. Falk, and Mr. Jason Rakip.
At South Park Middle School, Mrs. Stacey Falk and Mr. Brooks Criswell will keep the school greenhouse green with their funds. This grant will help students understand the scientific process in the greenhouse by providing a space for ongoing projects that research and test methods to optimize growing conditions. This could also spark a lifelong passion in students to create a garden and grow their own food!
Pictured from left to right are Mrs. Amber Thompson, Mr. Jason Rakip, Mr. Criswell, and Mrs. Jillian Pritts.