2013 - 14 Educational Grant Application
Deadline: Wednesday, March 20, 2013, by 4pm
Name of Grant: ___Apps for the Outdoors – Connecting our Outdoor Experiences through Technology_____
Name of person(s) submitted by: (if submitted by a team of teachers, grade level, etc. please list all names
involved and select one individual to be the contact person for the grant.)
_____Kirk Evans – 5th Grade Science_____________________________________________
Campus/Department: __________Olson Elementary________ Grade Level(s): ________K-5_______
Total Dollar Amount Requested: ____$1320.00_________________________________
Number of students who would be involved/impacted by grant: ___500________
Name of principal or immediate supervisor who will approve submission: ______Andrew Benesh_____________
Project Purpose: What is the problem, need or opportunity that this grant will address? What is the
student need which the project will address? The purpose should explain what students will know and be able
to do as a result of this project. Please explain how a problem will be addressed or a situation improved because
of the grant. (200 words or less)
For the past four years the Foundation for Allen Schools has funded the Ecoliteracy Project @ Olson Elementary.
One goal of our project is to build on placed-based educational opportunities by getting children outside studying,
observing, and experiencing local natural areas and wild places. These experiences have helped our Olson
community build a deeper understanding of our blackland prairie ecology, create the first knowledge base of our
ecological address and develop a more profound sense of place. Students and teachers have gained in-depth
knowledge in local ecosystems and used current techniques in field based scientific investigations. Because of
these experiences and several trainings more than forty 5th and 6th students have become a core group known as
“Teaching Buddies”. These students share their love for learning in the outdoors and knowledge of field based
science investigations with 25 classrooms at Olson Elementary. The funds from this proposal will help us
continue our teaching buddy program, train more students and teachers in new science concepts and techniques,
help our students continue to build their ecological literacy, build a more passionate and profound understanding
and love of science and help us to continue our studies in natural areas around Allen.
Project Description: How will the project or program be implemented? Describe activities and tasks.
Who is the target population and in what ways will they benefit? (200 words or less)
Our Olson teachers (25 teachers), which are our target population, will continue taking their students on Field
Investigations throughout the school year (3 times in the Fall and 3 times in the Spring). Teaching Buddies (40 5th
and 6th graders) will continue to provide classroom and outdoor lessons for their buddy classrooms. The teaching
buddies will meet twice during each month to plan lessons, learn how to utilize technology software and apps for
iDevices. We will record real time data of the biotic and abiotic communities (GPS readings, photographs,
weather conditions) in the field using technology and iDevices. We will enter that field data in apps, such as,
Project Noah, Creek Watch, Nature’s Notebook, and iNaturalist. Each app is linked to its own national database.
This data will track our progress throughout the school year and help us see change through the seasons and
over time. It will also link us to other classrooms around the globe. Teaching buddies will also work in these
classrooms showing students and teachers how the information is entered and stored in each app. Utilizing
technology as a tool for outdoor learning will help us build stronger science knowledge and skills.
Foundation For Allen Schools: 2013-14 Educational Grant Application
Allen ISD Goals/TEKS: Which Allen ISD goals/TEKS does this project support? Limit to top two or three
examples. (50 words or less)
K and 1st grade classrooms should spend 80% of the science curriculum and instruction in field based and/or lab
experiences. (2nd and 3rd grade 60%/4th and 5th grade 50%). We have created meaningful instructional
opportunities using our field investigation experiences.
TEKS K.2-5.2 A, B, & C & TEKS K.9-5.9
Measurements: What specific measurements will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the project?
(100 words or less)
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We will document the outcomes of our experiences using iPad and iTouch technology and devices as
electronic journals.
Informal surveys (created by students through Google Documents) will be given to measure the
ecological literacy of the students, parents, and teachers within our school community.
Informal evaluations will be completed after workshops and learning session.
Formal assessments will measure student scores on district benchmark tests and state exams. The
implementation of the new science TEKS and new STAAR test will give us a good picture of our
ecological understandings.
Use continuous evaluations of our progress through our monthly field investigation.
Teaching Methods: What teaching methods will be used to implement this project? (100 words or less)
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We will use methods of place-based education throughout the duration of the project.
We will continuously use the methods of experiential education.
We will use lessons of inquiry and discovery following the 5 E model of scientific learning (Engage,
Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate)
We will continuously use our Allen ISD curriculum guide and documents as reference to our science
instruction.
We will utilize an Ecological Framework (Biosphere, Lithosphere, Hydrosphere and Atmosphere) “to
improve environmental literacy”. The Ecological Framework teaching model has been shared and
presented at local, state and national conferences.
Timeline for project: Funds will be available after September 1, 2013. (50 words or less)
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We will conduct 6 Field Investigations throughout the school year.
New teaching buddies will be trained and assigned to classrooms beginning in October.
Students will document our experiences using iDevices and applications throughout the year.
We will participate in service projects, community events and activities throughout the school year.
Curriculum/System Support: Explain how this idea or project enhances/supports Allen ISD curriculum or
existing systems. (100 words or less)
The Ecoliteracy Project @ Olson Elementary will continue collaborative efforts with the City of Allen Parks and
Recreation, Community Services, Keep Allen Beautiful, Recreational Equipment, Inc., and Connemara
Conservancy. These collaborative efforts involve programs, lessons, teaching and learning opportunities that
continue to build environmental/ecological awareness and stewardship while enhancing our districts goals,
mission statement, and beliefs by integrating science, math, reading, social studies and language arts throughout
each of the grade levels. By building sense of place and a deeper understanding of our ecological address
teachers and students will also be able to extend their knowledge base of our community.
Additional Comments: Include any additional comments or information. (100 words or less)
The first four years at Olson Elementary have proven to be a great success involving our students and teachers in
opportunities for training from field scientist and experts in nature education. We have been able to visit facilities
and programs that have increased our knowledge base and changed the way we see the world around us. We
will utilize the technology and iDevices that we have purchased through other grant funds and sources over the
last four years. Students and teachers will also utilize the natural areas around the school to collect more data for
our app databases.
Foundation For Allen Schools: 2013-14 Educational Grant Application
Grant Budget: specific product numbers, vendor addresses, etc. are not required on this budget page.
The name of the product or the type of training or estimated cost of transportation is sufficient.
*Please round numbers to the nearest dollar amount.
Instructional Supplies or Resources:
(Books, Manipulatives, etc.)
Total: $
Technology:
(Software, License, etc.)
Staff Training / Staff Development:
Total: $
Transportation:
4 buses @ $55 per bus
6 trips throughout the year
$220
Total:
$1320
Other Expenses:
TOTAL AMOUNT REQUESTED
$
Additional Funds: Are there any additional funds available for this grant? Campus or district funds? PTA funds?
If you have or will be seeking funds from any other sources to help with this project, please explain.
We continuously seek grant funding to build on our outdoor learning experiences. We have the ability to
purchase apps and current technologies through previous grant funds. We also have some funding and a
tremendous amount of support through our campus administration.