PO BOX 2014
Wallingford, CT 06492
Phone: (203) 949-6532
Wallingford, CT 06492
Phone: (203) 949-6532
Mini-Grants, 2008-2009 |
 From left to right - Matt Walz (Managing Editor), Noah Morgenstein (Editor-in-Chief), and Mikhail Davis (Graphics and Design Editor)
Journalism/ Media Design Tech Upgrade
A note from the recipients: This project included the purchase of three Macbook laptop computers, one 24-inch iMac, and the newest edition of Adobe Creative Suite 4 software to revolutionize the publication of the student newspaper, The Trojan Times. The technology upgrade provided students with an authentic design and journalism experience that reflects current standards in the field of journalism. In addition to improving the quality of the newspaper, the new technology was used to re-design the literary magazine for the creative writing course to showcase their art, writing and other works while providing a realistic print media design environment.
From Mikhail Davis, student and graphics and design editor: The opportunity given to us through the WEF Grant is beyond description. With the grant, our journalism class purchased equipment that helps greatly in the process of putting together a quality newspaper. To say thank you in a more concrete way is not possible. As a group, we chose to spend the money on three Mac laptops and one 24” desktop Mac. The Mac is the most suitable for layout design and graphics. The power and performance granted to us from the graphics oriented Macs are unbelievable. It has streamlined the layout and editing process ten fold. Something we just could not see on a Windows laptop or desktop because they’re more aimed for professional industries and consumers. Before the grant we used Microsoft Publisher and Paint to layout and design the graphics for our newspaper. Because the Windows computers at our school did not have the capability to run more powerful programs such as Abobe InDesign and Photoshop to the best of their abilities, we had to settle for the native minimalistic Microsoft programs. From Ernie Rosa, Student: The WEF grant our journalism class has received has been a tremendous help to the productivity and overall image of our school newspaper. With this grant, we have been able o purchase three Mac laptops and a larger 24” Mac desktop. These machines allow us to accomplish things never before possible on the old Windows platform. Prior to the grant, we used school issued computers and primitive programs such as Microsoft Publisher and Paint, which confined us to stay within the limitations of that software. Nowadays, we have advanced programs like Adobe InDesign and Photoshop at our disposal, as well as access to a multitude of image and text editing software. As an editor, the organization tools provided by the Mac laptops are extremely useful, helping us to keep track of the numerous articles and images submitted by our reporters and staff. I cannot express my gratitude for this grant in words, so I’ll let the results speak for themselves. Please take a look at our old paper and compare it with our new design. The vast increase in productivity yielded to us because of these Mac computers will continue to benefit Lyman Hall journalism and the Trojan Times for years to come.
 Teachers Christopher Stone (left) and Charlotte Robbins receive their grant from Wallingford Education Foundation Chairman David Baker.
Young Scientists & Engineers
A note from the recipients: E.C. Stevens Elementary School, in collaboration with the Town of Wallingford’s Youth and Social Services, offered science and technology enrichment opportunities for students and parents from across the community. This program was divided into two sections. Section one included enrichment opportunities through science and technology clubs. The clubs were: the Young Astronaut Club of Wallingford (open to students in grades 4-8 in Wallingford), Buzz’s Buddies: To the Moon and Beyond (open to students in grades 1-3 at Stevens School), Robotics Club (open to students in grades 4 and 5 at Stevens School). Section two of this program included community science and technology nights open to the community at E.C. Stevens Elementary School and the Wallingford Public Library. These science and technology nights were offered collaboration with local and regional science institutions such as the Children’s Museum, Full Effect Productions, the Yale University Astronomy Department, the Manchester Community College Astronomy Department, retired Earth and Space Science Teacher James Heilman, NASA, Hamilton Sundstrand, the Franklin Institute (PA). All family science night events were open to the general public and were attended by over 600 students and parents. Environmental Explorations
A note from the recipients: This grant provided sixty 4th-grade students to use their own observations to explore and discover plant and animal characteristics, needs and life cycles in a plot of land at the school, and a similar study of land at the seacoast. Throughout the year, students studied the living and non-living components of each area and recorded the results of decomposition, seasonal changes, adaptations of plants and animals, and biodiversity. During visits to Long Island Sound, weathering, erosion and the human impact on the coastline were recorded. A “story” of their investigations was recorded in their science notebooks. Throughout the school year students explored and studied the living and non-living components that comprised their particular area. Students then communicated their findings with similar studies being done at elementary schools in Florida and Seattle, Washington. In observing the interdependency occurring in a habitat, students increased their appreciation for the environment. The project also enabled students to work effectively in teams investigating their environment and becoming aware of their responsibilities as citizens while furthering their understanding of science concepts.  Students at Stevens School using scientific instrumentation to study their environment.
Theater Art & Design Project
A note from the recipients: This project exposed students to the processes of set design and theater art. Through this opportunity to study the “behind-the-scenes” development of props, flats and other various set designs, students with an interest in theater arts were exposed to possible future career options in the performing arts combining art, drama and music. The project offered approximately 75 students an opportunity to see the relevance of authentic set and art design, lighting, sound, stage management, music and dramatic arts as they came together in a large school endeavor. Funds from this grant helped to re-canvass, repair and fabricate both existing and new stage flats and scenery; the design and painting of set scenes, flats and props; and paper mache needed for additional set items. Using Photos to Enhance Literacy & Math
A note from the recipients: This grant supplied approximately 60 kindergarten children with digital cameras to take photographs of familiar objects which were then used to construct 10 books which were used during reading and math studies. The idea was that kindergarten students would be more likely to adapt to reading if the topics were familiar to them. Books containing photos of people and things with which they are familiar helps to meet that need. The finished books were used to cover major topics and skill areas of the Language Arts Scope and Sequence: appreciation for books; story retelling; expansion of vocabulary; use of grammar skills; and Math skills such as recognizing patterns, whole numbers and basic shapes. |