3M Foundation Awards 3M Ingenuity Grants to Teachers

More than 24,000 elementary and middle school students around the nation are getting a lot more involved in their science, math and economics classes, thanks to the 3M Foundation and 82 inspired teachers.

These teachers (and their colleagues) received up to $3,500 each for professional development and supporting materials for their new ideas on engaging student interest in science, math and economics. Totaling $232,500, these grants will reach 669 classrooms in 13 states.

Here are two more of the many projects that impressed the 3M Foundation grant approvers this year:

St. Paul sixth-graders — ‘Technology in Science’
Skyview Community Middle School in the North St. Paul/Maplewood/Oakdale School District will use the grant to purchase more computer programs that help students understand difficult concepts concerning the Earth, sun, moon and weather processes.

Also, with these learning tools, the students’ computer skills and comfort levels will increase, thereby lessening any anxiety during the online Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment Tests taken by all fifth- and eighth-graders and once again in high school.

DeKalb, Ill., grade school — ‘Elementary machines and organisms’
More than $14,620 in multiple grants went to Lincoln Elementary School teachers for project materials that give students hands-on help in understanding science and math concepts. The money will buy special LEGO sets to construct machines previously seen only in textbooks.

Students build simple machines and learn about electricity through switches and circuits. Other classes will observe the basics of life using microscopes purchased with 3M Foundation funds.

To see a list of all 2008 3M Ingenuity Grant recipients, click here.