HCPSS educators are incredible resources for identifying new and effective approaches to enhance student learning and respond to student needs as they evolve in our classrooms and schools. Bright Minds awards competitive annual grants to HCPSS teachers and school-based staff interested in delivering innovative instructional projects that help support student success, enrich teaching practices, strengthen school communities, and pilot important classroom projects.
This school year with funding from the Kahlert Foundation, Bright Minds awarded almost $25,000 in grants to fund 18 classroom projects that are being delivered in 29 schools and reaching more than 12,000 HCPSS students. Here are in-progress updates from three of these grant projects:
Ellicott Mills Middle School – Rocket Your Way through Math with Desmos
EMMS math teachers are increasing student conceptual understanding through a pilot of Desmos math materials for all Math 6 through Algebra 1 students during this school year. Students have access to engaging daily lessons and notes, independent practice, family support materials, and assessments. The EMMS Math Instructional Team Leader Stacy Spainer reports, “The entire math team and all EMMS students in grade 6 math through Algebra 1 have been thoroughly enjoying using the Desmos curriculum thanks to the Bright Minds grant we received! Students are actively engaged every day in dynamic and meaningful activities, and staff are seeing academic growth and progress like never before. Students are mastering concepts at a deeper level and showing greater understanding in their math courses. Many students typically grow by 3-5 points on MAP from Fall to Winter, but a large number of students this year grew by over 6 points! Some even grew by more than 10!”
Hammond High School – Integrating LabQuest Pros into the Curriculum
Part of the new Next Generation Science Standards alignment is to have students investigate phenomena and interpret results through a process of Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning. This grant project is funding the purchase of probes and sensors that improve the accuracy and process of data collection for students. The probes have been used by more than 600 students in GT Chemistry, AP Chemistry, GT Biology, Environmental Science, Advanced Physical Science, and AP Physics classes. For example, temperature probes allowed for more accurate data to be taken in a GT Chemistry global climate change simulation that correlated CO2 involvement in global temperature change. HHS Science Instructional Team Leader Callie Sibrian-Alas shared, “My students are SO THRILLED to have pH probes that measure so accurately! Their titration curves turned out beautifully and they said over and over again “this is SO COOL!” Just wanted to say “THANK YOU” again because this really takes learning to a whole new level!”
Thunder Hill Elementary School – Community Building & Crisis Care Kits
Bright Minds grant funds are being used to provide school staff with tools and resources to promote student belonging and well being, and to support students with trauma informed pedagogy. The grant supported the purchase of materials to create “Birds Nest” spaces in classrooms at each grade level that allow students to pause to address any social/emotional needs they have, calm down, and process feelings while remaining in the classroom and connected to their instructional education. THES Teacher on Assignment Megan Chrobak reported, “Data from students who completed the Culture of Equity and Excellence Survey confirms the impact of the social and emotional learning supports, including Birds Nests in each classroom. Students marked THES at a 4.42/5 for staff support for student safety and well-being (indicating it as relative strength of our school). Progress is also noted in the shift to behaviors/needs being managed in the classroom. As of March 2023, there was a 5% decrease in the disproportionality of office referrals for black students, and a decrease of 38.5% in the referral rate. For students identifying as two or more races, there was a 13.5% decrease in the referral rate. Instructionally, this correlated to a 4% increase in black students meeting the MAP Math Benchmark and a 41% increase in students identifying as two or more races meeting the benchmark in MAP math. Further, based on the Culture of Ethics and Equity Assessment, which is completed by students in Grades 3-5, students indicated a 4.49/5 score for being treated fairly and respected by adults. Over 73% of students indicated they trusted adults at school.”
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Contributions to Staff & Teacher Grants may be made to Bright Minds via our website: DONATE, or by check to the Bright Minds Foundation, 10910 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042. Please designate Teacher Grants in the comment field or on the memo line.
About Bright Minds Foundation
Bright Minds Foundation is the Howard County public schools education foundation. We work to ensure each child in Howard County has access to the education, resources, and opportunities they need to succeed at school and in life. We do this by bringing together community support for programs and initiatives that increase education access, equity, and innovation. Bright Minds programs respond to the urgent and ongoing needs of children in four areas: digital inclusion, literacy & kindergarten readiness, college access, and teacher support & classroom innovation. To learn more and contribute, please visit Bright Minds website.
