IN Brentwood-Baldwin-Whitehall Winter 2017 | Page 60

Brentwood
Borough
School
District
58 Brentwood-Baldwin-Whitehall
campaign, Art Teacher Barbara Girone, Technology
Teacher Kate Smeltz, Music Teacher Britta Schneider,
and Librarian Megan Casey applied for a grant
from the Intermediate unit. “We started with just
fourth grade, and really wanted to expand the
program to encompass all students in 1-5th grades,”
explained Mrs. Smeltz as the main reason behind the
application. In May of 2016, the teachers discovered
that they had been awarded the $20,000 grant,
and worked together to make the projects a reality
over the 2016-2017 school year for the students.
The money was used to buy Microsoft Surface Pro
computers, more Hummingbird Robotic Kits, and
Makey Makeys. The bulk of the building materials
for the projects were repurposed household items,
such as cardboard boxes, paper towel rolls, and old
magazines.
New projects, such as light up “Ugly Holiday
Sweaters” are on the horizon with fifth grade
students, as well as supporting a push/pull science
unit in kindergarten. The IS4I learning is engaging
our students with 21st century learning skills.