2016

Croton-Harmon High School

CHHS Theater Lighting System
CHEF funded an LED upgrade to the auditorium theater lighting system, enabling stage crew to produce visually impressive productions more safely and efficiently.

2015

Croton-Harmon High School

Environmental Science Research Scholarship Award
CHHS requested scholarship funding for innovation in environmental science research. The scholarship was available to student teams enrolled in the AP Environmental Science course in the 2014-15 school year. The mission for this scholarship was to demonstrate community support for student-centered STEAM-D research as it pertained to local and global environmental issues. The rationale for this scholarship award was to demonstrate support for innovative research and/or experimentation in which students educate themselves and others about important environmental issues impacting our community. The 2014-15 “Environmental Science Research Scholarship Award” acted as a pilot project to be evaluated and, if needed, modified so that it could become an annual scholarship award.

Pierre Van Cortlandt Middle School

Window Garden Initiative
A grant for this initiative allowed students to construct and operate a hydroponic window garden. As the PVC student writes: “… The initiative breaks the cycle of chronic deficiency of interdisciplinary communication, by bringing the latest hydroponic technologies out of the lab and into the classroom. By immersing students in the concept of reality behind theory, students will not only develop critical thinking skills, but initiative to take action based on that critical thinking.” Students were taking theoretical technologies and trying to apply it to a sustainable application.

Escape Room Field Trip
This grant allowed the 8th Grade to visit the Escape The Room NYC, in addition to the Reading a Building tour at the J.P. Morgan Library. As a pertinent part of the 8th grade curriculum, Escape the Room is a program that allows you to utilize and obtain valuable skills in metacognition, perseverance, resilience to failure, teamwork, human psychology, and natural instinct. Innovation, playing a key role, as students were exposed to the use of logic and work as a team as they never have before.

PVC/Croton Free Library Mobile Research Lab
This grant funded laptops and a mobile laptop cart allowing the library to hold workshops on everything from how to use Excel to Minecraft clubs. The laptops allow access to technology for the entire community to share knowledge and act as a  “research bridge” between PVC and the CFL. Having designated computers and an intentional “research bridge” between PVC and the CFL enables students to have greater opportunity to improve their research skills and knowledge.

PVC/Croton Free Library Makerspace
This grant funded Makerspace, a place for students to create things to enhance learning, collaborative process, problem solving, and enjoyment around learning. 3D printers encourage and allow students to engineer new projects and create prototypes. This lab functions as a free place, with open access to the community, to learn and experiment with cutting edge technology. The library partners with the school district by giving presentations to teachers and students on 3D modeling and printing. Students and community members, in turn, volunteer time in the library to continue to share their technological expertise with the community at large.