2008 Grant Proposal Details

An "OMSI" Experience   Howard Elementary

Total: $2000

Description:  Students are given a variety of enriching activities in the classroom by their teachers. However, Howard Elementary School students often receive little enriching activities beyond this. With over 80% of our school on free or reduced lunches, it is often very difficult for families to provide meaningful enriching activities. While it is easier for some schools and communities to fundraise for such activities, it is beyond the means of the majority of our school’s population. We would like to take the two Howard 5th grade classrooms on a trip to the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) for a day long science field trip. The students will explore the historic OMSI turbine hall, which has hands-on exhibits and labs. They will also visit the Earth and Life Science Halls, as well as the physics, chemistry and technology labs. Students will also be able to watch an IMAX movie and tour the USS Blueback Submarine.

Why is this important?  This project is important because many Howard students are not being exposed to the many excellent enriching activities available around our state. While many families do provide what they can for their children, it is difficult to finance such a field trip given our populations low SES ranking.

Who will be served?  We would be serving the Howard’s two 5th grade classrooms which have a total of 58 students.

How will this be evaluated?  We will evaluate the success of this project by examining the student scores on the Oregon State Science Assessment for the 5th graders. We will look at the level of achievement and interest students exhibit in science before and after the OMSI field trip.

Does this build on existing programs?  A field trip to OMSI covers many science subject areas as well as help build social skills. In our building, we use the “Science: Hands on Education” kits at each grade level which all contain elements presented in the exhibits and labs at OMSI. Teaching social skills with the Second Steps program is also a school-wide focus at Howard.

Budget:  $8.00 per student admission to OMSI x 55 students = $440.00 $5.50 per student admission to IMAX theater x 55 students = $302.50 $4.50 per student admission to USS Blueback Submarine x 55 students = $247.50 $1400.00 for 2 charter busses to transport students and chaperones to OMSI Total amount still needing funding: $390.00 for bus transportation

Proposal #:  54