High School Grants 2017-2018

Adam Burns                Athens HS    Soundtracks and Scores with Community Music Studio
Athens TV will be expanded in an​ ​existing space​​ ​into a​​  ​music  ​studio.  An ​ interested​ group​ of​ musically​ talented ​ students​ launched the​ studio​ ​last year using​ ​existing​ ​ ​equipment, and ​ now will purchase ​upgrades​ to​ make it​ a​ ​more​ ​ ​professional-grade ​studio.  Grant funds will be used to purchase a MIDI board.  This allows for easy creation and mixing of music.  ​One​ ​of​ ​the​​ ​core founding​ ​principles​ of​ the Community​ Studio is ​that​ it​ ​would​ be ​​available​ to​ ​any ​student ​interested ​in recording. ​ ​In​ ​exchange​ ​for​ ​using ​​this space, music​ created​ ​is​ ​used​ ​for​ ​Athens​ ​TV​ projects.​  ​One​ ​such​ ​project​ ​won the​ ​Michigan​ ​Student​ ​Emmy Award ​for​ ​Best​​ Music ​Video.  It was​ a​ successful collaboration​ between​ musicians and video​ ​students. ​ ​The​ culmination ​ of​​ the​ first​ ​year​ of​ ​the studio​​ ​was ​​the ​Athens​ ​Fringe​​ ​Fest,​ ​a​ music,​​ ​film,​ ​and​ ​arts​ ​festival.  The Fringe Fest was planned entirely​ ​by students, ​free to​ ​ attend​ ​ and​  ​​featured​ ​student​ ​performers.  ​​An​ ​estimated​ ​500 people attended.​[1] 
 
Tim Heath                   Athens HS                  CNC Machine 
​Engineering​ ​students​ ​will​ ​learn​ ​how​ ​to​ ​program​ ​a​ ​CNC​ ​machine​ ​(computer​ ​numerical control)​ ​to​ ​machine​ ​both​ ​long​ ​and​ ​short-run​ ​production​ ​items. Engineering​ ​students​ ​will​ ​program​ ​various​ ​models​ ​(created​ ​using​ ​computer software)​ ​to​ ​control​ ​the​ ​movement​ ​of​ ​machine​ ​tools​ ​on​ ​a​ ​CNC​ ​machine​ ​and​ ​​ ​manufacture​ ​parts​ ​as​ ​is done​ ​in​ ​industry.  The project requires the acquisition of​ a CNC​ ​machine,​ ​router​ ​for​ ​the​ ​machine,​ ​and​ ​sound​ ​proof​ ​glass surrounding​ ​the​ ​machine.  Funds from the TFEE Grant will be matched with other funding to complete the project.
 
​Luba Sordy                  Athens HS                  Professional Photographer Project
​Students​ ​will​ ​experience​ ​personal​ ​growth​ ​to​ ​expand​ ​their​ ​knowledge​ ​of​ ​photography by​ ​collaborating​ ​with​ ​a​ ​local​ ​​ ​professional​ ​photographer​, Joshua Hanford, on​ ​a​ ​class​ ​project.​ ​​ ​​ ​Students​ ​will​ ​work​ ​side​ ​by side​ ​with​ ​a​ ​professional​ ​to​ ​enhance​ ​creativity​ ​in​ ​personal​ ​portfolios.  ​​ ​Students​ ​will​ ​learn camera​ ​skills​ ​and​ ​editing​ ​tools​ ​needed​ ​in​ ​creating​ ​professional​ ​photographs​ ​for​ ​websites.​ ​​ ​Students​ ​will be​ ​able​ ​to​ ​ask​ ​questions​ ​related​ ​to​ ​the​ ​field​ ​of​ ​photography​ ​and​ ​get​ ​answers​ ​from​ ​a​ ​professional. Students​ ​will​ ​have​ ​hands​ ​on​ ​opportunity​ ​to​ ​ask​ ​questions​ ​and​ ​work​ ​on​ ​a​ ​project​ ​with​ ​the​ ​photographer.    Every​ ​student​ ​will​ ​have​ ​one​ ​final edited​ ​image​ ​from​ ​this​ ​activity​ ​to​ ​add​ ​to​ ​his​ ​or​ ​her​ ​final​ ​portfolio.​ ​​ ​Activities​ ​will​ ​be​ ​posted​ ​on​ ​Photography website.​ ​​ ​Video​ ​of​ ​the​ ​experience​ ​will​ ​be​ ​recorded.​ ​​ ​Students​ ​will​ ​have​ ​personal​ ​images​ ​from​ ​this experience​ ​to​ ​add​ ​to​ ​personal​ ​websites​ ​and​ ​portfolios.
 
Ryan Quinn              Athens HS                    Bring Moxie Strings to Athens
The​ ​performance​ ​group​ ​Moxie​ ​Strings​ ​will perform at​ ​Athens High​ ​School.​ ​ They​ ​will​ ​work​ ​with​ ​the​ ​Athens​ ​High​ ​School​ ​Orchestra​ ​students​ ​in​ ​a​ ​workshop​ ​during​ ​the school​ ​day and​ ​then​ ​will​ ​perform​ ​a​ ​concert​ ​in​ ​the​ ​evening​ ​with​ ​the​ ​help​ ​of​ ​the​ ​orchestra​ ​students.   ​The​ ​Moxie​ ​Strings​ ​focus​ ​on​ ​alternative​ ​styles​ ​such​ ​as​ ​Celtic​ ​fiddling​ ​and​ ​improvisation. This​ ​will​ ​be​ ​a​ ​great​ ​learning​ ​opportunity​ ​for​ ​our​ ​students​ ​to​ ​learn​ ​how​ ​to​ ​improvise​ ​and​ ​learn​ ​new techniques​ ​outside​ ​of​ ​classical​ ​music.  ​In​ ​the​ ​evening​ ​after​ ​the​ ​workshop, the​ ​Moxie​ ​Strings​ ​will​ ​perform​ ​for​ ​our​ ​community​ ​and​ ​the​ ​Athens​ ​Orchestra​ ​students​ ​will get​ ​a​ ​chance​ ​to​ perform​ ​with​ ​this​ ​professional group​ ​in​ ​concert.​  Students will perform​ ​the material​ ​that​ ​they​ ​learned​ ​during​ ​the​ ​workshop.​[1]

Staci Vaught               Athens H S                 BYOD Workspaces
The Athens Media Center will be updated by acquisition of Atlantic​ ​Furniture​ ​Lexi​ ​Walnut​ ​Wood​ ​Printer​ ​Stands​ ​and​ ​USB​ ​Charging​ ​Stations.   This will respond to a need of students​ ​for ​additional​ ​places​ ​to​ ​plug​ ​in​ ​device and​ ​additional​ ​laptop​ ​work​ ​space. 
 
Rebecca Brewer        Troy HS                      Active Learning in A P Biology
"Active​ ​Learning​ ​in​ ​A P ​Biology",​will ​ give​ A P​ Biology​​ ​students​ greater​ access​ to​ hands-on manipulatives ​that​ ​enable​ ​them to​ uncover​​ ​college-level​ ​biological​ concepts,​ ​while​ also​​ applying​ their understanding to​ novel​ ​scenarios.​ ​From​ ​having​ ​students​ ​construct​ ​visual​ models ​to​​ using principles​ of​ engineering ​ to​​ design​​ hypothetical​​ solutions​ to​ real​​ world​ problems, students will acquire​ ​deeper learning while​ promoting​ ​greater​​ ​collaboration​ ​and​ ​sense-making​ ​in​ the​ classroom.
 
Toni Issac                   Troy HS                      Standing Kiosk For Library Automated Catalog
​A​ ​secure​ ​stand​ ​for​ ​an​ ​iPad​ ​that​ ​students​ ​will​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to​ ​use​ ​to​ ​find​ ​books​ ​in​ ​the media​ ​center without requesting assistance will be purchased.​ ​Finding​ ​call​ ​numbers​ ​for​ ​books​ ​is​ ​an​ ​important​ ​step​ ​in​ ​locating​ ​titles​ ​on​ ​the​ ​shelves.​ ​ ​An​ ​iPad​ ​stand​ ​will​ ​make​ ​it​ ​possible​ ​to​ ​create​ ​a​ ​place​ ​for students​ ​to​ ​quickly​ ​and​ ​conveniently​ ​look​ ​up​ ​books​ ​so​ ​that​ ​they​ ​can​ ​locate​ ​them​ ​on​ ​the​ ​shelves,​ ​and​ ​it will ​keep​ ​the​ ​iPad​ ​secure​ ​from​ ​theft.
 
Travis Balogh            Troy HS                      Manufacturing Lab Update
The​ ​money​ ​requested​ ​will​ ​partially fund​ ​updating​ ​the​ ​Manufacturing​ ​Lab​ ​with​ ​modern, safer​ ​machines​ ​that​ ​will​ ​enable​ ​students​ ​to​ ​complete​ ​projects​ ​that​ ​work​ ​with​ ​today's​ ​standards.  Items to purchase include a Drill​ ​Press​,​ ​Band​ ​Saw​, and​ ​Drum​ ​Sander​.   The​ ​update​ ​will​ ​help​ ​students​ ​learn​ ​on​ ​modern​ ​machines​ ​that​ ​have​ ​safety​ ​equipment built​ ​into​ ​them.​ ​This​ ​will​ ​enable​ ​students​ ​to​ ​learn​ ​how​ ​to​ ​problem​ ​solve​ ​and​ ​work​ ​on​ ​projects​ ​more efficiently​ ​and​ ​effectively.
 
Autumn Spiteri           Troy HS                      Whiteboard Collaboration
Whiteboards,​ ​expo​ ​markers,​ ​and​ ​chalk​ ​markers​​​ ​will​ ​​ ​allow​ ​students​ ​to​ ​realize​ ​they​ ​must​ ​ultimately be​ ​accountable​ ​for​ ​their​ ​own​ ​learning,​ ​and​ ​let​ ​them​ ​do​ ​so.​ ​This​ ​will​ ​also​ ​help​ ​to​ ​de-emphasize​ ​teacher lectures​ ​and​ ​fact​ ​memorization. The result will be to engage​ ​students​ ​in​ ​a​ ​collaborative​ ​learning​ ​community,​ ​provide​ ​a​ ​concrete venue​ ​to​ ​ground​ ​student​ ​discussion​ ​of​ ​experiments​ ​and​ ​problems,​ ​foster​ ​student​ ​dialog​ ​by​ ​providing venue,​ ​expectations,​ ​opportunity​ ​as​ ​regular​ ​classroom​ ​practice,​ ​​foster​ ​alternative​ ​representations​ ​of problems​ ​by​ ​sketches,​ ​graphs,​ ​system​ ​maps,​ ​motion​ ​diagrams,​ ​pie​ ​charts,​ ​equations,​ ​and ​greatly increase​ ​student​ ​dialog,  Students will now use ​class​ ​time​ ​to​ ​discuss​ ​ideas​ ​rather​ hear them presented​  ​and​ ​to​ ​think​ ​math​ ​and science​ ​rather​ ​than​ ​watch​ ​it​ ​done.
 
Virginia Riolo             Troy HS                     21st Century Computer Classroom​
Making​ ​a​ ​few​ ​inexpensive​ ​changes​ ​to​ ​the​ ​classroom​ ​will​ ​help​ ​to​ ​accommodate​ ​the​ ​needs​ ​of​ ​Autistic​ ​and ADHD​ ​students​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​create​ ​a​ ​more​ ​comfortable​ ​space​ ​for​ ​the​ ​general​ ​population.    ​By​ ​painting​ ​the​ ​walls​ ​an​ ​emotion​ ​neutral​ ​color,​ ​adding​ ​a​ ​few​ ​pieces​ ​of​ ​relaxed​ ​furniture, reducing​ ​noise​ ​from​ ​the​ ​neighboring​ ​classroom,​ ​using​ ​more​ ​natural​ ​light​ ​and​ ​adding​ ​some​ ​modern decorative​ ​artwork,​ ​all​ ​students​ ​will​ ​feel​ ​an​ ​atmosphere​ ​of​ ​casual​ ​respect.  ​The​ ​classroom​ ​will​ ​be​ ​redesigned​ ​from​ ​an​ ​older-style​ ​computer​Staci Vaught                        Athens HS                 BYOD Workspaces
The Athens Media Center will be updated by acquisition of Atlantic​ ​Furniture​ ​Lexi​ ​Walnut​ ​Wood​ ​Printer​ ​Stands​ ​and​ ​USB​ ​Charging​ ​Stations.   This will respond to a need of students​ ​for ​additional​ ​places​ ​to​ ​plug​ ​in​ ​device and​ ​additional​ ​laptop​ ​work​ ​space. 
 
Rebecca Brewer        Troy HS                      Active Learning in A P Biology
"Active​ ​Learning​ ​in​ ​A P ​Biology",​will ​ give​ A P​ Biology​​ ​students​ greater​ access​ to​    ​ hands-on manipulatives ​that​ ​enable​ ​them to​ uncover​​ ​college-level​ ​biological​ concepts,​ ​while​ also​​ applying​ their understanding to​ novel​ ​scenarios.​ ​From​ ​having​ ​students​ ​construct​ ​visual​ models ​to​​ using principles​ of​ engineering ​ to​​ design​​ hypothetical​​ solutions​ to​ real​​ world​ problems, students will acquire​ ​deeper learning while​ promoting​ ​greater​​ ​collaboration​ ​and​ ​sense-making​ ​in​ the​ classroom.
 
Toni Issac                   Troy HS                      Standing Kiosk For Library Automated Catalog
​A​ ​secure​ ​stand​ ​for​ ​an​ ​iPad​ ​that​ ​students​ ​will​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to​ ​use​ ​to​ ​find​ ​books​ ​in​ ​the media​ ​center without requesting assistance will be purchased.​ ​Finding​ ​call​ ​numbers​ ​for​ ​books​ ​is​ ​an​ ​important​ ​step​ ​in​ ​locating​ ​titles​ ​on​ ​the​ ​shelves.​ ​ ​An​ ​iPad​ ​stand​ ​will​ ​make​ ​it​ ​possible​ ​to​ ​create​ ​a​ ​place​ ​for students​ ​to​ ​quickly​ ​and​ ​conveniently​ ​look​ ​up​ ​books​ ​so​ ​that​ ​they​ ​can​ ​locate​ ​them​ ​on​ ​the​ ​shelves,​ ​and​ ​it will ​keep​ ​the​ ​iPad​ ​secure​ ​from​ ​theft.
 
Travis Balogh            Troy HS                      Manufacturing Lab Update
The​ ​money​ ​requested​ ​will​ ​partially fund​ ​updating​ ​the​ ​Manufacturing​ ​Lab​ ​with​ ​modern, safer​ ​machines​ ​that​ ​will​ ​enable​ ​students​ ​to​ ​complete​ ​projects​ ​that​ ​work​ ​with​ ​today's​ ​standards.  Items to purchase include a Drill​ ​Press​,​ ​Band​ ​Saw​, and​ ​Drum​ ​Sander​.   The​ ​update​ ​will​ ​help​ ​students​ ​learn​ ​on​ ​modern​ ​machines​ ​that​ ​have​ ​safety​ ​equipment built​ ​into​ ​them.​ ​This​ ​will​ ​enable​ ​students​ ​to​ ​learn​ ​how​ ​to​ ​problem​ ​solve​ ​and​ ​work​ ​on​ ​projects​ ​more efficiently​ ​and​ ​effectively.
 
Autumn Spiteri           Troy HS                      Whiteboard Collaboration
Whiteboards,​ ​expo​ ​markers,​ ​and​ ​chalk​ ​markers​​​ ​will​ ​​ ​allow​ ​students​ ​to​ ​realize​ ​they​ ​must​ ​ultimately be​ ​accountable​ ​for​ ​their​ ​own​ ​learning,​ ​and​ ​let​ ​them​ ​do​ ​so.​ ​This​ ​will​ ​also​ ​help​ ​to​ ​de-emphasize​ ​teacher lectures​ ​and​ ​fact​ ​memorization. The result will be to engage​ ​students​ ​in​ ​a​ ​collaborative​ ​learning​ ​community,​ ​provide​ ​a​ ​concrete venue​ ​to​ ​ground​ ​student​ ​discussion​ ​of​ ​experiments​ ​and​ ​problems,​ ​foster​ ​student​ ​dialog​ ​by​ ​providing venue,​ ​expectations,​ ​opportunity​ ​as​ ​regular​ ​classroom​ ​practice,​ ​​foster​ ​alternative​ ​representations​ ​of problems​ ​by​ ​sketches,​ ​graphs,​ ​system​ ​maps,​ ​motion​ ​diagrams,​ ​pie​ ​charts,​ ​equations,​ ​and ​greatly increase​ ​student​ ​dialog,  Students will now use ​class​ ​time​ ​to​ ​discuss​ ​ideas​ ​rather​ hear them presented​  ​and​ ​to​ ​think​ ​math​ ​and science​ ​rather​ ​than​ ​watch​ ​it​ ​done.
 
Virginia Riolo             Troy HS                     21st Century Computer Classroom​
Making​ ​a​ ​few​ ​inexpensive​ ​changes​ ​to​ ​the​ ​classroom​ ​will​ ​help​ ​to​ ​accommodate​ ​the​ ​needs​ ​of​ ​Autistic​ ​and ADHD​ ​students​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​create​ ​a​ ​more​ ​comfortable​ ​space​ ​for​ ​the​ ​general​ ​population.    ​By​ ​painting​ ​the​ ​walls​ ​an​ ​emotion​ ​neutral​ ​color,​ ​adding​ ​a​ ​few​ ​pieces​ ​of​ ​relaxed​ ​furniture, reducing​ ​noise​ ​from​ ​the​ ​neighboring​ ​classroom,​ ​using​ ​more​ ​natural​ ​light​ ​and​ ​adding​ ​some​ ​modern decorative​ ​artwork,​ ​all​ ​students​ ​will​ ​feel​ ​an​ ​atmosphere​ ​of​ ​casual​ ​respect.  ​The​ ​classroom​ ​will​ ​be​ ​redesigned​ ​from​ ​an​ ​older-style​ ​computer​  classroom​ ​with​ ​gray and​ ​beige​ ​furnishings​ ​to​ ​one​ ​with​ ​a​ ​more​ ​learner​ ​friendly​ ​setting.​ ​​ ​A​ ​green​ ​color​ ​for​ ​the​ ​walls​ ​will​ ​promote neutral​ ​emotions​ ​that​ ​will​ ​help​ ​to​ ​calm​ ​our​ ​Autistic​ ​and​ ​ADHD​ ​students.​ ​​ ​More​ ​natural​ ​light​ ​will​ ​help​ ​our special​ ​needs​ ​students.​ ​​ ​A​ ​few​ ​flexible​ ​seating​ ​options​ ​will​ ​be​ ​added​ ​that​ ​will​ ​create​ ​pockets​ ​for​ ​group collaborating​ ​while​ ​still​ ​maintaining​ ​space​ ​that​ ​meets​ ​the​ ​ergonomic​ ​needs​ ​for​ ​computer​ ​work.​ ​​ ​Adding some​ ​modern​ ​artwork​ ​created​ ​by​ ​our​ ​students​​ ​will​ ​foster​ ​a​ ​feeling​ ​of​ ​ownership.

Joseph Moceri           Troy HS                      Finch Robot
Students at ​Troy​ ​High,​ ​Boulan​ ​Park​ ​Middle​ ​School,​ ​Smith​ ​Middle​ ​School will work with Finch Robots.  ​Finch​ ​Robots​ ​are​ ​used​ ​to​ ​teach​ ​STEM​ ​concepts,​ ​namely​ ​technology,​ ​engineering, and​ ​mathematics.​ ​​ ​Students​ ​write​ ​the​ ​code​ ​to​ ​program​ ​the​ ​robots​ ​to​ ​perform​ ​tasks. ​The​ ​robots​ ​give​ ​students​ ​hands​ ​on​ ​experiences​ ​in​ ​writing​ ​code and​ ​directing​ ​robots​ ​to​ ​perform​ ​specific​ ​task​s.    Students​ will ​put​ ​the​ ​robots​ ​through​ ​a​ ​road​ ​course​ ​to​ ​get​ ​from​ ​point​ ​A​ ​to​ ​point​ ​B​ ​using​ ​their coding​ ​and​ ​design​ ​skills.
 
Kate Hoin                   Troy HS                      News In Slow Spanish
Students​ ​will​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to​ ​improve​ ​their​ ​listening​ ​comprehension​ ​at​ ​both​ ​the intermediate​ ​and​ ​advanced​ ​levels by using​ ​“Slow​ ​News​ ​in​ ​Spanish”.  This audio subscription​ ​lets​ ​you​ ​adjust​ ​the​ ​news​ ​to​ ​certain speeds,​ ​and​ ​comes​ ​with​ ​additional​ ​resources​ ​to​ ​help​ ​students​ ​unpack​ ​and​ ​understand​ ​the​ ​audio​ ​they​ ​are listening​ ​to,​ ​read​ ​to​ ​them​ ​by​ ​Native​ ​Speakers.​ ​As​ ​we​ ​push​ ​students​ ​toward​ ​proficiency​ ​and​ ​to​ ​college level​ ​or​ ​AP​ ​Spanish​ ​courses,​ ​they​ ​need​ ​all​ ​the​ ​authentic​ ​input​ ​they​ ​can​ ​get,​ ​and​ ​this​ ​program​ ​is​ ​a phenomenal​ ​and​ ​interesting​ ​way​ ​to​ ​do​ ​so​ ​each​ ​week.​ ​  Both​ ​the​ ​intermediate​ ​and​ ​advanced​ ​weekly​ ​programs​ ​allow​ ​students​ ​to​ ​listen​ ​to​ ​a​ ​normal​ ​speed conversation​ ​in​ ​real​ ​everyday​ ​Spanish.​ ​They​ ​will​ ​improve​ ​their​ ​oral​ ​and​ ​reading​ ​comprehension​ ​of​ ​the language,​ ​and​ ​be​ ​more​ ​attuned​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Spanish​ ​mind​ ​and​ ​way​ ​of​ ​regarding​ ​at​ ​the​ ​news.​ ​Each​ ​week​ ​the program​ ​hosts​ ​will​ ​share​ ​with​ ​you​ ​their​ ​views​ ​on​ ​international​ ​and​ ​Spanish​ ​events​ ​and​ ​help​ ​students​ ​think and​ ​feel​ ​as​ ​a​ ​native-speaker​ ​of​ ​Spanish. 
 
Kathryn Robles          Troy HS                      Whiteboards in Chemistry Everywhere
Students​ ​will​ ​use​ ​whiteboards​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​chalk​ ​markers​ ​on​ ​our​ ​​tables​ ​in​ ​the classroom​ ​to​ ​collaborate​ ​with​ ​each​ ​other.​ They will ​also​ ​use​ ​personal​ ​"lap​ ​sized"​ ​whiteboards​ ​as​ ​a​ ​type​ ​of formative​ ​assessment​ ​on​ ​a​ ​daily​ ​basis.​ ​​ ​The​ ​whiteboards​ ​can​ ​easily​ ​be​ ​edited​ ​or​ ​be​ ​saved​ ​in​ ​the​ ​form​ ​of pictures.  ​The use of whiteboards will ​make​ ​my​ ​classroom​ ​more​ ​collaborative.​ They will have ​a​ ​"non-permanent"​ ​mechanism​ ​to​ ​jot​ ​down​ ​ideas,​ ​share​ ​lab​ ​data,​ ​practice Chemistry​ ​problems,​ ​etc.​ ​​ ​Technology is present to​ ​quickly​ ​take​ ​pictures​ ​of​ ​any and​ ​all​ ​whiteboards​ ​and​ ​get​ ​them​ ​on​ ​the​ ​front​ ​SMART Board​ ​for​ ​everyone​ ​to​ ​see.​ ​​  ​​ ​Students​ will be​ ​able​ ​to​ ​get​ ​their​ ​ideas​ ​down​ ​somewhere​ ​and​ ​know​ ​that they​ ​can​ ​easily​ ​change​ ​their​ ​mind​ ​and​ ​simply​ ​erase.​ ​​ They will​ ​visualize​ ​Chemistry​ ​better​ ​at​ ​the​ ​particle​ ​level.​ ​​ ​  
 
Jacqueline Ciolek      Troy HS      Student Centered Differentiated Flexible Seating
​Students with multiple​ ​needs​ ​and​ ​learning​ ​styles​ ​that​ ​often​ ​go​ ​unmet will experience ​classrooms​ ​that​ ​meet​ ​the​ ​specific​ ​needs​ ​of​ ​each​ ​student often outlined in an Individual Educational Plan. Three classrooms will have a​ ​wing​ that​ ​has​ ​a cohesive​ ​learning​ ​environment​ ​for​ ​all​ ​students. ​In​ ​their mainstream​ ​classrooms. ​there ​will be special accommodations to meet individual​ ​specific​ ​needs​. ​ ​In​ ​most IEPs ​the​ ​student​ ​needs​ ​special​ ​seating,​​ time​ ​to​ ​get​ ​up​ ​and​ ​change learning​ ​spaces,​ ​and​ ​tools​ ​to​ ​let​ ​them​ ​move/fidget​ ​to​ ​feel​ ​less​ ​anxious​ ​and​ ​more​ ​comfortable​ ​and​ ​ready​ ​to learn.​  

Lindsay Nobel            Troy H S      Student Centered Differentiated Flexible Seating
​Students with multiple​ ​needs​ ​and​ ​learning​ ​styles​ ​that​ ​often​ ​go​ ​unmet will experience ​classrooms​ ​that​ ​meet​ ​the​ ​specific​ ​needs​ ​of​ ​each​ ​student often outlined in and Individual Educational Plan. Three classrooms will have a​ ​wing​ that​ ​has​ ​a cohesive​ ​learning​ ​environment​ ​for​ ​all​ ​students. ​In​ ​there mainstream​ ​classrooms,​ ​there ​will be special accommodations  to meet individual​ ​specific​ ​needs​. ​ ​In​ ​most IEPs ​the​ ​student​ ​needs​ ​special​ ​seating,​ ​time​ ​to​ ​get​ ​up​ ​and​ ​change learning​ ​spaces,​ ​and​ ​tools​ ​to​ ​let​ ​them​ ​move/fidget​ ​to​ ​feel​ ​less​ ​anxious​ ​and​ ​more​ ​comfortable​ ​and​ ​ready​ ​to learn.​  
 
Lisa Dziaczak      Troy Center For Transition    Practical Assessment Exploration System
PAES​ (​Practical ​Assessment​ ​Exploration​​ System)​ Lab is used​ on​ a daily​ ​basis​ ​to​ ​support​ ​our ​ students as they transition into everyday living.  ​ Students​ from​ ​​the​ ​High ​​School​s ​in​ ​the​ ​Troy School​ District and from across Oakland County ​work at​​ their​ own​ pace. The program ​promotes​ ​​self-advocacy​ and​ prepares​ ​students ​for the ​workplace.​ With software updates and additional supplies and materials the grant will provide students​ will be able to ​ find​ where ​their​ areas​​ ​of strength and identify ​what​ job​ categories​ ​are​ ​most ​ challenging.  There​ ​are​ ​300​ ​jobs​ ​in​ ​the​ ​PAES​ ​Lab​ ​in​ ​five​ ​different​ ​categories: ​ Consumer​ Services,​ Processing​ and Production, ​Computer Technology,​ Construction,​ ​and​ Business/Marketing.  Students​ ​are​ ​asked​ ​to​ ​do​ things​​ they​ may​ ​have never​ learned​​ before,​ which​ is​ ​why ​​the visual supports/materials​ in​ the​ lab​ ​are crucial.​
 
Brynn Lawrence    Troy Center For Transition                  Interactive Learning with the Q Ball
The​ ​throwable​ ​wireless​ ​microphone ​is perfect for classrooms,​ conference​ ​ rooms,​ events​ ​and​ ​even ​ Karaoke!  It has CD​ quality​ sound,​​10+ hours​​ of​t talk time,​ and​ ​​a ​range ​​of​ up​ to​ ​75 feet!​ ​ ​The ​​microphone automatically​ ​shuts​ ​off​ ​while​ ​in​ ​flight​ ​so​ ​you​ don't​    ​ ​get​ ​any ​unwanted​ ​thumps or​ bumps over​​ the​ speakers.​ The​ ​Qball​ ​also​ ​features​ ​our​ ​exclusive​ ​Battery-Saver​ ​feature.​ ​If​ ​no​ movement​ ​is​ ​detected​ ​for​ 10​​ ​minutes, the​ ​Qball​ ​will ​ automatically​​ ​go into​​ standby​ mode​ ​to​ save​​ ​on​ ​power.​  ​To​ ​wake​ it​​ ​up,​ ​just​ ​give ​​the​ ​Qball​ ​a shake ​ and​​ it​​ ​will​ ​automatically​ ​reconnect​ ​and​ ​be​ ​ready​ ​for​ ​action. Our​ ​students​ ​love​ ​technology!​ ​They​ ​are​ ​excited​ ​by​ ​learning​ ​to ​ use​ new​ ​ technology devices ​and​​ this​​ device​​ will​ ​allow​ our ​students​ to​​ have​ ​​their​ ​sensory needs​ ​ met​ ​and ​ ​support our​ students ​ ​with​ ​hearing​ ​difficulties​ ​as​ ​well.​ ​The​ ​Q-ball​ ​is​ ​an​ innovative​​  tool​​ to​​ bring​ left​     ​  brain/right brain​ learners​ ​together ​and ​ encourages​ teamwork​​ and​ ​attentiveness.​
 
Renee Boogren      TCCHS                                       Astronomy NGSS
Astronomy​ ​is​ ​part​ ​of​ ​the​ ​group​ ​of​ ​Science​ ​Classes ​ that​​ are​​ ​taught​ at​​ Troy College and Career High School. ​ The Stellar​ ​Light​ ​and​ ​Temperature​ ​Kit,​ ​the​ ​Earth-Sun​ ​Motion​ ​Lab​ ​Activity,​ ​the​ ​Doppler ​ Effect​​ Demo. ​ And​ the Sun​ ​Tracking​ ​Hemispheres will be used to promote students​ to ​look​ for​ patterns,​​ ​construct​ explanations,​ design​ ​solutions​ and​ obtain​​ evidence as part of a revised curriculum for the Astronomy class. This revision is based on ​​ ​NGSX: ​ The​ Next Generation ​ Science​​ Exemplar​​ PD​ System for ​ Science​ Educators.  ​This​ ​was​ ​developed​ ​as ​ a​​ new​ ​vision for​ science​ ​education ​ ​for​ ​teachers​ ​through Modeling, ​ Argumentation​ and​ ​ Explanation​ ​ and​ is aligned ​ ​with ​​the ​new Michigan​ ​Science​ Standards.  The​​ ​hope​ ​is ​ ​that ​ ​by​ ​scaffolding ​ student​​ ​learning​ and​ providing​ ​them​ with enriching​ ​activities​ ​and​ ​engaging​ learning​ opportunities​ ​we will​ foster​​ these​ practices​ for​ students.​  We will ​Increase​ ​the​ use of​ ​ Science​ and​​ Engineering​ Practices​ ​as​ ​described​ ​in​ ​the​ ​new​ ​Michigan​ ​Science​ ​Standards​ ​(NGSS) and align​ ​content​ ​and ​activities​ ​with​​ ​both​ ​Athens​ ​and​ ​Troy​ ​High​ ​Science​ ​Departments​ ​(Astronomy and ​ Physics).​