2003 Report Grants Programs Research - Smart...
Transcript of 2003 Report Grants Programs Research - Smart...
2003 Report • Grants • Programs • Research
A message from theexecutive directorEncouragement for children, recognition for teachers and support for schools – these are the principles that
guide the SMARTer Kids Foundation of Canada. Since 1997, the foundation has acted on these principles
by initiating and sponsoring programs that support students, teachers and schools.
In establishing the foundation, it was our desire to create programs that would make a difference in the
lives of students and teachers. This dream has become a reality. We see smiles on the faces of the students
at the Connections camp when we take them to dig for dinosaur bones. We also see tears when these
same students say goodbye after a richly programmed week in Calgary. We receive the hugs and thanks
from the state teachers of the year, who tell us what a difference their technology award package will
make to their students’ classroom experience. These small things give meaning to the work of the
foundation and those companies that support its activities.
Education is the core of a civilized society. Every day, teachers deliberately and lovingly shape the hearts
and minds of our children, the leaders of tomorrow. Undoubtedly, the knowledge and skills that our
children acquire in schools are essential to their futures. So, too, are the tolerance, compassion and other
values and attitudes that are nurtured and developed in the classroom.
The foundation is doing its part to support this important work, not just in North America but also in other
countries around the world. We invite you to read about the various programs of the foundation in our
first annual report to the community.
Yours truly,
Nancy Knowlton
Executive Director
SMARTer Kids Foundation
Since 1997, the SMARTer Kids
Foundation has been bringing
education technology to
classrooms around the world.
ContentsGrants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
SMARTer Kids Grant for SMART Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
SMARTer Kids Grant for NEC Visual Presentation Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
PREP Grant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Professional Development Grant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
ImagiNations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Teaching Excellence Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Research . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Partners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
©2004 SMARTer Kids Foundation of Canada. All rights reserved. SMARTer Kids is a trademark of the SMARTer Kids Foundation of Canada. SMART Boardis a trademark of SMART Technologies Inc. All other third-party products and company names may be trademarks of their respective owners. Printed in Canada 06/2004.
Improving computer-based instruction
for all schools is the goal of the SMARTer
Kids Foundation. Making technology
products affordable is one step toward
achieving this goal. Another step involves
ensuring that educators can use the
products effectively in the classroom.
The foundation is taking these essential
steps, offering grants to schools, school
districts and teacher-preparation institutions
for the purchase of technology products
and for product training in SMART
Master’s programs.
Grants
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The SMARTer Kids Grant for SMART products
puts interactive technology products within
reach of thousands of K–12 schools and post-
secondary institutions. Available to qualifying
educational institutions, the grants are worth
between 20 and 70 percent of the suggested
list price of approved SMART products.
Who is eligible?Grants are available to all public or private,
accredited, not-for-profit educational
institutions, authorized homeschoolers,
museums and libraries involved in K–12,
college, university, vocational and technical
instruction or administration in the United
States and Canada. The foundation may
also give special permission to institutions
from other countries to apply for the grant.
What products can be
purchased with a grant?The grant can be used to purchase a range
of SMART products for the classroom,
including interactive whiteboards,
software and multimedia cabinets.
2003 figures
Good neighbors such as the SMARTer Kids Foundation help to make it
possible for Lourdesmont to 'go the extra mile' by funding enriching
opportunities for our students that provide incentives for learning and
maximizing the potential of each child.
Dorothy S. Allen, Director of Development and Public Relations
Lourdesmont Good Shepard Youth and Family Services, Clarks Summit, PA
SMARTer Kids Grant for SMART Products
Canada US$2,444,873
United States US$47,044,148
Grants approved 6,467
Total value US$49,489,021
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In partnership with NEC Solutions (America),
Inc., the SMARTer Kids Foundation offers the
SMARTer Kids Grant for NEC Visual
Presentation Products to assist educational
institutions with the purchase of NEC products.
The grant is worth 18 to 60 percent of the
suggested list price of a qualifying product.
Who is eligible?All public or private, accredited, not-for-profit
educational institutions involved in K–12, higher
education, vocational and technical instruction
or administration may apply for the grant.
Not-for-profit museums, libraries and science
centers involved in K–12 or higher education
are also eligible. Grants are generally awarded
to qualifying institutions in the United States
and Canada, but applicants from other countries
may obtain special permission from the
foundation to receive funding.
What products can be
purchased with a grant? Qualifying products include a range of NEC
projectors and plasma displays.
2003 figures
On behalf of the faculty, staff and students of Sacred Heart School, I’d like
to thank the SMARTer Kids Foundation for the grant award to be used
towards the purchase of an NEC LT260 ultra-portable projector. We are
very excited and honored to receive this award. The foundation made it
possible for us to purchase a projector that originally was beyond our budget.
Mrs. Kathleen M. Zelch, Technology Coordinator
Sacred Heart Catholic School, Valley Park, MO
SMARTer Kids Grantfor NEC VisualPresentation Products
Canada US$1,484,255
United States US$5,229,343
Grants approved 3,427
Total value US$6,713,598
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Having technology products in the classroom
is a good start, but it takes skilled educators to
bring that technology to life for their students.
The PREP Grant ensures that new and established
teachers will know how to effectively deploy
interactive learning tools in the classroom by
assisting teacher-preparation and professional
development facilities around the world with
the purchase of their first SMART products.
PREP grants are worth between 25 and 80
percent of the suggested list price of approved
SMART products.
Who is eligible?Applicants can include universities, colleges,
teacher-preparation schools, institutions or
centers involved in pre-service or in-service
teacher professional development or education
leading to an education degree, or
professional teacher certification, for a
minimum of 100 teachers per year. Other
not-for-profit, in-service, teacher-preparation
centers that prepare a minimum of 100
teachers per year are also eligible.
What products can be
purchased with a grant?The PREP Grant can be used to purchase a
range of SMART products for the classroom,
including interactive whiteboards, software
and multimedia cabinets.
2003 figures
PREP Grant
Your organization has provided an opportunity that will help us accomplish
our mission. Please share our gratitude with your directors so that they will
know that the SMARTer Kids Foundation is making a difference at
Columbia College.
John Schirmer, Executive Director of Development and Alumni Services
Columbia College, Columbia, MO
International US$1,779
United States US$48,105
Grants approved 49
Total value US$49,884
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Helping teachers make the most of their
SMART products is the purpose of the
Professional Development Grant. This grant
helps teachers attend SMART Master’s
programs – focused training sessions that help
participants master the features of SMART
Board interactive whiteboards and use them
effectively in the classroom. Grants are worth
30 percent of the enrolment cost for any
SMART Master’s session.
SMART Master’s events are held several times
each year in locations across North America.
Participants receive detailed instruction to help
them integrate the interactive whiteboard into
their classrooms and curricula. They view
demonstrations of SMART’s free education
resources and receive a SMART Master’s
Learner Workbook, which they use
throughout the session and take home as a
quick reference source.
Who is eligible?All institutions that have already qualified for a
SMARTer Kids Grant for any SMART product
automatically qualify to receive a Professional
Development Grant.
2003 figures
Professional Development Grant
Please convey our sincere appreciation and gratitude for the award of this
grant money. It will significantly enhance the education staff’s ability to
provide quality education programs to our new nurses and other staff who
care for the children of the Memphis and Mid-South area. Your generosity
and support will enable us to provide technology that would not
have been available otherwise and will certainly improve the learning
experience for our students.
Cheryl Henderson, Administrative Director
Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center, Memphis, TN
Grants used 71Approved grants between October 1, 2002,
and September 30, 2003
$28,030
Building relationships, fostering
communication, recognizing excellence
– the SMARTer Kids Foundation creates
and sponsors programs that put a human
face on education technology. The
SMARTer Kids Foundation programs –
Connections, ImagiNations and the
Teaching Excellence Awards – facilitate
international, collaborative projects,
promote cross-cultural understanding
and reward America’s most dedicated
and inspiring teachers.
Programs
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ConnectionsAdventure, discovery, growth. The Connections
program offers a range of activities that bring
together students and teachers from the
United States, Canada and Mexico. The
Connections program has taken place over
two years, but will become a one-year program
in 2005. The program has three components:
teacher preparation, collaborative learning
projects and the Calgary student visit.
Teacher trainingOnce grade six classes from eight to ten
schools have been accepted, the teachers
come to Calgary for a week of training. They
meet the other participants and learn how to
use classroom technology products from
SMART and NEC. The teachers define and
develop collaborative learning projects for the
upcoming year and finish their visit with a tour
of some of the sites around Calgary that will
be part of the Calgary student visit.
Collaborative projectsStudents in the Connections program get
to know each other through a series of
collaborative classroom projects. These
projects can include Web postings, online
newsletters and pen-pal exchanges.
Participants learn about each other and about
different geographical regions and cultures.
Calgary student visitConnections culminates with the Calgary student
visit. Participating teachers select student
ambassadors to accompany them to Calgary for
a week of fun, adventure and learning. Students
and teachers visit educational and tourist sites
in the Calgary area, including Banff National
Park, the Calgary Zoo and the Royal Tyrrell
Museum of Palaeontology.
The SMARTer Kids Foundation covers the
of airfare, accommodation, meals, local
transportation and admission to Connections-
sponsored activities for the teacher training and
Calgary student visit portions of the program.
2002–2004 figures
September 2002 to June 2004
• Participating schools: 8
• Particpating teachers: 16
• Students participating in Calgary
student visit: 64
Connections is an educator’s dream. Challenging concepts to teach, such
as collaboration and multicultural awareness, are taught in a real-world
context. Connections is different from other grant-funded programs in
that the classroom is supported from start to finish and the excitement for
learning increases each step of the way.
Katie Morrow
O’Neill Elementary, O’Neill, NE
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ImagiNationsThe traveling teddy bears of the ImagiNations
program bring cross-cultural learning to life for
students in elementary and primary schools
around the world. The toy ambassadors travel
from school to school, bringing with them
journal entries, photographs and souvenirs
from previous stops on their journeys.
Schools chosen to participate in ImagiNations
are divided into groups. Each group includes
schools from different countries and regions.
One teddy bear and its accompanying travel
kit are sent to each group to spend
approximately one month at each school.
Each travel kit contains a journal, a photo
album, items selected by the foundation to
accompany the bear and items collected
from other schools.
During the bear’s stay, students must add the
required items to the travel kit:
• ten or more journal entries describing the
bear’s visit
• two items, such as maps, postcards or
recipes illustrating the culture or geography
of the location
• two local souvenirs
• drawings or photographs showing the
bear’s adventures
• one surprise item
When the kit is complete, the bear is shipped
to the next school.
Participating schools in each group make
contact with each other to share stories about
the bear’s exploits. Teachers are encouraged
to keep in touch with other schools in their
group and to continue building international
relationships through collaborative projects.
2003 figures
Participating teachers: 50
Participating students: 1,250
Traveling teddy bears: 10
Participating classes per country
• United States: 14
• Canada: 19
• International: 17
One of the most amazing parts of [the bear] Ariel’s visit was the willing-
ness of students to write about her, especially students who don’t want to
write or complete classroom work. After I shared one student’s writing
and she was praised for her efforts, the student started turning in her
classroom work! I am so appreciative of the SMARTer Kids ImagiNations
program and our chance to be part of it.
Karen Mensinger
Belfair Elementary, Belfair, WA
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Teaching Excellence AwardsRecognizing inspiration, dedication and skill,
the Teaching Excellence Awards honor teachers
who have made a significant impact on their
students, schools and communities. The
Teaching Excellence Awards donate prizes of
education technology products to existing
teacher-recognition programs.
In 2001, the SMARTer Kids Foundation
entered into a five-year sponsorship agreement
with each of the 57 U.S. State Teacher of the
Year programs recognized by the National
Teacher of the Year program. The Teaching
Excellence Awards program presents a package
of education technology products to each
State Teacher of the Year and is the only
nationally sponsored program that awards
technology products. In some states, the
awards represent the only gift to the
Teachers of the Year.
2003 figures
With the dramatic cutbacks in education spending, I never dreamed I
would have such a high-tech classroom. I commend the SMARTer Kids
Foundation for making a commitment to education by providing such
wonderful products and training for teachers. They are an example for
other organizations to follow.
Dr. Betsy Rogers, 2003 U.S. National Teacher of the Year,
Alabama State Teacher of the Year and Teaching Excellence Award winner,
Leeds Elementary School, Jefferson County, AL
Award winners: 62
Award package value per teacher: US$4,845
Total value: US$300,390
Every day, teachers deliberately
and lovingly shape the hearts
and minds of our children, the
leaders of tomorrow.
The best education technology products
to invest in are those that have been
proven effective in the classroom.
Through its research program, the
SMARTer Kids Foundation supports and
publishes scientific studies of the use of
technology products in the classroom
in order to help educators investigate
the effects of technology products on
teaching and learning.
Research
The best education technology
products to invest in are those
that have been proven effective
in the classroom.
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ResearchThe SMARTer Kids Foundation research
program invites educators to submit proposals
for research projects. Each project comprises a
six- to eight-month study of a learning
environment that includes a SMART Board
interactive whiteboard and a paper detailing
the study’s outcomes.
The foundation asks that researchers focus
their inquiries not on the equipment itself,
but rather on learning and behavioral
outcomes. Suggested topics include curriculum
development, students with disabilities, gender
and technology, distance learning, literacy,
coaching, collaborative learning, teacher
preparation and learning theories.
Successful applicants receive a SMART Board
560 interactive whiteboard and floor stand to
use in their study. When they have met the
program requirements, participants may keep
the interactive whiteboard at no charge. The
foundation posts final papers on its website,
www.smarterkids.org/research/library.asp.
2003 figures
Proposals submitted: 40
Proposals accepted: 3
Projects completed: 2
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Partners
Founding and funding partner
SMART Technologies Inc.
SMART Technologies Inc. is both the industry
pioneer and global market leader in easy-to-
use interactive whiteboards and other group
collaboration tools. SMART products include
the family of award-winning SMART Board
interactive whiteboards, as well as interactive
lecterns, multimedia furniture and software.
Using SMART products, groups can access
and share the information they need to meet,
teach, train and present. SMART’s customers
include Northern Kentucky University,
Tennessee’s Rhea County Department of
Education, the Vermont Institute for Science,
Math & Technology, Indiana’s Carmel Junior
High School, Virginia’s Chesterfield County
Public Schools and Harvard University.
SMART is a private company founded in 1987.
Employing more than 500 people, SMART is
headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada,
with assembly facilities in Ottawa and Calgary,
and offices in Bonn, Tokyo, New York City and
Washington, DC. In 1992 SMART formed a
strategic alliance with Intel® Corporation that
resulted in joint product development and
marketing efforts, and Intel’s equity ownership
in SMART. SMART products are sold through
dealers across North America and through
distributors worldwide. For more information,
visit www.smarttech.com.
Funding partner
NEC Solutions (America), Inc.
NEC is proud to be the exclusive display
provider to the SMARTer Kids Foundation
grant program. NEC’s award-winning projectors
and state-of-the-art plasma displays have
brought new life and clarity to classrooms
across North America through the SMARTer
Kids Foundation program.
NEC is a premier provider of integrated
solutions for the Connected Enterprise in North
America. As an affiliate of NEC Corporation
(NASDAQ:NIPNY) (FTSE: 6701q.1), NEC taps
into a global resource network to help clients
leverage technology to achieve a competitive
edge. Providing mobile enterprise computing
systems, biometric security solutions, business
intelligence, projector and plasma display
solutions, business service management and IT
professional services, NEC delivers its expertise
with the personal attention needed to address
individual situations. With headquarters in
Rancho Cordova, CA, NEC maintains research,
marketing, sales and support facilities
throughout the United States. Information
regarding NEC Solutions (America), Inc. can be
found at www.necsam.com.
Putting education technology products in classrooms around the world,
helping educators to use those products effectively and encouraging students
to use those products as gateways to global citizenship – these achievements
require the resources and efforts of many dedicated people and organizations.
The SMARTer Kids Foundation relies on the generous support of its partners to
bring learning opportunities to students around the world.
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Program partner,
Teaching Excellence Awards
AlphaSmart, Inc.
AlphaSmart®, Inc. is a leading provider of
technology solutions for education and
productivity, focused on reducing the cost and
complexity of computing. AlphaSmart, Inc. (AI)
was founded as Intelligent Peripheral Devices,
Inc. (IPD) in 1992. Our name was changed to
AlphaSmart, Inc. in 1999. AlphaSmart’s
mission is to develop and market affordable
and effective technology solutions for the
education market. For more information, visit
www.alphasmart.com.
Program partner, Teaching
Excellence Awards
Immersive Education Ltd.
Immersive Education Ltd. is a specialist
education software publishing business based
in Oxford, UK. We develop innovative software
solutions for use by teachers, pupils and parents
designed for schools and homes. Immersive
also publishes curriculum-based offline support
materials for teaching in the form of lesson
plans, activity suggestions and units of work
that function alongside its software platforms.
Immersive’s products represent a combination
of software innovation and traditional publishing.
They offer schools a new way of integrating
computer-based learning techniques across the
spectrum of curricular subjects in a facilitated
classroom environment.
Immersive’s products are designed to unlock
creativity in a way that so engages children
that they often don’t realize how much they
are learning. This quality, derived from
Immersive’s use of technical and design
platforms pioneered by the computer games
industry, is leading to numerous tangible class-
room benefits for both teachers and pupils. To
learn more, visit www.kar2ouche.com/imed.
Program partner, Teaching
Excellence Awards
eInstruction Corporation
Headquartered in Denton, Texas, eInstruction
Corporation is a leader in the educational
technology industry. With the introduction of
the Classroom Performance System (CPS) in
2000, eInstruction is now the unquestioned
educational leader in real-time, interactive
wireless response pad technology. Over 500,000
response pads are now being used in all 50
states in thousands of K–12 schools as well as
over 450 universities and 10 foreign countries.
eInstruction was founded in 1981, by Dr.
Darrell L. Ward, a long-time researcher and
teacher. He recognized a significant need in
educational institutions for innovative technology-
based products. Many years of consistent
cutting-edge research and development have
earned eInstruction a reputation of excellence
in the education market.
eInstruction Corporation is committed to
providing innovative products that enhance the
learning process in corporations and educational
institutions through the use of computer-based
technology, software and the Internet. Visit
www.einstruction.com for more information.
Program partner, ImagiNations
Ty Canada Inc.
Ty Canada Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of
Ty Inc., the creator of the world-famous
Beanie Babies and other plush collectibles for
people of all ages. For more information, visit
www.ty.com.
Program partner, ImagiNations
Federal Express Canada Ltd.
Federal Express Canada Ltd. is a global logistics
company offering domestic and international
shipping and electronic commerce solutions.
The company uses real-time package status
tracking systems, automated customs clearance
services and a dedicated air and ground
transportation network to serve Canadian
and global markets. Celebrating 15 years in
Canada, FedEx® is dedicated to being the
nation’s "employer, neighbor and shipper of
choice." FedEx employs more than 5,000
people in over 60 facilities coast-to-coast.
Federal Express Canada Ltd. has partnered
with the foundation to provide assistance
with global transportation of the ImagiNations
teddy bear boxes throughout the world. Visit
www.fedex.com to learn more.
Program partner, ImagiNations
Smith/Induspac
Smith/Induspac has partnered with the
foundation and provides their support through
the donation of the teddy bear boxes. For
more information, visit www.induspac.com.
SMARTer Kids Foundation of Canada
Suite 300, 1207 11th Avenue S.W.
Calgary, AB CANADA T3C 0M5
Tel: 1.866.288.0454
Fax: 403.228.2500
E-mail: [email protected]
www.smarterkids.org