Following are examples of the many grants focused on energizing our community of educators and learners.
Grants that Energize
| Title | Description | Year | Schools |
|---|---|---|---|
| LifeLabs Kickoff | Provided funding for a kickoff program for the LifeLabs project. Learn more about LifeLabs. | 1996-1997 | District-wide |
| Costa Rica Trip | Partially funded the choir and orchestra music and service trip to Costa Rica. | 1997-1998 | HHS |
| Print-Making | Created print-making unit with a local Native American artist. | 1998-1999 | NJH |
| Freshwater Academy | Established Freshwater Academy, a full-semester program integrating learning in environmental issues, science, social studies, language arts, and physical education. | 1998-1999 | HHS |
| Odyssey of the Mind Trip | Supported Odyssey of the Mind team participation in the world championships. | 1998-1999 | District-wide |
| International Science and Engineering Fair | Encouraged student participation in the International Science and Engineering Fair. | 1999-2000 | HHS |
| Thai Teacher Exchange | Supported teacher exchange program between Thailand and Hopkins schools. | 1999-2000 | District-wide |
| Future Teachers | Expanded 1998-1999 pilot program to teach studentsto be effective tutors and student teachers, serving all Hopkins K-12 students. | 1999-2000 | HHS |
| Drama Course | Established classroom drama course. | 1999-2000 | HHS |
| Leadership Training | Supported Pecos River Team Leadership training. | 2000-2001 | District-wide |
| Kids Voting | HEF awarded a grant to develop a program promoting the development of active, engaged and well-informed citizens by instructing kindergarten through 12th grade students in the election process. The program culminated on Election Day with students voting along with their parents at city polling sites. | 2000-2001 | District-wide |
| New Forest | A matching grant was awarded to Alice Smith students who raised $800 to plant and nurture a 1.25 acre “forest,” incorporating three biomes and three outdoor classrooms. | 2000-2001 | Alice Smith |
| Youth Frontiers | Helped fund joint initiative between Hopkins Schools and Youth Frontiers focused on character development. Learn more. | 2000-2001 | Katherine Curren, Meadowbrook, & Tanglen Elementaries |
| Culture of Literacy | Backed a program to create a “culture of literacy” which includes the purchase of books for every classroom, incentive programs for reading, and staff development. | 2001-2002 | WJH |
| Solar Greenhouse Project | Funded the Solar Greenhouse Project, a “wet and dirty laboratory for learning biotechnology and "agriscience.” | 2001-2002 | NJH |
| Mobile Teaching Station | Funded a mobile multimedia teacher's station to allow for flexibility in instruction. | 2001-2002 | Alice Smith |
| Cross-Cultural Teaching Project | Piloted the cross-curricular teaching project which integrates instruction in science, social studies and English. | 2001-2002 | NJH |
| Differentiation Instruction | Funded the purchase of books and materials for a teacher study group on differentiated instruction. | 2001-2002 | Glen Lake |
| Reggio Emilio Approach for Early Childhood Education | A matching grant was awarded to Stepping Stones, an all day program for four-year-olds, located at Meadowbrook and Gatewood to integrate the Reggio Emilia philosophy into the curriculum. | 2002-2003 | Stepping Stones @ Harley Hopkins, Meadowbrook, and Gatewood |
| Graphic Design Software | Supported the acquisition of graphic design software and peripherals for the computers in the art computer lab allowing students to use computers as an “art tool”. | 2002-2003 | HHS |
| Africa Residencey | Funded a grant to provide the two-week residency, Africa to America, in each school for fourth grade students. Taught by Soli Hughes, students are actively engaged in the learning of the Afro-American experience with the goal of increasing understanding and embracing different lifestyles and traditions. | 2004-2005 | Katherine Curren |
| Africa Residencey | Funded a grant to provide the two-week residency, Africa to America, in each school for fourth grade students. Taught by Soli Hughes, students are actively engaged in the learning of the Afro-American experience with the goal of increasing understanding and embracing different lifestyles and traditions. | 2004-2005 | Alice Smith |
| Fuel Cell Cars | Provided funding to incorporate fuel cell technology into the 9th grade physical science curriculum. By being part of an engineering team and building fuel cell model cars, students will have a real life opportunity to synthesize concepts taught throughout the year. | 2004-2005 | WJH |
| Dance Residency | Awarded a grant to fund a two-week dance residency with Christopher Yeager for all elementary schools in the district. The residency will provide instruction in the elements of self-expression through dance/body movement that is inclusive of all students’ learning styles and behaviors, and connects with other curriculum areas such as history and language arts. | 2004-2005 | All elementary |
| Basic Spanish Skills for Teachers | Provided funding for basic Spanish Language skills class sessions for 40 teachers to learn the Spanish vocabulary, grammar, conversation and cultural awareness they need to communicate effectively with students and their families in the school setting. | 2004-2005 | District-wide |
| AP Euro Project | A technology grant for a laptop and projector allows AP History teacher, Carrie Lucking and her class to use pictures, video, music, and interactive online activities. They experience technology as they will when they get out in the real world. | 2005-2006 | HHS |
| Best Practices Teachers' Fair | Provided funds for a “Best Practices Teacher’s Fair” where district teachers present instructional strategies to their colleagues in order to share knowledge and enhance staff development, ultimately diminishing the student achievement gap. | 2005-2006 | District-wide |
| Computer Aided Design | High school engineering, woodworking, carpentry and construction students benefit from using Computer Aided Design (CAD) software and an industry standard programmable router table to create three dimensional projects. This software and equipment exposes students to the engineering design process, using a model that is considered state of the art. Read more. | 2005-2006 | HHS |
| Freshman Academy | The North Junior High Freshman Academy written by Becky Melville and NJH Ninth Grade Teams addresses the unique needs of the transitional freshman year. Physically located in the junior high, ninth graders are working to earn high school credit. The $20,000 grant helped to create an environment to ease this challenging transition. Read more. | 2005-2006 | NJH |
| Best Practices Teachers Fair | During the 2007 Gala, attendees contributed $12,000 for staff development and the popular Best Practices Teachers’ Fair. At the Fair, District teachers present instructional strategies and best practices to their colleagues in order to share knowledge and enhance staff development. | 2006-2007 | District-Wide |
| Underground Railroad Simulation | An equity-related student empowerment pilot focused on developing strong anti-racist student leadership for Dare to Be Real mentor leaders and for enhancing the educational experience of Advanced Placement U.S. History students at Hopkins High School. | 2006-2007 | HHS |
| Chinese Immersion: Staff Development for a World-class Program | To provide a solid staff development and curricular foundation for the new Chinese immersion magnet program this grant provides for external guidance on curriculum development and staff development for the first year immersion kindergarten teachers. | 2006-2007 | Eisenhower and XinXing |
| Pre AP Vertical Teaming | To increase the number and diversity of students who participate in and succeed in advanced coursework, all junior high and high schoolteachers will be equipped with the strategies and tools they need to engage their students in active high level learning. Teachers will work in subject area teams across grades 6-10 to design lessons that vertically articulate the vocabulary, critical thinking skills and the concepts necessary to enable students to build the skills and confidence required for AP coursework. | 2006-2007 | District-wide |
| ActivBoard --Interactive Whiteboards | This grant expands the inventory of interactive whiteboards to all the 8th grade science classrooms at West Junior High. Read more. | 2006-2007 | WJH |
| Challenge Enrichment Opportunities | This grant provides funds for students to attend the Young Authors Workshop and Student Creativity Festival. | 2007-2008 | Eisenhower |
| Diversity Resource Center | Teachers now use relevant, culturally diverse materials to increase learning effectiveness. | 2007-2008 | Harley Hopkins |
| Technical Education: Web Design and Business Marketing | This project creates an opportunity for Hopkins High School students to design, create, and maintain an actual web-site for a spirit wear embroidery business. In addition, students will learn how to manage all aspects of a small business. Funds raised by the business will be returned to the students through Spirit Shop grants and sponsorships. | 2007-2008 | HHS |
| Music Technology Lab | This grant is part of a larger project to add a Music Technology Lab at Hopkins High School. The music technology lab builds upon the current instrumental and vocal music offerings to include skills necessary for success in today’s digital music industry. While utilizing GarageBandTM, students will create compositions, learn the art of recording, develop mix down techniques, and create end products such as original CDs and Podcasts. | 2007-2008 | HHS |
| 21st Century Digital Classrooms | Effective integration of technology requires well-equipped classrooms with laptop computers, LCD projectors, interactive whiteboards, document cameras, audio enhancement systems, and more. Pilots for most of these initiatives in the Hopkins District have been funded by HEF grants. Read more. | 2013-2017 | District-wide |
| Interactive Learning with ActiVotes | This grant funds ActiVotes for all 6th grade classrooms. | 2008-2009 | Eisenhower |
| Nature's Corner | This is the second (and final) year of funding to build Nature's Corner digital slide show library. This library can be accessed by teachers throughout the district to aid in their classroom discussions. | 2008-2009 | All elementary |
| Learning to Focus with Biofeedback | Students are more successful at learning when the mind, heart rate and emotions are in-sync. Biofeedback software teaches techniques to create a more balanced emotional state. The software will be used in the computer lab and with hand held units for classrooms to help students self regulate. | 2010-2011 | Gatewood |
| Google Apps Collaborative Hive | Collaborative Google Certified training for 30 Hopkins 7-12 teachers in the engaging, exciting, and creative uses of Hopkins Apps. Read more | 2012-2013 | District-wide |
| Assistive Technology Resource Library | A library of tools for our dedicated staff to help students with unique needs achieve their potential. Read more | 2013-2014 | District-wide |
| Bee Bots: Creating a Buzz with STEM | Programmable Bee Bots in 1st and 2nd grade classrooms. Read more | 2013-2014 | Glen Lake |
| Bringing Drama to the Classroom | A mobile stage to enable classroom teachers to integrate dramatic presentation into regular curriculum. Read more | 2013-2014 | HHS |
| Creativity Unbound -- MakerSpace | A welcoming space for students to explore hands-on projects. Read more | 2014-2015 | NJH |
| Celebrating a Half-Century of Music in Hopkins Schools | A spectacular concert by students and special alumni guests to honor retiring and past music teachers. Read more | 2014-2015 | Alice Smith, Gatewood |
| Full STEAM Ahead | Bash 2015 Special Appeal, year one of a three-year initiative. This Special Appeal funded Stages Theater for K. Service projects for JH. Career lectures for HHS. Read more | 2014-2015 | District-wide |
| Full STEAM Ahead | Bash 2015 Special Appeal, year one of a three-year initiative. This Special Appeal funded Stages Theater for K. Service projects for JH. Career lectures for HHS. Read more | 2014-2015 | NJH, WJH |
| Full STEAM Ahead | Bash 2015 Special Appeal, year one of a three-year initiative. This Special Appeal funded Stages Theater for K. Service projects for JH. Career lectures for HHS. Read more | 2014-2015 | HHS |
| History Live | Minnesota Historical Society experts will use 21st Century technology to ‘transport’ Hopkins students back in time, connecting them to important segments of our country’s history. Read more. | 2015-2016 | NJH, WJH, all 6th grades |
| Shifting to New Concepts in Literacy | HEF is partnering with the Hopkins School District to send nine teachers to train next summer in successful research-based adolescent literacy education for junior high and high school students. These teachers will in turn train others in the District in these ‘best practices’. Read more. | 2015-2016 | NJH, WJH, HHS |
| RoboSquad – Bringing STARBASE to Elementary | Fourth and fifth graders across the District are attending STARBASE Minnesota, a Department of Defense program that utilizes a mission to Mars as the vehicle to introduce practical fun applications of engineering and science principles. RoboSquad brings STARBASE back to Hopkins. This pilot program consists of building and manipulating twelve Lego programmable robots. Read more. | 2015-2016 | Meadowbrook |
| Rocket Science | This grant provides re-usable launchers to get this exciting experiment off of the ground (up to 100 meters!) and delve students deep into the scientific method. Read more. | 2015-2016 | NJH |
| Full STEAM Ahead | Bash 2016 Special Appeal, year two of a three-year initiative. This Special Appeal funded Stages Theater for K. Implementing a service curriculum for JH. Expanded career lectures for HHS. Read more | 2015-2016 | HHS |
| Full STEAM Ahead | Bash 2016 Special Appeal, year two of a three-year initiative. This Special Appeal funded Stages Theater for K. Implementing a service curriculum for JH. Expanded career lectures for HHS. Read more | 2015-2016 | NJH, WJH |
| Full STEAM Ahead | Bash 2016 Special Appeal, year two of a three-year initiative. This Special Appeal funded Stages Theater for K. Implementing a service curriculum for JH. Expanded career lectures for HHS. Read more | 2015-2016 | District-wide |
| Learning Studio Prototype | HEF will help the School District kick start the creative redesign of a Gatewood classroom, turning it into an innovative learning studio; an agile and adaptable space to better engage students and offer greater opportunity for learning. Read more | 2016-2017 | Gatewood |
| Chinese Culture Residency | Chinese-speaking artists-in-residence will teach traditional dancing, singing, and gong fu (martial arts) to students in Kindergarten through grade four all winter, culminating in the spectacular performance of Lunar New Year on February 21, 2017. Read more | 2016-2017 | XinXing |
| Green Card Voices | Green Card Voices is a digital storytelling project to build bridges and understanding between people by sharing interesting first-hand stories and videos of family, hard work, and cultural diversity. Learn more. | 2016-2017 | NJH, WJH |
| Full STEAM Ahead | Bash 2017 Special Appeal, year three of a three-year initiative. This Special Appeal funded Stages Theater for K. Supporting the grade nine Power of One service curriculum for JH. Expanded career lectures for HHS. Read more | 2016-2017 | NJH, WJH |
| Full STEAM Ahead | Bash 2017 Special Appeal, year three of a three-year initiative. This Special Appeal funded Stages Theater for K. Supporting the grade nine Power of One service curriculum for JH. Expanded career lectures for HHS. Read more | 2016-2017 | District-wide |
| ¡A Bailar! Latin Dance Club | Salsa! Merengue! Cumbia! HEF will fund a residency conducted by professional Latin dancers Yeniel Chini Perez and Hanna Kuluvar Esparza. They will teach some of the most popular dances of the Spanish-speaking world in this after school club. Read more. | 2017-2018 | HHS, NJH, WJH |
| Powerful Young Women Pay It Forward | This Awesome Fund grant will help expand the scope of Girls United MN, run by girls for girls, on a mission to empower and inspire the next generation of women leaders. These 80 young women at Hopkins High School are promoting STEM career paths and positive body image, introducing professional women as inspiration, and discussing multiple social issues with their peers. Read more | 2017-2018 | HHS |
| Love Yourself Project | HEF is funding the Love Yourself project, a campaign to promote positive messages of self confidence, self esteem, and body image, with the goal of improving student wellness. Read more | 2017-2018 | HHS |
| Increasing Engagement and Rigor | Glen Lake staff have fully undertaken the Hopkins’ Vision 2031 mission to disrupt the current system. HEF’s grant is sending a team of six to Educator Training at The Ron Clarke Academy (RCA) – a preeminent lab school for fourth-eighth grade in Atlanta Georgia with similar demographics to Hopkins. Read more. | 2019-2020 | Glen Lake |
| Kandama Club | The ancient Japanese game of Kendama builds tools for transforming failure and adversity into opportunities to learn and grow. The club is bringing in an inspirational speaker from the Kendama Institute of Minneapolis to present at a West Junior High school assembly, as well as offer twenty hours of afterschool instruction in the techniques and tricks of the game. Read more | 2019-2020 | WJH |
| Girls Taking Action | A chapter of Girls Taking Action (GTA) has started at Hopkins High School with the exciting long-term goals of creating a nurturing and supportive community for our young women of color, of fostering a deeper connection between them and their school, and of empowering them to envision the many options in their future beyond high school. Learn more | 2019-2020 | HHS |
| Poet in Residence | Poetry is a creative way for students to express themselves. Through this poetry residency, fourth and fifth grade students will receive guidance from a published poet, and learn to communicate their thoughts and feelings through poetry. Learn more. | 2019-2020 | Xin-Xing |
| Pathways to a Healthy Future | Pathways to a Healthy Future Special Appeal is a comprehensive approach to active student learning. The student who is emotionally calm, well fed, engaged in and excited about learning prospers and succeeds on their own unique pathway to their full potential. Learn more | 2019-2020 | District-Wide |
| Home Studios Unlock Creativity | This grant purchases home studio equipment for use in rotation by a cohort of social studies staff at NJH. Their goal is to create digital content more engaging than what can be produced on district-issued hardware, and to meet the individual needs of their students. Learn more | 2020-2021 | NJH |
| DJ Club | The new DJ Club will serve multiple purposes: a terrific creative outlet for students, a future replacement for the expensive DJ’s hired for prom and school dances, and cafeteria entertainment for students during lunch hour. This Awesome Fund grant is the seed money for the necessary equipment that will be used for years to come. Learn more | 2020-2021 | HHS |
| Glen Lake Go! Bus Design and Wrap | A dedicated bus, called “Glen Lake Go!” is the modern substitute for a magic carpet, whisking students off to first-hand experiences and behind-the-scenes looks at the fascinating opportunities across our community. HEF will fund the colorful student-designed 3M vinyl bus wrap to make this vehicle super special, and even more exciting. Learn more | 2020-2021 | Glen Lake |
| Glowing Creativity with Glowforge | Glowforge is a powerful laser cutter and engraver that cuts materials such as cardboard, wood, leather, cloth – even chocolate! - and engraves on glass or wood, putting endless creativity into the hands of everyday users. Learn more | 2020-2021 | NJH |
| Playground Pickleball | This grant provides two pickleball courts with portable nets for use in PE education. In addition, staff can use the courts for a pickleball league after hours to build community.Learn more. | 2021-2022 | Tanglen |
| Play-Based Learning to Deepen Inquiry | This grant provides materials to support a play-based learning environment to encourage children to develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills.Learn more. | 2021-2022 | Meadwobrook |
| Hopkins Speedcubing Club | This Awesome Fund Grant will purchase a variety of cubes for the clubbers to practice with and enhance their skills. As they learn strategy together, they intend to host demos at HHS to engage potential new members, and envision competing at some point in World Cube Association (WCA) events in the Twin Cities. Learn more. | 2021-2022 | HHS |
| The Science of Reading | The materials purchased with the grant are designed to train teachers how to use tools to aid in what they learn about how the brain learns to read. The long range goal is for all teachers a Glen Lake to know the science behind how students learn to read. Learn more. | 2021-2022 | Glen Lake |
| Technocrats Go To World Championship | Continuing HEF’s long-standing support for Hopkins Robotics’ Technocrats, HEF’s Awesome Fund has awarded a stipend of $1,600 to help the team travel to Houston, Texas in May for the 2022 FIRST World Championships. Learn more | 2021-2022 | NJH, WJH, HHS |