OEF Grant Program
The purpose of OEF Grant Program is to fund creative and innovative projects in Olentangy Schools. Grants are used for materials, resources and programs that fall outside school budgets. For more information on the grant process or to submit an application, please visit the grant application page.
2023-24 Classroom Grant Highlights
OZONE JR. A DISTRICT WIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL ROBOTICS TEAM
Sponsored by DelCo
OZone JR. will bring together students from all six district middle schools to cooperate and compete in the FIRST Tech Challenge international competition. They will apply their STEM skills as well as teamwork and leadership skills to design, fabricate, and program robots for a competition where the game and rules change every year.
UNLOCKING ENGAGING, STUDENT-CENTERED EXPERIENCES: BREAKOUT EDU
Funded by the Marilyn and Michael Leymaster Fund for Teacher Excellence
Unlocking Engaging Student-Centered Experiences: Breakout EDU is an innovative and creative way to enrich learning for all kids at Scioto Ridge Elementary. Through this grant, we will purchase six Breakout EDU boxes to provide a hands-on experience to go with the online subscription we already have for our students. Breakout EDU provides engaging standards aligned games that promote a collaborative environment for students to use their problem solving and critical thinking skills.
OMTECH CO2 LASER ENGRAVER
Sponsored by Worthington Industries
This grant is to purchase an enclosed Laser Engraving machine for the Industrial Tech program at Olentangy Liberty. The machine will allow students to create movable parts that are more durable and can actually be used to test models. With the ability to create durable parts we can transition from non working prototypes to models that can actually replicate movements. This will allow students to build models that function over and over with accuracy. Our students will get great experience using the machine that will prepare them for the future.
INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION IN THE VISUAL ARTS CLASSROOM
Sponsored by North Orange Dentistry
Integrating Technology Education in the Visual Arts Classroom through the OEF Grant would benefit multiple levels of disciplines throughout Olentangy High School's Visual Arts Department. Having new and innovative technology supports a diverse group of students. Students will be more collaborative, creative, improve their social skills, be exposed to multimedia platforms, use creative thinking, problem solving and benefit from real world applications.
ELEMENTARY ART GRANT
Funded by the Maryann Howey Visual Art Fund and Fanning Howey
Elementary visual art teachers will gain access to innovative tools for printmaking instruction and student engagement that are beyond the grasp of their current curricular budget. With access to Gelli Printing plates students will not only be able to create traditional monoprints, but will also explore innovative approaches to the timeless techniques associated with printmaking.
VISITING ARTISTS' SERIES: EXPLORING NEW TECHNIQUES FROM PRACTICING ARTISTS
Sponsored by Fanning Howey
Based upon the success of the 22-23 grant the program admin wants to continue to bring in local professional artists to share their craft, and skills with Olentangy students. The success of the 22-23 year's artists has been great and has proven to be engaging and motivating to students' work! Every artist is different and has different styles and techniques to share. Students will continue to get to know the artists , work directly, and hands on with the artists to refine their skills. Students will be given a project designed by both myself and influenced with techniques gained by the artist themselves. Projects will be individualized for each student and will exceed both the district and state standards. The knowledge will be shared and can be implemented through any and all art classes in the Olentangy District.
ORANGE APPAREL CO. MERCHANDISE EXPANSION PROJECT 2023
Sponsored by Scott Scriven LLP
The addition of an embroidery machine to the Orange Marketing program will increase the current product lines and quality, allowing for larger profit capability and adding to the overall growth and potential of Orange Apparel Co. In addition, the new equipment will further expand student’s knowledge regarding production methods and enhance the in-class work experience.
OUTDOOR LEARNING STATIONS AT HYATTS MIDDLE SCHOOL
Sponsored by CT Consultants
Outdoor Learning Stations at HMS are being created to increase engagement and excitement about daily classes, while lowering stress levels and improving the overall well-being for everyone at Hyatts. Small moveable stations will be readily available to teachers so they can take their daily lesson content into beautiful outdoor spaces for students to learn in new ways. Connecting students with natural spaces has been shown to benefit their physical and mental health, and studies have shown an increased student enthusiasm about learning while outdoors.
LEGO My STEAM
Sponsored by DCTS
LEGO my STEAM would support Middle School S.cience T.echnology E.ngineering A.rts and M.athematics Skills using the LEGO® Education solutions. This program is designed to grow with students building confidence in STEAM skills like coding, robotics, and computer science. Simultaneously, they foster 21st century skills like collaboration and critical thinking.
CREATING WITH THE CRICUT
Funded by the Reitter Family Memorial Fund
This grant would be used to purchase a Cricut for the Berlin Middle School art room. This would allow the art teacher to include students in the creative process and incorporate STEAM through the use of art, technology and engineering. It would also help provide accommodations and promote understanding for students with special needs and ELL students.
HELPING PARENTS HAVE DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS WITH CHILDREN
Funded by Elaine K. Eddy Endowed Fund
The grant would provide a parent resource library for the loan of picture books used for Bibliotherapy to give social emotional support to children. Bibliotherapy is the use of selected reading materials as therapeutic guidance in the solution of personal problems through directed reading. In situations such as being the new kid, becoming a sister/brother to a new sibling, getting diagnosed with a childhood illness, experiencing divorce, and/or dealing with a death, parents can coach children on how to cope with stories from picture books with relatable characters.
OLENTANGY COMMUNITY WORKSITE UNIFORMS
Funded by the Feasel Family Fund
Olentangy Community Worksite Uniform grant money will be used to fund work t-shirts/uniforms for our student interns. Students with disabilities at each high school participate in a community worksite to learn employability skills at local businesses. Worksite uniforms teach our students the responsibility of being prepared for work and dressing professionally.
TRANSFORMING STEM EDUCATION WITH VEX EXP ROBOTICS
Sponsored by The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center
Throughout their four years in the STEM program, Olentangy Academy students pursue advances in robotics and artificial intelligence through the exploration of coding, hardware design, digital communication, and project-based learning. The VEX EXP Robotics kits facilitate hands-on application of the concepts students are mastering in their academic classes. Each year, all 250 students enrolled in the STEM program will use the VEX EXP Robotics kits to engage in learning experiences that promote collaboration across multiple subject areas and develop future-ready skills.
ORANGE MIDDLE SCHOOL'S CREATIVITY CENTER
Sponsored by M/I Homes
OOMS is hoping to use this grant to partially fund a Creativity Center. The goal is that teachers will check-out this innovative space and bring their classes to brainstorm, design, build, and create. This space will house a 3D printer, a green screen, iPads for video production, cameras for photography, and more! There will be something for everyone! We envision each student's passions and interests driving their designs as they make their visions come to life! This will be a great way for teachers to get students thinking differently about what they are learning!
OUTDOOR LEARNING STATIONS
Sponsored by The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center
Outdoor story-walk frames will be installed around Alum Creek Elementary’s school property. The frames will allow educators to provide students with a variety of unique outdoor learning experiences. The frames will not only be used to implement story-walks, but they will also be utilized to create learning stations, mindfulness walks, sensory stations, exercise stations and displaying high quality student work.
BUILDING THINKING CLASSROOMS IN MATHEMATICS USING VERTICAL NON-PERMANENT SURFACES
Sponsored by Schottenstein Real Estate
Students need the opportunity to discuss mathematical concepts by exploring numbers, trying new strategies, and learning from others in the classroom. Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics by Using Vertical NonPermanent Surfaces will be used to allow students to work in groups on vertical whiteboards positioned around the room. Students can learn from each other in their group, or they can gain new ideas and perspectives analyzing the work from others. The grant money will be used to purchase Wipebook Flip Charts and Easels for teachers to set up multiple workstations around the room for students to utilize while solving high-quality problems.
SPECIALIZED LEARNING CENTER SMART TECHNOLOGY FUNCTIONAL INTEGRATION PROJECT
Sponsored by Delaware Pediatric Dentistry
Technology is a great and powerful equalizer that can significantly and positively impact the lives of students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. By increasing independence and self-determination through student agency, secondary students have the opportunity to pursue maximum learning and obtain meaningful employment and independent living. Through the implementation of a variety of motivating and accessible technology in Specialized Learning Centers, therapy rooms, and learning kitchens in high schools across the district as well as the Academy for Community Transition (ACT) program housed at Olentangy Academy, students will have the opportunity to learn functional life skills and control their environment through the power of their words or actions. The Specialized Learning Center Smart Technology Functional Integration Project grant includes: Google Nest Hub devices with associated smart light bulbs and smart plugs in addition to kitchen accommodations such as smart microwaves and the Color Coded Chef program.
INNOVATIVE MAKERSPACE EXPANSION
Sponsored by Robertson Construction
A middle school makerspace expansion will enhance the learning experiences for students at Hyatts Middle School. New equipment and materials will provide added opportunities for student exploration and creative expression. This expansion will allow students to grow their connections with art, nature, and design.
WHITEBOARD TABLES TO SUPPORT SOCIALLY SHARED REGULATION AND COLLABORATION IN THE AP ENGLISH CLASSROOM
Sponsored by HR Imaging
AP English is a course intended to cultivate reading, writing and communication skills that students need for “intellectually responsible civic engagement.” This grant will be used to purchase circular whiteboard tables that will offer students an opportunity to share a range of ideas and experiences. With these white board tables students will be able to question, listen, document, name and more- all strategies that will establish positive and thoughtful learning cultures necessary to teach civic discourse.