"Raise the Paddle" Grants:

Thanks in part to the generaous donations from the Superintendent, the Board of Education, and Suffield Public School Administrators, about $28,000 was generated by the "Raise the Paddle" event at the annual auction.

The 2009 Raise the Paddle is dedicated to making Science come alive in all of the Suffield Schools. For the Elementary and Intermediate schools, teachers will be trained to introduce our children to new hands on programs and materials supporting their discovery of Forces and Motion, Properties and Matter, Rocks and Minerals, Magnets and Electricity and Sound. Middle School students will get the opportunity to learn about new tools and technologies used in the Real World, such as temperature probes, motion detectors and heart rate monitors. And at our High School, students be able to experience the introduction of new programs or technologies into the Science curriculum.

Bringing Science Alive in Suffield is possible with the support and vision of Rachael Manzer, the Science Coach for the district and enthusiastic Suffield Science teachers. Ms. Manzer is very active in the state of Ct in Science Education and will be accepting a national award given by The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics for Educator Achievement in Aerospace Education in May.

List of All Grants Awarded in 2009 (Raise the Paddle grants indicated with an *):

1. Kids Doing Science* - A series of hands-on activities to develop an appreciation for important concepts in the world of science. For students in grades K-5.

2. Preparing our Middle School Students for the Future* - Hand-held tools for data collection and analysis, communication, and collabration. For students at SMS.

3. New Astronomy Program* - An enhancement to the list of elective opportunities. For students at SHS.

4. Composting Kids - An idea generated by students in a Quest enrichment group to create a composting program. For students at SMS.

5. Educational Landscaping - An outdoor horticultural classroom for identifcation and landscape skill development. For students at SHS.

6. Suffield Connects - Educational video conferencing within the classroom to create interactions with students, educators, and professionals from around the world. For students in grades K-8.

7. Mimio Interactive Capture Kit - A new approach to integrating technology in the music curriculum. For students at Spaulding.

8. Mimio Board Enhancement - Incorporation of hand-held tablets to be passed among students to create higher levels of inetraction. For students at SHS.

9. Document Cameras - Replacement of overhead projectors that allow for more flexibility and to enhance classroom interaction. For students at McAlister.

10. Elements of Architectural Engineering/Drafting Technology - Development of a new elective. For students at SMS.

11. Becoming Me Theater Relaunch - A new theatre, and capabilities for recording and enhancing performances. For students at SHS.

12. Web Conference Tools - Web cams to conduct live sessions with book authors, web conferences, and other 5th grade clasrooms. For students at McAlister.

13. Showcasing Student Work - Display cases that will be maintained around Suffield to highlight the work done by elementary school students. For students at Spaulding.

14. Linking Students through Science - Outside activities to collect and study water samples in conjunction with Hollcomb Farms. For students at McAlister.