Education News & Notes
By Maria Lindsay
Dominion awards grants to
local schools
COVENTRY — The Coventry Local Schools District was among the schools and educational institutions in Summit County that began the 2007-08 academic year with a total of $7,200 in grants thanks to the Dominion Foundation.
The Dominion Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Dominion dedicated to the economic, physical and social health of the communities served by Dominion companies.
The Dominion Educational Grants Partnership Program helps schools in the company’s service areas strengthen math and science skills for kindergarteners through 12th-graders.
The grant proposals were evaluated by community and educational leaders, as well as Dominion staff. The proposals were judged on creativity, effective evaluation methods and the ability to increase student learning. Grants range from $500 to $7,500.
Coventry was awarded $5,000 to help at-risk students in third through seventh grades improve their standardized test scores. Students will use the online Skills Tutor program to take pre-tests in math and science. They will receive individual lessons created for their specific areas of weakness. Parents will be involved and encouraged to participate with their children as they receive weekly progress reports.
This year, Dominion gave nearly $290,000 in grants to 105 schools and educational organizations in 10 states. For more information on the Dominion Education Grants Partnership Program, visit www.dom.com and enter the keyword “education.”
Mad Science partners
with NASA on education
NORTH CANTON — Mad Science Group and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have partnered to launch the development of the Academy of Future Space Explorers.
The Mad Science Group, a science enrichment provider, has teamed up with NASA in an effort to spark the imagination of millions of children and encourage more youth to pursue science, technology, engineering and math-related careers.
The organizations have leveraged NASA research, missions and initiatives to jointly develop fun and engaging space-themed activities for elementary school-aged children. The unique space-inspired curriculum has been integrated into Mad Science’s various enrichment initiatives, including after-school programs, birthday parties, summer camps and community events organized by franchises across the United States.
“More than ever before, we must encourage children’s interest and enthusiasm for the sciences early in life,” said Ariel Shlien, chief executive officer of Mad Science Group. “The Mad Science Group is thrilled to partner with NASA on this unique initiative, to help change children’s perceptions about the sciences, and inspire the next generation of astronauts, physicists, engineers and scientists.”
The Academy of Future Space Explorers will encourage children’s curiosity about Earth, the moon, Mars and beyond through creative hands-on experiments and engaging demonstrations. Participants will explore topics such as planets and moons, the atmosphere and beyond, space phenomena, the sun and stars, rocket science, space travel, space technology and living in space.
Mad Science of Northeast Ohio is located at 7000 Wales Ave. N.W.
For more details, visit www.madscience.org or www. nasa.gov/education.
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