The Arlington Education Foundation (AEF) has awarded $16,000 for six Innovations in Education grants that will affect students across the school district.

Fitness, music, biotech, reading, therapy dog, warriors

“These grants represent the vast learning experiences made possible by AEF, from biotechnology at the high school to multicultural reading at Ottoson to individualized fitness in elementary schools. We are grateful to the teachers who apply for our grants and are excited to watch these programs develop,” said Julia Schilling, AEF president, in a Jan. 6 news release.

Innovations in Education grants support innovative teaching and learning in classrooms throughout the district. This fall six such grants were awarded:

Individualized Fitness: Hardy students will use pedometers and blink wristbands in physical-education classes to track their individual fitness activity and learn strategies to stay active in their daily lives.

Orff Instrumentarium: Stratton music classes will use Orff instruments, such as metallophones and glockenspiels, to teach pitch, harmony, tonality and to encourage improvisation and composition.

PCR Biotech Equipment: Arlington High School AP and tenth grade biology students will conduct experiments with miniPCR DNA Discovery Systems to learn about polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the most widely used method in biotechnology.

Read Around the World Challenge: All Ottoson students can participate in a community challenge to read one book from each continent during the school year.

Therapy Dog Training and Certification: Arlington High School will welcome a trained therapy dog to the guidance department and school community.

Warrior Fitness: In physical-education class, Dallin students will face new, engaging challenges that promote individual performance and teach lifetime fitness.

The Arlington Education Foundation is committed to enhancing teaching and learning in all of Arlington’s public schools. AEF is 100-percent volunteer-run and relies entirely on community support. Through charitable donations and business sponsorships, the foundation grants over $100,000 annually.

To learn more or apply for a grant, visit www.aefma.org.

This extended announcement was published was published Monday, Jan. 6, 2020.