Innovation Grant Program
About the Program
UDEF has funded nearly $80,000 in educator grants and $15,000 in student grants since 2021. Each year, the Upper Dublin Education Foundation awards educator grants to give all students, grades K-12, access to extraordinary learning opportunities. The Innovation Grant Program inspires and empowers our teachers, engages our students and enhances District curriculum. In addition, we have also supported students' big ideas through a student grant program.
We are grateful for the generous support from individuals, corporations and private foundations that make our Innovation Grant program possible. Any new project, idea, or innovation for which funding is sought must be aligned with the Foundation's overall mission of enhancing the educational experiences and lifetime opportunities of students in our District.
​
Grant applications are reviewed in the fall and the spring. The next deadline is May 1, 2024.
Grants 2022-23
Makey Makey in Library STEM Class for Engineering & Engagement
Grant Recipient: Mary DePaul, FWES
​
Save Me a Seat for FWES Book Club
Grant Recipients: Kathleen Place, Lauren Weihenmayer, FWES
​
Building Phonemic Awareness with Manipulatives
Grant Recipients: Kathleen Place, Lauren Weihenmayer, FWES
​
Class Connect for Wonder Robots
Grant Recipient: Erica Stianchi, MGES
​
Green Screen Enhancement
Grant Recipient: Mark Feliciani, SRMS
​
Parlay Ideas
Grant Recipient: Cody Crooke, UDHS
​
Eric Carle Children’s Books in French, German & Spanish
Grant Recipient: Christine Jones, UDHS
​
Bringing Bio Labs into the 21st Century with Probes
Grant Recipients: Chris Smith, Brian Palme, UDHS
​
STEAM & Sensory Activities for Unified Arts
Grant Recipient: Crystal Dunn, UDHS
​
Using a Laser Cutter to Support Project Based Learning in
STEM Business Classes
Grant Recipients: Alana Mellor, Mary Jane Lyons, UDHS
​
Whisper Phones for 1st Grade Readers
Grant Recipients: 1st Grade Teachers, All Elementary Schools
Expanding the Planetarium Program
Grant Recipients: Kim Small, Robert Miller, SRMS
​
Piano Experience
Grant Recipient: Nathaniel Arnold, UDHS
​
Reading Autonomy with Vox Talking Books and IR Books
Grant Recipient: Mary DePaul, FWES
​
Live Streaming Upgrade
Grant Recipient: Jason Trantas, UDHS
​
Math Toolbox
Grant Recipients: Maureen Higgins - Colleen Middendorf - Nicole Winters - Maureen Yarnell, MGES
​
For the Love of iPads in the Library
Grant Recipient: Cathy Dashoff, TFES
​
Breakout.Edu Kits for Cooperative Problem-Solving
Grant Recipient: Jeff Dillon, FWES/TFES
​
Coloring Opportunities for Students
Grant Recipient: Jessica Sachson, UDHS
​
2nd Grade Lending Library to Build Home and School Connections
Grant Recipients: Kate Duncheskie - Ali Hammarquist -Twiggy Paige, FWES
​
ThingLink Subscription
Grant Recipient: MaryJane Lyons, UDHS
​
Announced Spring 2022:
​
Literature Circles - MGES
Grant Recipient: Matthew Dorneman
​
Seeding the Future through Hydroponics in the Classroom - SRMS
Grant Recipient: Hannah Kim
​
Global Fiction Book Club - Coming of Age During Times of Adversity - SRMS
Grant Recipient: Kerry Lake
​
Melting Permafrost Simulation and Analysis - UDHS
Grant Recipient: Chris Smith
​
Stacking Up Math Skills - JTES
Grant Recipients: Melissa Traber - Lisa Downs
Laura Schmuckler - Brittnie Boyda - Carolyn Brightbill - Brenda Caviston - Donna Polin
Student Grants
In May 2023, UDEF awarded Ms. Loch's Environmental Science Project Based Learning (PBL) class a grant for "The Think Garden,"an outdoor classroom and learning space in the currently unused UDHS history courtyard. Working with the history department as their client, the group will be creating a more harmonious experience that fosters educational productivity, community, well being and a connection to nature.
​
In 2022, UDEF piloted a Student Innovation Grant program and awarded our first grant to Ms. Loch's PBL class for "The Hive," an outdoor learning area at UDHS designed to restore, regenerate and connect.
​
Interested in applying for a student grant? Please contact Michelle Boas at mboas@udsd.org.