Mini-Grants are Mighty
The McMinnville Education Foundation (MEF) members represent a community that values education and makes the educational enrichment of its students a priority. Established in 1998 as a 501(c)3, the mission of MEF is to expand the range of opportunities available to students in the district and to encourage excellence, innovation, and creativity in our educational systems.
Mini-Grants are an opportunity for MSD staff to enrich their classrooms, grade level teams, and whole schools by introducing projects and experiences to students which align with MEF’s mission. Since 2000, MEF has awarded 683 mini-grants valued over $608,000.
Mini-Grants Often Become Educational Programs
Our Mini-Grants reach beyond individual classrooms! Often, a teacher will pilot a program in their classroom using a Mini-Grant, and its success leads to it becoming established through the School District. Two such programs are:
Mini Grants Awarded by Year
Mini-grants were awarded for these programs at these three levels:
High School
- Grizzly Robotics
- Print Shop – for Community Transition Program students to develop essential work skills
- Empowering Attention and Deep Thinking
- Portland Art Museum – a trip to experience the photography of Paul McCartney and Psychedelic posters
- Jewelry Fabrication – after school club
- Raise the Roof – amplify indigenous stories and symbols
- NY Times Digital Subscription
- Creating Opportunity – visiting local colleges & universities to learn about their programs through live tours
- Emergency Services – nutritional wellness
Middle School
- What’s Made in McMinnville?
- Night of the Notables – students implement research, reading, writing and public speaking skills as they present themselves as a person from society who has made a positive impact in the world
- Patton Disc Golf Club – expanding participation and equipment available
- Building Thinking – throughout mathematics classrooms at Patton
Elementary School
- Orff Instruments
- Puppets & Possibilities – A joyful journey in learning and emotions
- Ukuleles and Bow Buddies
- Gaga Ball
- Published Authors
- Art Walk
- A Novel Idea – A walk in their shoes through diverse perspectives
- Junior Journalists
- Math in a snap – Shut the Box Challenge!
- Nuvo Recorders
District Wide
- Ladybug Land
Mini-grants were awarded for these programs at these three levels:
High School
- Portland Center Stage – field trips experiencing live theater production, which is so different from watching on a film, TV or your phone
- Print Shop – for Community Transition Program students to develop essential work skills
- Folklorico Showcase – A Dance of Identity performance
- Thriving in Healthy Relationships
- Libraries Develop Global Citizens – providing updated information about many countries
- NY Times Digital Subscription
- Creating Opportunity – visiting local colleges & universities to learn about their programs through live tours
Middle School
- Hands On Programming – easy, fun and engaging implementation of STEM into curriculum with Makey Makey
- Night of the Notables – students implement research, reading, writing and public speaking skills as they present themselves as a person from society who has made a positive impact in the world
- Escape Room – kit engaging through critical thinking and collaboration to escape a “locked” room
- Cadet Drumline – supporting both Duniway and Patton
- Light It Up! Greenhouse in the Winter – growing food in different environments from local community to Mars
Elementary School
- Unlocking the Code – for struggling readers
- Ukuleles for all grades – teaching about music, focusing attention, developing eye-hand coordination and having fun
- World Tour
- Enhancing Mathematical Learning – through board games
- Building Conceptual Understanding – develop skills by utilizing physical math tools
- Courtyard Garden
- Play to Grow – language games
- Musical Instruments – for entire school
- Sensory Exploration – for early learners, fostering development through sensory bins
- Brainball for all grades – a game which merges physical activity with academic learning through play
Mini-grants were awarded for these programs at these three levels:
High School
- Creating Art Opportunities – field trip exploring art colleges and careers
- Print Shop – for Community Transition students to develop essential work skills
- Fiction Fuels Learning – purchasing more fiction books for MHS library to meet the demand of the high school readers
Middle School
- Pickleball equipment – nets and rackets to learn and understand this popular, lifetime sport
- “Dear Younger Me” – writing workshop with author/professor Hillary Homzie
- Tools of the Trade – art tools to develop lifelong learners of the arts
Elementary School
- Brainball – a game which merges physical activity with academic learning through play
- Digital Cameras– providing photojournalism opportunities to support non-fiction writing and design slideshows.
- Ukuleles for 3rd – 5th grade – teaching about music, focusing attention, developing eye-hand coordination and having fun
Mini-grants were awarded for student at these three levels to:
High School
- assemble “Grizzly Robotics Rovers”
- attend Portland Center Stage performances
- participate in a writer’s conference
Middle School
- go on a salmon watch
- read books and write reviews for other students
- learn to cook
Elementary School
- study electrical engineering and robotics
- play BrainBall, an innovative way to combine academic learning with physical activity
- take field trips to learn about other cultures
