Caldwell School Gets Grant for 'Blended Learning Classroom'

Steelcase Education has awarded a $50,000 grant to Grover Cleveland Middle School (GCMS) in Caldwell, for the installation of an active learning classroom through the Active Learning Center (ALC) program, a grant initiative launched in 2014.

According to a release, 12 schools and universities including GCMS were selected to receive grants from more than 540 applicants. Awardees were selected based on their “unique approaches to active learning.”

The active learning center – due to be installed during the summer of 2015 - will be used for an expansion of the Science-Technology-Engineering-Mathematics (STEM) program at GCMS. The STEM program, initiated by GCMS principal James Brown in 2013, is currently housed in the former wood shop at the school. Custodians renovated the space, and Brown received grants from the Rotary Club of the Caldwells and the Caldwell-West Caldwell Education Foundation to purchase laptops and robotics equipment. The expansion will include renovation of the former metal shop room and includes the room design, furniture and equipment installation, and training of staff associated with the new space.

The ALC grant will enable the school to create a “Blended Learning Classroom” in the former metal shop adjacent to the existing STEM classroom. Each grant covers the furniture, integrated technology, design, installation and post-occupancy evaluation for one of three classroom types designed for 28 to 32 students. Eligible classrooms must be in the United States and Canada, serving grades 6 to 12 or within a college or university. Grants are valued between $35,000 and $50,000.

Representatives from DS&D, an interior solutions firm that focuses on fostering growth and productivity through creating great spaces at work, will work with Steelcase and GCMS to help design the classroom layout and select everything from wall colors to furniture options to room layout.

In addition to receiving a new classroom, GCMS will receive training from Steelcase leaders on the uses of the technology and furniture in their new space and will have the opportunity to participate in a community of practice with all awarded schools to share insights and best practices. Over the two-year program, Steelcase will evaluate student and educator engagement in the newly designed space.

“Caldwell – West Caldwell has shown its commitment to active learning strategies and student engagement in the classroom,” stated Sean Corcorran, General Manager of Steelcase Education. “With this new learning environment, Grover Cleveland Middle School will be able to utilize a flexible learning space that allows educators to explore the capabilities of an environment built specifically for improved engagement and collaboration.”

Photo courtesy of Christine Corliss

Photo caption: From left, Superintendent James Heinegg, Supervisor of Maintenance and Operations Frank Ennis, GCMS Principal James Brown, and NJ Business Manager for Steelcase George Hidalgo, and seated in a few of the chairs that will furnish the new science room, and DS&D Account Executives Laura Harrington and Maureen Tracy.

Send Caldwell area news tips to eric.kiefer@patch.com