Schools
RI Foundation 'Spark' Grants Encourage Creative Learning
Students at Fishing Cove had the opportunity to build and launch model rockets thanks to a grant from the Rhode Island Foundation.
NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI – Third grade students at Fishing Cove Elementary had the opportunity to build and launch model rockets thanks to a grant from the Rhode Island Foundation. Open to third and fourth-grade teachers across the state, the grants of up to $1,000 help create opportunities to teach in fun, hands-on ways.
For the Fishing Cove students, what could otherwise be a boring indoor science lesson was transformed into a fun day as they lined up for their chance to shoot their rocket high into the air while learning important concepts including gravity, trajectory and aerodynamics.
"The opportunity to build and launch a model rocket is an exciting way to spark an invested interest in science. Incorporating model rocketry into our student's academic career will develop their problem-solving skills and ultimately motivate students in future STEAM activities," said third-grade teacher Robert Lucas.
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Six other Fishing Cove teachers have received spark grants for their classes, totaling nearly $7,000. The other teachers are Jessica Rodrigues, Lisa Ferrie, Lisa Armstrong, Michele Haskell, Marea Rice and Lane Leedahl.
The project was funded by a Spark Grant from the Rhode Island Foundation, which provides third and fourth-grade teachers with grants of up to $1,000. Since the program's creation in 2013, the foundation has given out more than $750,000 to educators across the state. The grants are funded by the Carter family and are aimed at "sparking" a love of learning in children.
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"Once again, the Carter family is promoting change through leadership. Thanks to their foresight, teachers all over Rhode Island have an exceptional opportunity to be innovative," said Neil D. Steinberg, president and CEO of the foundation.
The foundation says that schools across the state have received grants, including Barrington, Bristol, Burrillville, Charlestown, Cranston, Cumberland, East Providence, Foster, Lincoln, North Providence, Pawtucket, Portsmouth, Providence, Scituate, Smithfield, Warren, Warwick, and Woonsocket.
The next round of funding is expected to be made available later this year. More information is available on the foundation's website.
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