Area school projects win WOW Prizes
The look on Kennedy Junior High teacher Michael Klick's face said "WOW" on Monday when he received a grant from the Naperville Education Foundation.
Klick's classroom will receive $1,750 to buy a 3-D printer so students can create models of houses designed to run on alternative energy sources.
The idea impressed judges, who made Klick one of five recipients of the second annual WOW Prize to support innovative projects in Naperville Unit District 203.
WOW Prizes started last year when the foundation realized it was about to reach the $1 million mark in grants given since 1993 to support cultural studies, fine arts, health and physical development, literacy, math and science, and general initiatives.
This year, Klick's math and science WOW Prize joined others that totaled roughly $9,500. Other recipients include:
• Maura Anderson of the Connections transition program for students with special needs received $1,862 for microConnections: Forged in Friendship, a program to promote job skills, literacy and citizenship by supporting students to work in creative environments. The money will help the students create stationary, fleece blankets, dog treats, and organic herbs and vegetables to sell.
• Lisa Xagas, Kristin Fitzgerald and Allsion Polk were given $3,600 to expand the SUCCESS parent organization at Naperville North High School to Beebe and Mill elementary schools and Jefferson Junior High. The program will help parents partner with educators to close achievement gaps. The money will buy tote bags and food and provide two speakers and child care for events during the summer at the three schools establishing the SUCCESS group.
• Sandra Volling at Elmwood Elementary can host A Dark and Spooky Reading Night using a $970 grant for books, a banner and decorations. The literacy promotion event will allow kids to choose the spookiness of a story they can hear or read aloud.
• Janet Taylor and Anna Kraftson received $1,300 to create The Interactive Gallery at Naperville North High School. The money will fund an iPad Pro and a kiosk to be installed in the auditorium lobby so the interactive touch screen can bring student art to life.