2013 Grants

APPLIED TECHNOLOGY
Instron Testing Center powers the CAD Engineering and Material Science curriculums at LFHS with the most advanced and comprehensive technology available for testing the strength of composite material and components. Students are able to collect accurate tensile/compression data, evaluate their designs, and make adjustments based on formative results — just like professional engineers would do. Woodcraft students also can accurately test materials, joinery, and adhesives prior to creating a project, leading to better overall results.

ART
iPad Technology for Art The Art Department was awarded five iPads and a voucher for approved art applications, based on a successful 2012 pilot program. Using iPad technology, a teacher can “draw” on a student’s images to demonstrate suggested techniques and improvements without time-consuming revisions and costly printing. Images also can be projected onto a monitor for classroom viewing and discussion. In addition, iPads can store individual student projects from start to finish, creating custom portfolios 

Digital Cameras A total of four, high-quality 35mm SLR digital cameras were awarded for photography classes. These cameras give students unmatched exposure to advanced photographic principals and techniques, strengthening the curriculum. The cameras are available for student use both inside and outside the classroom, making photography classes accessible to more students. Students and teachers in other art classes also will benefit from the equipment’s extremely high-resolution images, which are essential to creating and displaying artwork. 

​Prairie Mural – See SCIENCE

MATH
​Lenovo Tablets and Chromebooks for Flipped Classroom Five Lenovo tablets and 24 Chromebooks support six “flipped” math classrooms. Flipped classrooms invert traditional teaching methods by delivering instruction through videos created by LFHS teachers, while “homework” is done in class. The tablets are used by teachers to design lesson plans and create video instruction during the summer, at night, and on weekends. The Chromebooks are used by students in the classroom to support individualized learning and clarification. The Chromebooks also can be used by students who do not have access to a computer at home. This technology offers teachers new opportunities to explore creative ways of instructing students, along with traditional methods. This grant was co-funded with the Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Learning Disabilities Association

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The Polzin Reflective and Mentoring Program is a fundamental component of our ongoing professional development at LFHS. The workshops focus on specific instructional techniques that directly translate to improved teacher performance. New and veteran teachers are able to learn side-by-side in a supportive culture, building collaboration and communication across departments. 

​The Newberry Teacher Consortium in Chicago offers a series of intellectually stimulating, content-based seminars led by scholars from area universities and colleges. The inspiring, one-day seminars give teachers tools to enrich academic content and curriculum delivery for students — as well as the opportunity to collaborate with peers from other districts in the Chicago area.

SCIENCE
Prairie Mural This grant benefits both Advanced Photography students and Environmental Science/Biology students. Advanced Photography students capture prairie plants, insects, and animals at Elawa Farms, using both panoramic and close-up shots. The high-quality images are then used by science students as important visual aids when studying relevant units. The photographs are mounted and displayed in a beautiful mural in the science hallway to be enjoyed by all. This grant was co-funded with the Association of Parents and Teachers. 

Water Bottle Filling Stations  Student-Initiated Grant The school’s eight current chilled-water fountains are retro-fitted with Water Bottle Filling Stations. Students can fill their reusable water bottles quickly and without touching the equipment. A continuous “Green Counter” on the machine shows how many disposable water bottles have been saved from the landfill — data that can be used in Environmental Sciences classes. Studies also show that hydration aids concentration and promotes learning. This grant was co-funded with the LFHS Class of 2013, Lake Forest High School, Lake Forest High School Boosters, and the Association of Parents and Teachers. 

​iPads and Testing Equipment The Science Department was awarded 30 iPads, 12 PASCO Colorimeters, 12 Energy Transfer Generators, 12 Passport Airlink 2 wireless connectors, and teacher training to add real-world research capabilities to the Environmental Science, Chemistry, and Biology classes. The PASCO Colorimeters accurately measure water pollutants. The Energy Transfer Generators allow students to discover how electricity is produced, to create wind turbines, and to explore hydroelectric power. The Airlink 2 equipment allows teachers to wirelessly connect existing PASCO probe-ware to iPads for data collection. Students can then review and analyze data from their email accounts. The iPads support a variety of additional classroom activities, including labs, research, and assessments

STUDENT SERVICES
Emotional Wellness Support This grant is part of a community-wide initiative to establish the appropriate training, programs, and services to combat depression among teens at LFHS. This is a shared grant, supported by the City of Lake Forest, LFHS APT, District 67 APT, the Spirit of 67 Foundation, the Village of Lake Bluff, District 65 PTO, and Alliance for Excellence.

WELLNESS
iPad Technology for Wellness Following last year’s successful pilot grant, seven additional iPads were awarded to the wellness department. Wellness teachers can customize their iPads with course-specific applications and videos that demonstrate exercise techniques and provide immediate feedback to students on skills and timing. This technology also helps ensure that all students in wellness classes are fully engaged and participating in meaningful physical activity.
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