Innovation Showcase 2024: Teacher Innovation Grants take the boundaries of education beyond the classroom

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WTRF) – IU1 and the West Virginia Public Education Collaborative are pedaling into innovation, allowing teachers and students to take education beyond the boundaries of the classroom.

Projects that were merely ideas are made reality because of Intermediate Unit 1 and WVPEC’s partnership in providing Innovation Mini Grants of up to $5,000 to local teachers.

Schools from across the Northern Panhandle and Pennsylvania got the chance to display their projects made possible by this funding at the annual Innovation Showcase.

”This is one of my favorite events throughout the year just to see that as a result of this funding, the opportunities that it provides students and educators to provide innovative programing and services that they may not have been able to offer as a result of this funding. So, it’s just so rewarding.”

Kristen Szewczyk – Assistant Executive Director, Intermediate Unit 1

This is also the first year for West Virginia Public Education Collaborative’s involvement in these grants.

”Our mission through these grants is to elevate the teaching profession and show that we believe in teachers’ ability to know what needs done and their innovative qualities.”

Donna Peduto – Executive Director, West Virginia Public Education Collaborative

Hands-on activities that are interdisciplinary elevate the education experience, like Brooke High School Science teacher Mr. McCoy’s Cycle-Ops project that generates electricity, makes smoothies, and even spin art!

”I already have a couple of ideas for a few more projects in the future I’d like run by IU1, but they’ve been really great with helping me bring some of my ideas to fruition in the classroom, and I really appreciate all the assistance they’ve provided us.”

Charles McCoy – Science Teacher, Brooke County High School

Innovation extends down to Ohio County, where three of their elementary schools – West Liberty, Warwood, and Woodsdale – all shared their creativity, as well.

”I wanted to use this to show the students that the things that they think are fun and cool that they’re putting on their Christmas list, like 3D printers, drones, that kind of thing.  They’re not just for making toys like we see here, but they can use them as a career when they get older.”

Brandy Lackie – 4 ^th and 5 ^th Grade Math Teacher, West Liberty Elementary School

Of course, none of these opportunities would be possible without funders like the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, EQT, and Equitrans.

”We simply provide the dollars, but the dollars do help those teachers come up with those ideas, and then the students really get excited. I love being a part of that and hearing what they’ve created, showing it.”

Ellen Rossi – President, EQT Foundation

”It’s inspiring to see both the educators that are here today, the young people that are here today that been active participants from everything from design to implementation, and probably even kind of thinking about how do we continue to refine and grow some of these new and innovative practices?”

Melanie Claxton – Senior Program Officer for Education, Benedum Foundation

It’s those young students that will take these fun and innovative projects into their future stages of life.

”It definitely keeps us a lot more engaged in the classroom than, you know, getting bored, sitting and doing a worksheet. We’re really grateful for our gifted program to give us the opportunities that we have.”

Levi Chapman – 8 ^th Grader, McDowell County Schools

”It’s really cool, you know, showing our project off, after we’ve done all this hard work over these couple of weeks and months.”

Braxton Pace – 8 ^th Grader, McDowell County Schools

By scanning this QR code, you’ll have access to an in-depth look into all of the amazing projects showcased throughout the tri-state area.

Applications for Teacher Innovation Mini-Grant funding of up to $5,000 through IU1 is officially open, and can be found HERE .

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