Author: BEF Author

Since 2008 with just nine projects, Building STEAM 4 All has continued to provide support and focus on the integration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math into Beaverton schools. During the COVID-era, the work through over 700 BEF-funded projects, helped position the current generation of students and educators to meet the demands of virtual and hybrid school. 

“In the course of investigating STEAM topics, students continually need to define, evaluate, and respond to problems they encounter along the way,” said Kinnaman Elementary teacher, Michael Reed. “Once you have encountered a problem, designed a solution, and then brought it into reality, you gain a feeling that anything is possible.”

Additionally, vital hands-on Building STEAM 4 All project requests continued to receive funding to support Beaverton’s educators and respond to student need, during Comprehensive Distance Learning and Hybrid instruction.

Whitford Middle School students can now design, develop, and create their own products for purchase in their student store using a vinyl cutter, 3D printers, and CNC router thanks to BEF support. These tools not only encourage creativity, they also align with middle school technology targets, high school CTE programs, and create valuable career training opportunities for middle schoolers.

In the fall, following a lesson on the history and mathematics of geometric art, Sunset High School students attended a virtual field trip at New York’s MoMath Museum. Thanks to BEF funding, students explored geometric artist Anton Bakker exhibit called “Alternative Perspective” and connected their learning to a real life experience, all without leaving their home.

As we reflect on STEM Week Oregon (May 8 -16) let’s celebrate the transformational impact STEAM education is making in our schools. Visit Beaverton’s Choice to learn more about the latest STEAM-focused projects.

Storytelling helps children become active listeners, develop empathy, and create a strong foundation for cultural awareness. Kindergarten teacher, Jennifer Tonges, was excited to teach these skills in her Springville classroom using a hands-on approach, but quickly realized she needed additional supplies to ensure classroom opportunities were equitable, engaging, and safe for her students.

Filled with a wide range of fun materials, storytelling boxes help students create and share any story they can imagine. Tiny food, model buildings, and miniature animal figurines can be reused each day to create a new story or continue adding details to their latest adventure.

In a year that has been focused on learning through screens, the bins offer a unique opportunity for hands-on play and storytelling, helping students completely immerse themselves in magical worlds of their own creation.

A perfect candidate for BEF’s Hybrid Instruction Support, Jennifer received funds during the Foundation’s first round of awards to create enough storytelling bins to engage students and adhere to COVID protocols. 

After using the storytelling supplies, the class was eager to create even more stories, “Students were asking as we left today if they could use the bins tomorrow,” said Jennifer, adding, “That’s a win in my book!”

BEF is honored we could help Springville kindergarteners begin to discover who they are and explore their creativity through hands-on play. Explore the other great classroom projects today on Beaverton’s Choice.

Thanks to our generous donors including: Dave Gettling Technology Fund, Intel Corp., First Tech Federal Credit Union, The Spirit of New Seasons Market Awards, AHS Go Warriors! Opportunity Fund, and the BEF Building STEAM 4 All Program, we have awarded $101,678, funding 49 classroom projects so far this academic year.  

Books, Books, and More Good Books for Aloha High
Teacher: Krystal Wilson

Announcing the Beaverton T1D Student Union!
Teacher: Jacob Baran

Bring Interactive virtual labs to BASE chemistry students!
Teacher: Ellen Reynolds

Help the Cedar Park Band repair our instruments!
Staff: Jennifer Stone

Rock Creek Coming Together while Safely Apart with Tech Carts
Staff: Jessica Vogel, Marcelle Helm, Ryan Beil, Tyler Darling-Dams

Stoller Pickleball: It’s kind of a big dill.
Staff: Mia Corkran, Susan Cavaletto, Jonathan Dessert, Sheri Kantor

In addition to our regular Beaverton’s Choice opportunities in April, BEF recognized the quick transition staff members were asked to make for In-Person Hybrid Learning. We asked what you needed and you answered, submitting requests to support over 7,800 students across the District. From microphones and speakers to PE equipment and art supplies, classroom needs varied by class and school and BEF responded. Requests averaged around $230, with some as modest as $25. Read more about small requests making a BIG impact!

Thanks to your generous contributions, the dollars raised are invested in programs and projects at Beaverton schools that otherwise would not be possible. For current programs, and to begin your application, please visit Beaverton’s Choice, the hub that brings community and classrooms together.  

Staff Appreciation Week (May 3-7) gives us a great opportunity to celebrate the pivotal work educators accomplish every day. In a year, where everyone has been asked to give up so much, school Staff have worked hard to provide students more ways to experience the joy of learning. 

Beyond navigating technology and distance challenges our educators still find time to make students feel special. From COVID-safe student supply deliveries and strengthening classroom connections with lunchtime and after-school Zoom meetings to extra availability and encouragement for students outside of class, school Staff continue to build new ways to create lasting bonds with students.

“My daughter’s teacher came to her softball game a couple weeks ago,” explained a Beaverton parent. “As soon as the team saw her, they cleared the bench and ran to greet her. It was magical to see the joy in their eyes and realize the positive impact teachers have even in this exceptional year. It was also nearly impossible to get them back to the game – we were up to bat!”

The Foundation works closely with educators to meet the unique needs of the ever-changing learning landscape. During this school year, 390 teachers partnered with BEF to fund critical resources, providing 33,000+ Beaverton students with additional tools and safe environments to thrive.

This week and throughout the year, join the BEF in thanking our educators for all they do.

As soon as In-Person Hybrid learning was announced, BEF asked what Staff needed – and you answered – submitting over 70 requests to support more than 7,800 students.

Drawing upon BEF’s 33 years of experience supporting Beaverton’s schools, we are partnering with our generous donors to help Staff ensure a positive experience for your students as they return to classrooms.

From microphones and speakers to PE equipment and art supplies, classroom needs vary by class and school. Requests average around $230, with some as modest as $25. It is clear; our classrooms need supplies. 

 “Many thanks again to BEF for funding our ability to meet the sensory needs of our students at Springville,” said School Counselor, Sha Fenton. “Having easy access to safe sensory bin items helps us to provide many options to students in a moment’s notice.”

More hybrid requests are submitted every day. While the supplies are funding fast due to back to school timelines, nearly all of BEF’s small Beaverton’s Choice projects fund in less than a week, truly showing small requests fund fast to create BIG IMPACT.

Contact BEF to discuss your classroom needs during Hybrid learning and all year long.