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Students excitedly navigate robots through an obstacle course and discuss their latest coding project as another day in the STEAM Lab begins. Chatter starts to slow and the class is collectively mesmerized by a new 3D printer project coming to life. Then, like a flip of a switch, students are creating a list of dream projects they can make using a 3D printer.

All grades at Fir Grove Elementary School are growing their coding knowledge and having fun with technology, thanks to BEF’s crowdfunding platform, Beaverton’s Choice, and generous matching funds from Intel. Even the youngest learners are enjoying the ultimate in hands-on learning, as students interact with Sphero Bolt robots to complete increasingly more difficult coding challenges and watch 3D printer magic happen in front of their eyes.

“I LOVE how much energy there is in the Technology Lab now!” said Joyce Debusk, Fir Grove ESL teacher. 

The STEAM Lab, affectionately called the Look, Learn and Dream Center, is especially meaningful to Fir Grove’s Title 1 students because many will only have exposure to this inspiring technology at school. In class students can see first-hand how studies link to real-life, tangible outcomes that fit in the palm of their hand.

“Technology is now my child’s favorite class. She can’t wait to go each week and discover what new project they are working on,” added one parent. Learn more about Beaverton’s Choice today!

“Cantaninja,” one student loudly exclaims! 

He then executes three exuberant high kicks and shouts out the name of a popular Spanish song. Music quickly spills into Profe Shipley’s Spanish class and excited energy fills the air as students experience the sounds and culture of the language they are studying.
 

Using cantaninja as a brain break, the class continues to experience Spanish through different formats. Students hear popular and relevant examples of Spanish through real-life examples. This new curriculum, which creates stronger and more lasting connections than traditional textbooks, was made possible through BEF’s crowdfunding platform, Beaverton’s Choice. 

Shipley has seen her Whitford Middle School students’ Spanish skills and engagement steadily grow after incorporating the new curriculum. Even students who are hesitant to speak in class are joining in. 

“Many students have shared how much fun they are having in Spanish class,” explained Shipley, “Seeing them engaged and excited, while learning so much, is a deeply joyful experience.”

One student explained, “I didn’t think I was going to like Spanish, but this is really fun,” adding, “I’m really into music. Now I can understand a whole bunch more of it – because this brings my two favorite classes together.” 

Students aren’t the only ones with praise for the new approach to language studies. Parents are thanking Shipley for taking time to think of their kids, with one exclaiming, “Adam loves his Spanish class!”

Learn more about all the great projects seeking funding on Beaverton’s Choice.

Intel announced today that Beaverton Education Foundation will receive $50,000 from its 25 for 25 campaign, celebrating the 25th anniversary of its Ronler Acres site. 

More than 6,000 Intel employees participated in the selection process, raising $150,000 for four organizations that support education, food security and economic development in the communities surrounding Ronler Acres. Intel then decided to nearly double the employee pledges to a total of $300,000. Of that, BEF will receive $50,000.

“Intel and our employees have a long history of giving back to our local communities. As we celebrate Ronler Acres’ 25th anniversary, we also celebrate our longstanding commitment to those around us,” says Ann Kelleher, executive vice president and general manager of technology development at Intel Corporation. “We are part of our community, and it’s extremely important that we give back. We look forward to a promising future in Oregon and continued engagement with our community.” 

Beaverton Education Foundation is grateful to Intel for its partnership with us since our earliest days, and for this latest donation in honor of its 25 years as a backbone of the region. With Intel’s long-standing tradition of supporting BEF, we launched and expanded our Building STEAM 4 All programming, teaching students to think critically across subjects, while delivering valuable real-world skills. Intel has also been a long-time supporter of BEF’s Kids Count summer and after school programs, creating opportunities for thousands of students of all ages. 

“Intel’s trust in BEF inspires us,” says Kristine Baggett, BEF’s executive director, “and their investment enables us to continue working toward our mission to help students across all 54 Beaverton schools learn, thrive and reach their highest potential.”

Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) education provides students with tools to think critically across subjects, while delivering valuable real-world skills. That’s why BEF’s Building STEAM 4 All Initiative, backed by generous support from local businesses and foundations, helps teachers integrate STEAM into their classrooms and expand access for students who are underrepresented in the sciences: girls, low-income students and students of color. 

During summer and fall 2021, BEF made 11 Beaverton’s Choice awards to bring STEAM opportunities to more than 2,100 students across the District. Since Building STEAM 4 All launched in 2008, it’s funded programs in all Beaverton schools. These make an immediate impact on the educational experiences our students have, as well as inspire future career choices.

Highlights from the most recent Building STEAM 4 All awards:  

Arts and Communications Magnet Academy (ACMA) launched its first robotics team. This group of middle and high school students began designing, building and coding robots to compete against other teams. Together they are learning about business, fundraising and outreach, in addition to the coding, designing and engineering involved in getting ready to compete.

Building blocks are a low tech way to teach high tech skills. Through play and building with blocks, students gain practical knowledge around geometry, physics, planning and collaboration. At Kinnaman Elementary School, students have new Keva Planks to learn hands-on ways to make their ideas come alive. Students of all ages at Kinnaman now have additional experience planning, building, revising, innovating and collaborating.

Middle schoolers at Mountainview’s Tech Lab took what they were learning about making 3D models and digital manufacturing, and brought it to life in their classroom with a new 3D printer. These students not only applied what they were learning, they were introduced to different career options. 

Hiteon Elementary’s fifth graders have a new component of their daily math routine — a calendar program that’s engaging and exciting them as they learn. The program creates opportunities for discussions, problem solving, and short written exercises, all at the appropriate grade level. 

BEF is grateful to our many funders who are helping bring science, technology, engineering, arts and math into Beaverton schools this year, including First Tech Federal Credit Union, Genentech Foundation, Intel, New Seasons Market, NW Natural, PGE Foundation, Spirit Mountain Community Fund, U.S. Bank, Vernier Software & Technology, and Wells Fargo Foundation.

Visit Beaverton’s Choice to learn more about the latest STEAM-focused projects.

BEF’s Board of Directors represents the voices of our community, bringing together local experts to lead the organization as we work to inspire and prepare Beaverton’s students for their brightest future. Kimberly Ogadhoh joined the BEF board in late 2018 with a background in international development and early childhood education and development and a drive to support Beaverton’s students. She’s taught first grade, worked with humanitarian organizations including Save the Children UK, Oxfam America and UK’s Comic Relief, and written about supporting education for children living in difficult circumstances. Kimberly’s been a Beaverton public school parent from pre-K through high school. We asked Kimberly a few questions about her role as a board member and what inspires her to donate her time to BEF. 

Why did you join the BEF board?

I was encouraged by the changing demographics of Beaverton School District, and the willingness of educators and administrators to support those changes. I wanted to be a part of that support. I also have a professional background in early childhood education and development, but internationally. I thought working with BEF would be a good way to better understand how school works locally.

What impresses you about BEF?

BEF has a history of being responsive to stakeholders. I like how BEF listens to teachers and administrators about what their needs are and supports them to turn their ideas into relevant programs and activities. 

What do you do as a BEF board member?

I’m currently the secretary on the Executive Committee of the Board, and I was on the committee that re-envisioned BEF’s mission, vision and values recently. And I’m also on the Program Committee, which is really where my passion is. We’re working to strengthen Beaverton’s Choice to make it more accessible, easier to use and more widely known as a funding channel.

What’s your most memorable BEF moment so far?

Last spring, I visited a Safe and Sound 4 Student Success Program (S4) session at Conestoga Middle School. It was fun to see kids finally get back to playing sports and enjoying themselves during the pandemic, and I appreciate touching base with students. 

What inspires you to volunteer at Answer the Call and previous phone-a-thons?

Fundraising is something I enjoy and it’s fun to watch students do it. Students who are initially hesitant to talk on the phone grow in confidence during the session as they raise hundreds and hundreds of dollars. That first donation is like a lightbulb, and they see their own power. I just love watching philanthropy become a part of these students’ lives.

How else do you give back to the community?

Right now, BEF is the main focus of my community service. Previously, I was a board member of the Cultural Coalition of Washington County for several years. When my children attended the International School of Beaverton (ISB), for many years I helped to organize Culture Week there, a celebration of the diversity of ISB’s multicultural students, and helped arrange for young leaders from Africa participating in WorldOregon’s international visitor program to visit ISB. 

What are your favorite things to do in Beaverton?

Beaverton is changing and I love the growing number of international grocery stores, restaurants and cafes. I want to give a shout out to a fairly new Kenyan tea and chocolate shop, Mamancy Tea and Chocolate, and to Dabba Indian Kitchen in Bethany — two of my favorite places right now in Beaverton. I also love Beaverton’s cultural events, like the Night Market at the Round.