Charleston, VT – October 18, 2024 - Charleston Elementary School has been awarded a $15,000 grant from the Educate Innovate Initiative, aimed at integrating technology into the restoration of outdoor learning areas damaged by the July 2023 floods. This competitive award program, funded through a partnership between the Vermont Lottery and the Vermont Agency of Education, supports schools in enhancing educational technology programs that increase student engagement and proficiency-based learning. Charleston Elementary was one of two schools selected for the 2024 award, alongside the Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District.
Charleston Elementary, which serves 118 students from PreK through Grade 8, received the award for its proposal titled Cutting Through Devastation: Restoring Nature’s Classroom. The project, spearheaded by Library Media Specialist Theresa Bolton, focuses on using technology to repair the damage caused by the floods, which washed out bridges, boardwalks, and nature trails behind the school.
The award allowed the school to purchase a Glowforge laser cutter, providing students with hands-on experience in designing and creating environmental science signage and materials to aid in the restoration efforts. The project has involved students from concept to construction, expanding their use of the school makerspace and fostering a greater connection to the curriculum.
Vermont Agency of Education Student Pathways Division Assistant Director, Lisa Helme, visited Charleston Elementary on October 16th to witness the students’ work with the new laser cutter. She remarked, "The work at Charleston Elementary School is a great example of using technology to support student learning. The school has incorporated their new laser printer into a range of learning activities that help educators increase student engagement in meaningful ways."
Chris Lawson, Principal of Charleston Elementary School, praised Ms. Bolton’s efforts to inspire students, saying, "Theresa Bolton works extremely hard to give authentic learning opportunities to kids that are highly engaging and interesting. About two weeks ago, one of our students, who typically is reserved, took the time to talk me through the project he had created. He was choosing to use his lunch time to work on this project with Ms. Bolton. He talked to me about the design process, the programming, and then we were able to watch the Glowforge cut out the project he had created. Being able to see him light up and get excited for what he had created and think about how he could improve his project was incredibly powerful. I am excited to see what else kids create and what ideas folks have using the versatility of the tool. Theresa has been instrumental in our ability to grow our maker’s space and the resources we now can offer our kids!"
The media also took notice of the school’s efforts. Bob Conley from WCAX-TV was on hand to interview Ms. Bolton and the students about the project, highlighting the unique ways the school is integrating technology into outdoor education.
Charleston science teacher Louise Beaudry and her students worked with the Northwoods Stewardship Center to assess the flood damage before applying for the Educate Innovate award. Their findings led to a successful grant proposal to the Vermont Rural Education Consortium (VREC), which provided an additional $1,500 to repair the damaged bridges.
North Country Supervisory Union (NCSU) Technology Integrationist Desirae Breault has played a crucial role in supporting the project, teaching students to use the Cuttle design software and the Glowforge. The project has also inspired further student creativity, with eighth grade students designing and creating products like ornaments and earrings to sell as part of a fundraiser. In a fun educational twist, Grade 5 students are using the Glowforge to design parade floats based on this year’s Red Clover Books, which will be pulled by Cue robots coded by fourth graders.
In her award application, Ms. Bolton emphasized the importance of providing students in a small rural community with access to modern tools, stating, “It is imperative that our students have access to real modern-day tools and opportunities that will allow them to not only grow their skills but to imagine themselves as our future scientists, artists, engineers, fabricators, historians, or mathematicians.”
This innovative project, blending technology, environmental stewardship, and community engagement, serves as a catalyst for fostering a deeper connection between the school and the broader Charleston community.
For more information concerning the Charleston Elementary School project, contact:
Theresa Bolton, Library Media Specialist
802-895-2915, ext. 1318
Press Contact:
Liz Butterfield
Executive Assistant / Communications Coordinator
North Country Supervisory Union
802-334-5847, ext. 2025