Past Winners

Innovation in Learning Environments Grant Winners

2021 Winners

The Kansas City Chapter is proud to announce the winners of our fourth annual Innovation in Learning Environments Grant. The board reviewed the applications anonymously, with all specific district and name information removed. The submissions were all well thought out, wonderful ideas on how to impact learning for kids in our area. It was a difficult decision, but the following four entries were selected as winners of $2,000 each for 2021.

Focusing on the E – Adding Engineering Challenges to our STEM Makerspace
Engineering Essentials curricular components for 1st - 5th grade students to explore hands-on engineering design challenges.

Blue Valley School District, Timber Creek Elementary School
Paula Naden, Librarian

RayPec Enterprise & Design
Flexible furniture to support integrated, problem-based learning opportunities where students connect directly with business partners.

Raymore Peculiar School District, Raymore Peculiar High School
Kristel Barr, Director of Secondary Education

Eagle Eats and Embroidery
Focusing on practical learning like financial literacy, interpersonal skills, and problem solving through real-world experiences in a hospitality focused, micro-school convenience store.

Liberty School District, Liberty North High School
Dr. Precious Kurth, Principal

Flexible Furniture for C.O.R.E
Supporting a micro-school concept to provide an alternate high school experience without the stigma of being "alternative."

Hickman Mills School District, Burke Academy
Katie Roe, Executive Director of Secondary Schools

2020 Winners

The Kansas City Chapter is proud to announce the winners of our third annual Innovation in Learning Environments Grant. The board reviewed the applications anonymously, with all specific district and name information removed. The submissions were all well thought out, wonderful ideas on how to impact learning for kids in our area. It was a difficult decision, but the following four entries were selected as winners of $2,000 each for 2020.

Recharge, Rejuvenate and Live Healthy in the Library
Helping students manage stress in an effective, appropriate way through space and programs.

North Kansas City School District, Oak Park High School
Angela Van Batavia, Librarian

Coding in Early Childhood Education
Introducing coding to early childhood grades with interactive, hands-on learning.

Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Saint Elizabeth School
Stephanie Moore, Instructional Technology Coach

Technical Math and Tools
Critical tools and resources to bring real-life math to students interested in technical, vocational or trade schools.

Lone Jack School District, Lone Jack High School
Emily Smith, Math Teacher

Tech by Design
Enhancing the makerspace experience with technology and multi-media tools to showcase innovative learning.

Liberty School District, Heritage Middle School
Preston Hickert, Middle School Teacher

2019 Winners

The Kansas City Chapter is proud to announce the winners of our second annual Innovation in Learning Environments Grant. We received 55 applications from districts on both sides of the state line. The board reviewed the applications anonymously, with all the specific district and name information removed. The submissions were all well thought out, wonderful ideas on how to impact learning for kids in our area. It was a difficult decision, but the following 4 entries were selected as winners of $2,000 each for 2019. These winners will share how their efforts created innovation in learning at an A4LE event in 2020.

Honeybees for High School
Implementation of a honeybee hive as a school-wide, cross-curricular project

Olathe School District, Olathe West High School
Kelly Kluthe, Science Teacher

Read the article about our A4LE Grant
Winner in the Kansas City Star!

Professional Learning Cohorts
Implementation of EXPLORE Cohorts for 4th & 5th graders with a focus on (5) STEM fields that connect learning to the community

Blue Valley School District, Wolf Springs Elementary School
Kaitlyn Haberberger, Blended Learning Coach

The Future is Bright in Buckner!
Media Center based robotics and green screen video program to support all students

Fort Osage School District, Buckner Elementary School
Margie Anderson, Library Media Specialist

Technology Innovation Studio
Multi-use technology space for one-to-one support, coding/VR, client conferencing and project collaboration

Platte County School District, Platte County High School
Sarah Larson, Technology Teacher

2018 Winners

The Kansas City Chapter is proud to announce the winners of our first annual Innovation in Learning Environments Grant. We received 46 applicants from 14 school districts on both sides of the state line. The board reviewed the applications anonymously, with all the specific district and name information removed. The submissions were all well thought out, wonderful ideas on how to impact learning for kids in our area. It was a difficult decision, but the following 4 entries were selected as winners of $1,500 each for 2018.

Mission: Student Centered Active Learning Spaces
Flexible furniture and equipment for learning