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 Students will conduct self-paced math lessons that will allow
them to work at an advanced level, as well as conduct virtual
science experiments and share results with a larger educational
community with the computers. The district will also use the
Chromebooks during a parent education program designed to connect
parents to the ideas and technologies their children are learning to
use at school.
“The Chromebooks will increase the resources teachers have available
to meet the various needs of students in their classrooms and the
instructional demands of teaching science,” said District Librarian
Dee Hohenshell. “The enriched environment will foster critical
thinking skills and networking beyond the classroom walls. Only when
technology is readily available in the classroom for every student
can the STEM ideals be achieved.”
According to Hohenshell, area farmers have emphasized the importance
of knowing how to use technology to be successful in the field of
agriculture. This past spring, local farmers nominated the district
for a chance to apply for the grant. School administrators then
designed a science-based project for the grant application. Once all
of the school district applications were submitted, a panel of math
and science teachers reviewed each application and selected
finalists. An advisory council, composed of farmer-leaders with an
interest in agriculture and education, then selected the winning
grant applications from a pool of finalists.
“Agriculture has become one of the most technologically advanced
industries, so farmers are very aware of the need for superior math
and science education, particularly in their own communities,” said
Monsanto Customer Advocacy Lead Linda Arnold. “We are proud to
partner with farmers to support the things that are most important
to them—schools, youth, and their community.”
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 Midwest Central CUSD 191 celebrated receiving the grant on
Monday, September 29th, before the varsity volleyball game.
Nominating farmers, school representatives and a local Monsanto
representative Derek Struebing attended the event. Superintendent
Todd Hellrigel, who also attended the check presentation, added that
Midwest Central values and appreciates the support from our local
farming community and that their nomination made this grant
possible.
Grow Rural Education encourages farmers to nominate a local
public school district, which can then compete for a grant of up
to $25,000. Since 2011, Grow Rural Education has invested more
than $7 million to support math and science education in rural
school districts across the country.
This program is part of the America’s Farmers initiative, which
partners with farmers to support education, service
organizations and youth in rural America. Visit
GrowRuralEducation.com to see the full list of winners for this
year. A sister program, America’s Farmers Grow Communities is
currently in its enrollment period. To sign up, visit
GrowCommunities.com.
[Todd
Hellrigel, Midwest Central School]
About America’s Farmers
The America’s Farmers campaign highlights the importance of modern
US Agriculture through communications and community outreach
programs that partner with farmers to impact rural America. To learn
more, visit America’s Farmers at
www.AmericasFarmers.com
About the Monsanto Fund
The Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of the Monsanto Company, is
a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the communities
where farmers and Monsanto Company employees live and work. Visit
the Monsanto Fund at
www.monsantofund.org
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