Amy R. Hamann

Hamann plans to use the ING grant funds to purchase laptops to help teach eighth-grade students the value of energy conservation. Her program, "Conservation Smarts Using Technology" will facilitate online research to gather information on energy conservation, including strategies and solutions for daily life. Hamann hopes that the discovery of eye-opening findings about different energy sources and uses, and ways of conserving energy and available natural resources will help students become stewards of their communities and the Earth. After researching this valuable information, students will make others aware of energy conservation issues and Earth-friendly strategies through school and community presentations that cover the importance of energy conservation. This project will give students the positive tools needed to help them make better decisions about energy conservation each day. Hamann is a resident of Michigan City. John F. Dearing, Janie Umcer, Mark Wilson, Amanda Teets and Kyle Chezem (2008) Kesling Middle School La Porte, IN Dearing and his four colleagues developed the 13-week problem-based curriculum "Mysteries of Kesling Middle School" program to increase science, math, social studies and language arts achievement as students search for answers in a treasure hunt. Each lesson will take place in one of Epcot Center's 11 accurately-depicted countries, where teachers will act as virtual tour guides by filming stories to be shown to students each week on interactive whiteboards. After viewing each story, students will work in teams to conduct science labs, decipher codes and solve mathematical equations in order to solve clues that open a treasure box. By creating this hands-on treasure hunt, the team hopes to facilitate the development of critical thinking skills and student reasoning.