Hovercraft Project and Other 2012-2013 Initiatives

Last week, the D46 Foundation’s Board of Directors agreed to support costs related to the expansion of the fifth grade Hovercraft Project at Frederick School. In years past, a fraction of fifth grade students have participated in this exciting, innovative project. This year, the staff at Frederick set a goal to expand the project, offering it to all fifth grade students. The Foundation agreed to provide supplemental financial support to offset costs incurred by the district and the taxpayers. We’ve also set some additional goals and are planning some great events to raise funds. 

More About the Hovercraft Project

The D46 Hovercraft Project is an innovative project that is facilitated by Frederick teachers and Matthew Chase of Chase Business Services. The project involves students constructing 4' diameter hovercrafts in which they can apply math, science, and team building concepts.  These hovercrafts are powered by electric leaf blowers which inflate a skirt, allowing the craft to hover.  

The Hovercraft Project places students in a real world scenario in which they are part of a company developing and marketing a product.  They must test different skirt materials, determine how to best work as a team, decide how to market the hovercraft, and make the hovercraft attractive and marketable.  Each group of 6-8 students is led by a student team leader and all team leaders report to a teacher titled the "Project Manager."  At the end of two days, students will have tested, developed, and readied their version of the hovercraft for market.  Students must apply preexisting knowledge in math, science, art, and writing to contribute to the success of this project.

Other 2012-2013 Initiatives

In addition to continuing to support the Hovercraft Project and Destination ImagiNation, the Foundation also plans to allocate funds toward an Academic Enrichment Scholarship Fund, making programs such as Science Olympiad and Scholastic Bowl more accessible to families. We are also eager to offer classroom mini-grants to fund the unique ideas that teachers would like to bring to their classrooms. All of this can be made possible with successful fundraising initiatives! 

How You Can Help

There are many ways you can help us reach our goals! Perhaps you'd like to become an active member or a valued donor. We are making plans for fun events such as a fall softball tournament, a winter wine tasting, and a family-friendly bowling event. If you’d like to volunteer any amount of time to support one of these events, please contact us at d46foundation@gmail.com. 

There are other vital roles to be filled as well. The Foundation is looking for a Communications Director to attend board meetings and periodically draft blog posts, write the occasional press release, and support the team in the development of our quarterly newsletters. If you are a skilled writer and interested in this position, please contact us!

If you'd like to make a donation, you can do this directly on our website or by sending a check payable to the CCSD 46 Education Foundation to PO Box 7261, Grayslake, IL 60030. Feel free to designate your funds to a project near and dear to your heart! If you work for a business that offers an employer match donor program, this is the most powerful way to contribute. Many businesses will match your donation to the Foundation dollar for dollar. Grainger will actually match their employee's donations at 300% - Just think of the differnce you can make with a matched donation!  

Even if you’re just interested in keeping up with our activity, we encourage you to send us a message asking to be added to our email distribution list. You can also follow us on facebook.