Exploring the Cosmos: Engleman Elementary's Planetary Adventure Supported by GIPS Foundation Grant
By Abigayle Frazier-Hansen
During the 2023-24 school year, Engleman Elementary received a Classroom Grant from the GIPS Foundation, facilitating an extraordinary journey through the cosmos for its first-grade students. Through a collaboration between Catherine Klanecky, Jennifer Ehlers, Amy Samuelson, and Emily Craw, the grant brought to life an enchanting experience with a portable planetarium from the Explorit Center, integrating lessons from both Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) and Science curricula.
Emily Craw, a first-grade teacher at Engleman Elementary, shared her excitement about the grant's impact on student learning. "Today we got to use our grant money from the Foundation to let all of our first-grade classes work with the planetarium that we brought in from the Explorit over in Aurora," she explained. "We just got done learning about space and planets in our Knowledge Lesson and we are about to start our Science unit with the same thing. So we just thought it was a great experience."
The grant project, which impacted all first-grade classrooms at Engleman (about 80 students!), aimed to deepen students' understanding of the solar system by providing a hands-on experience that complemented their studies in the classroom. Students filed into the inflatable dome, sat around the edges, and watched, listened, and interacted with the mesmerizing presentation facilitated by the Explorit Center.
Following the immersive experience, students returned to their classrooms buzzing with excitement. Emily described their reactions, saying, "They were very excited. I had them sit down and work in teams and kind of talk about their favorite parts and they just- a lot of them, I don't think have ever seen something like that. So just being able to experience that was awesome for them to see kind of the movement of things, the way that the sky worked and all those kind of things."
Reflecting on her own experience, Emily shared, "My favorite part-I've always gone to see it in like the Hastings Museum and those kind of things. But just being able to make it more accessible for our kids was a lot nicer to see."
The portable planetarium allowed students to experience the wonders of the night sky in a tangible and engaging manner. With a diameter of five meters (16.4ft), the inflatable dome provided ample space to accommodate an entire class, ensuring that all students had the opportunity to participate in this unique learning experience.
As GIPS teachers continue to explore innovative approaches to education, the GIPS Foundation remains committed to supporting initiatives that enhance student learning. The grant awarded to the team at Engleman demonstrates the Foundation's dedication to empowering educators and providing students with transformative educational experiences. This grant serves as a reminder of the importance of investing in educational opportunities that inspire curiosity, ignite passion, and broaden horizons. With continued support from the GIPS Foundation, GIPS staff and students are poised to soar to new heights of academic achievement and discovery.
Classroom grant applications for the 2024-2025 school year open August 1 and close September 27. If this story has sparked an idea for YOUR school or classroom, please apply here.
Click here for more information on the portable planetarium.
