Innovation Grants: Stories of Impact
BWEF invites Baldwin-Whitehall School District personnel who have received innovation grants to describe the impact of those curriculum investments and the positive outcomes experienced by their students. Enjoy these guest blogs written by faculty, staff, and administration who enhanced the teaching and learning experience in their classroom through an innovation grant.
Et voilà ! Apprendre le français grâce à une subvention du BWEF!
Voila! Learning French Through a BWEF Grant!
Kathryn Streets, Teacher, Baldwin High School
May 17, 2026
The BWEF seed grant provided French students enrolled in College in High School courses with the opportunity to use TalkAbroad, an interactive communication platform, to participate in three 15-minute live conversations with native French speakers. This experience gave students meaningful, real-world practice using the language outside of the classroom and allowed them to hear authentic pronunciation, accents, and conversational speech patterns. The conversations helped increase student engagement and made language learning feel more relevant and interactive.
While many students were initially nervous about speaking with native speakers in real time, they quickly realized they were capable of communicating successfully in French. Each conversation helped build their confidence, strengthen their listening and speaking skills, and encourage them to take risks with the language. By the end of the experience, students were more comfortable speaking spontaneously and more motivated to continue developing their communication skills in French.
In class after the activity, students compared their experiences by sharing the topics they discussed, their impressions of the native speaker with whom they conversed, and the communication gaps they felt they were unable to overcome. The overall feedback was overwhelmingly positive: students were surprised by how well they were able to understand native speakers and how effectively they could communicate their ideas spontaneously in French. Although many students were initially nervous, they were equally surprised by how quickly the 15-minute conversation passed.
Voila! Learning French Through a BWEF Grant!
Kathryn Streets, Teacher, Baldwin High School
May 17, 2026
The BWEF seed grant provided French students enrolled in College in High School courses with the opportunity to use TalkAbroad, an interactive communication platform, to participate in three 15-minute live conversations with native French speakers. This experience gave students meaningful, real-world practice using the language outside of the classroom and allowed them to hear authentic pronunciation, accents, and conversational speech patterns. The conversations helped increase student engagement and made language learning feel more relevant and interactive.
While many students were initially nervous about speaking with native speakers in real time, they quickly realized they were capable of communicating successfully in French. Each conversation helped build their confidence, strengthen their listening and speaking skills, and encourage them to take risks with the language. By the end of the experience, students were more comfortable speaking spontaneously and more motivated to continue developing their communication skills in French.
In class after the activity, students compared their experiences by sharing the topics they discussed, their impressions of the native speaker with whom they conversed, and the communication gaps they felt they were unable to overcome. The overall feedback was overwhelmingly positive: students were surprised by how well they were able to understand native speakers and how effectively they could communicate their ideas spontaneously in French. Although many students were initially nervous, they were equally surprised by how quickly the 15-minute conversation passed.
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Lutz Elementary Creates New Podcast Made for — and by — Students, Oct. 22, 2025
R.A. Lutz Elementary School is excited to announce the launch of Scottie’s Paw-Cast, a new student-driven podcast that gives teachers and students the opportunity to learn, work, and create exciting and engaging digital media together. Scottie’s Paw-Cast is a product of the LES Podcast Committee, which consists of teachers Lauren Hustwit (English Language Development Specialist), Chelsea Mariskanish (Gifted Support Teacher), and Emily Russell (English Language Development Specialist). The project is literally being built at LES from the ground up, including a brand new podcast studio. |
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“Our first episode will be modeled after the popular podcast The Moth, which is performed in a storyslam style. In each episode, students will interview adults and other students around our school, asking the same question. We hope this will be a way for us to get to know each other while also learning the step-by-step process of how to put a podcast together,” said Hustwit.
LES students voted to choose a theme for the first Paw-Cast. The winning idea was ‘When I Thought I Couldn’t Do Something… But I Did!’ which will give students an inspiring starting point for their very first episode.
“While our podcasting studio is under construction, students are already exploring a variety of podcasts to understand how voice, tone, and audience shape content. This early exposure is helping them think critically and prepares them for the full podcasting experience, which includes planning, scripting, recording, editing, and publishing episodes,” said Mariskanish.
Scottie’s Paw-Cast is made possible through a SEED grant from BWEF called “Voices Without Borders.” This grant supports innovative programs that amplify student voices while providing meaningful learning experiences. The idea for Voices Without Borders is rooted in the District’s Journey of a Highlander core competencies, emphasizing both learning and leadership. This initiative was designed to highlight and bridge the unique strengths of our English Language Learners and students identified as gifted, empowering every student to recognize their voice as a tool for connection, creativity, and community impact.
“We’re thrilled to launch this new podcasting program, which will initially include our English Language Learners and gifted students, with plans to eventually open participation to all students in grades 3–5. We hope to publish our first finished episode by December, showcasing the students’ hard work and learning in an engaging and tangible way,” said Russell.
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Game Changer: Board Edition
Holly Niemi, Teacher, Baldwin High School March 21, 2025 Since introducing "Game Changer: Board Edition," our English learners [ELs] have embraced the new games with enthusiasm and the results have been even more meaningful than we anticipated. |
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The board games have provided a welcoming and interactive way for our ELs to practice English in a low-pressure setting. We have seen a noticeable increase in communication, as they are naturally encouraged to ask questions, give instructions, and negotiate strategies while playing. This has not only improved their language skills but also boosted their confidence in speaking English with both peers and teachers.
Beyond language development, the games have fostered a strong sense of community in our English as a Second Language classrooms. Many of our ELs--who were initially hesitant to interact with others--have formed new friendships through these shared experiences. The games provide a structured yet enjoyable way for those from different backgrounds to bond, collaborate, and support one another, helping to ease feelings of isolation that many newcomer ELs face.
Overall, this project has had a positive effect on our ELs’ academic and social development. We are so grateful for the support that made this possible and look forward to continuing to use games as a tool for language learning, relationship-building, and cultural exchange.
Thank you again for helping us create such a meaningful experience for our ELs!
Beyond language development, the games have fostered a strong sense of community in our English as a Second Language classrooms. Many of our ELs--who were initially hesitant to interact with others--have formed new friendships through these shared experiences. The games provide a structured yet enjoyable way for those from different backgrounds to bond, collaborate, and support one another, helping to ease feelings of isolation that many newcomer ELs face.
Overall, this project has had a positive effect on our ELs’ academic and social development. We are so grateful for the support that made this possible and look forward to continuing to use games as a tool for language learning, relationship-building, and cultural exchange.
Thank you again for helping us create such a meaningful experience for our ELs!
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HEC Farm to Table!
Allison Shreve, Teacher, J. E. Harrison Education Center May 24, 2023 Our sixth grade co-taught English Language Arts classrooms at J.E. Harrison Education Center worked on a year-long garden project that produced a delicious array of homegrown vegetables in the learning garden outside of our school. The project was made possible through an innovation seed grant from the Baldwin-Whitehall Educational Foundation, which allowed for the purchase of multiple seed variations, plant food, and gardening supplies and equipment. ELA teachers Allison Shreve, Amber Snyder, and Emily Palma created this special |
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assignment to align with gardening concepts they were learning in class, such as poetry, creative writing, and small group assignments.
Sixth grade students at J.E. Harrison Education Center use the learning garden to cultivate farm-to-table vegetables.
The goal was for students to work both individually and in teams on a project that fostered critical thinking skills, deeper engagement, and creativity that aligned with Pennsylvania ELA standards.
For this project, students partnered with Grow Pittsburgh, a nonprofit organization that supports school gardens in the Pittsburgh region. Throughout the year, students participated in multiple "planting days." Instructors from Grow Pittsburgh taught students how to plant vegetables like lettuce, spinach, carrots, peas, beets, and radishes. Learners spent time observing and getting to know each stage of the plant growth cycle, and were taught about the unique ways to care for each individual type of vegetable. They learned the importance of watering and tending to the garden with care and maintenance. They even got to partner with Gabrielle Giovenco, art teacher at Baldwin High School, to paint decorative rocks for placement throughout the garden.
Once the vegetables were fully grown, students harvested them and got to enjoy their creations! Classmates worked together in small groups to clean, chop, and make salads and homemade ranch recipes. Sharing each other's culinary treats was definitely everyone's favorite part!
Sixth grade students at J.E. Harrison Education Center use the learning garden to cultivate farm-to-table vegetables.
The goal was for students to work both individually and in teams on a project that fostered critical thinking skills, deeper engagement, and creativity that aligned with Pennsylvania ELA standards.
For this project, students partnered with Grow Pittsburgh, a nonprofit organization that supports school gardens in the Pittsburgh region. Throughout the year, students participated in multiple "planting days." Instructors from Grow Pittsburgh taught students how to plant vegetables like lettuce, spinach, carrots, peas, beets, and radishes. Learners spent time observing and getting to know each stage of the plant growth cycle, and were taught about the unique ways to care for each individual type of vegetable. They learned the importance of watering and tending to the garden with care and maintenance. They even got to partner with Gabrielle Giovenco, art teacher at Baldwin High School, to paint decorative rocks for placement throughout the garden.
Once the vegetables were fully grown, students harvested them and got to enjoy their creations! Classmates worked together in small groups to clean, chop, and make salads and homemade ranch recipes. Sharing each other's culinary treats was definitely everyone's favorite part!
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What's so special about sneakers?
Allison Shreve, Teacher, J.E. Harrison Education Center April 11, 2023 In the novel Holes, Stanley ends up at Camp Green Lake all because of a pair of sneakers. Have you ever wondered what was so special about those sneakers? The students in the sixth grade, co-taught English Language Arts class at J.E. Harrison Education Center got a chance to wonder... |
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and design... and create their own amazing pair of “kicks” to justify all of Stanley’s stress!
The project was made possible through a grant from the Baldwin-Whitehall Educational Foundation, one of four seed innovation grants awarded during the 2022-23 school year. English Language Arts teachers Allison Shreve, Amber Snyder, and Denise Wells created this special assignment for students with disabilities and learning challenges so that they could explore, construct, and solve issues that coincided with novels they were reading in class. The goal was for students to work both individually and in groups on a project that fostered critical thinking skills, deeper engagement, and creativity that aligned with Pennsylvania ELA standards.
And the students did not disappoint! While working in small groups, they researched the structure, support, flexibility, and traction of various shoes. They then researched current fashion trends for footwear and decided on a color scheme and purpose for their shoe.
While students were brainstorming shoe ideas, they identified their target customer. They then took what they learned during their research and designed their very own custom shoe.
Once their shoes were designed, students designed a logo, slogan, and name for their shoes. They also presented their shoe project to the class. The students did an amazing job creating sneakers, boots, soccer cleats, ice skates, and even a high heel!
Learners had the best time turning their footwear designs into stickers and keychains using equipment provided by the District's Mobile Fab Lab! Special thanks to our Technology Services team, especially Dr. Janeen Peretin, Karen Suchy, Gino and Joseph Bonidie for their incredible help during the entire process.
The project was made possible through a grant from the Baldwin-Whitehall Educational Foundation, one of four seed innovation grants awarded during the 2022-23 school year. English Language Arts teachers Allison Shreve, Amber Snyder, and Denise Wells created this special assignment for students with disabilities and learning challenges so that they could explore, construct, and solve issues that coincided with novels they were reading in class. The goal was for students to work both individually and in groups on a project that fostered critical thinking skills, deeper engagement, and creativity that aligned with Pennsylvania ELA standards.
And the students did not disappoint! While working in small groups, they researched the structure, support, flexibility, and traction of various shoes. They then researched current fashion trends for footwear and decided on a color scheme and purpose for their shoe.
While students were brainstorming shoe ideas, they identified their target customer. They then took what they learned during their research and designed their very own custom shoe.
Once their shoes were designed, students designed a logo, slogan, and name for their shoes. They also presented their shoe project to the class. The students did an amazing job creating sneakers, boots, soccer cleats, ice skates, and even a high heel!
Learners had the best time turning their footwear designs into stickers and keychains using equipment provided by the District's Mobile Fab Lab! Special thanks to our Technology Services team, especially Dr. Janeen Peretin, Karen Suchy, Gino and Joseph Bonidie for their incredible help during the entire process.
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How Do You Make Science Fun? Add Preschoolers!
March 15, 2023 How do you spin a penny inside a balloon? Can you make electricity with Play-Doh? What happens to water during a tornado? These were just a few of the questions posed to preschool students at Baldwin-Whitehall's preschool STEM Night, an idea brought to life by Virginia Pfatteicher and Michelle Malone, teachers at Baldwin High School. “We wanted to provide opportunities for our youngest students to learn about the wonderful world of STEM [science, technology, engineering, and math],” Malone said. “So by hosting two STEM nights, we were able to reach out to the community in a meaningful way and deliver this learning program to them.” |
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Preschool STEM Night brought together nearly 50 Baldwin-Whitehall preschool students and their families for an evening of learning through experimentation with gravity, velocity, light, heat, buoyancy, magnetism, and electricity. Through a series of custom-designed activities, all created by Baldwin High School students, learners got to see, hear, touch, and create. The program was funded by an innovation seed grant from the Baldwin-Whitehall Educational Foundation, one of four seed grants awarded during the 2022-23 school year.
Baldwin-Whitehall preschool students experience with science, technology, engineering and math during Preschool STEM Night hosted at Baldwin High School.
Pfatteicher said that the activities combined learning opportunities for the District’s youngest students with learning opportunities for high school student teachers as well.
“This project provided many layers of learning,” she said. “Our preschool students and their families had a wonderful evening of hands-on learning, and our high school students, who served as teachers during this event, planned and helped to deliver the entire program.”
Through six custom-designed learning stations, student teachers facilitated learning through child-friendly demonstrations and developmentally appropriate explanations. The stations were set up inside a Baldwin High School classroom and included:
- Water Science, which explored centripetal force by experimenting with a tornado tube.
- Microscope Table, where students could use microscopes to analyze insect parts, bird feathers, shrimp eggs, plant parts, etc.
- Electricity Table, where learners could experiment with static electricity and create working circuits with Play-Doh.
- Light Table, where learners examined plasma globes and practiced patterning and counting when using the light table and pegs.
- Newton's Law Table, which illustrated centripetal force by spinning a penny inside a balloon while showing the traits of gravity and inertia with Newton's beads.
- Balance Tables, where students used scales and balancing birds to explore the concept of balance and equilibrium.
Malone and Pfatteicher said the impact of nights like these on the Baldwin-Whitehall learning community cannot be overstated. “When we introduce our preschool students to STEM learning, we spark their intellectual curiosity and inspire a love of learning that stays with them as they grow,” Malone said. “In addition, this served as community outreach so that parents, families, and the larger BW community could learn more about our commitment to excellence in the early childhood education field.”
Malone commended the high school student teachers for their efforts to plan, strategize, and deliver this event. She said they learned valuable skills through this experience like how to plan a large community event, how to budget for a school activity, and how to use external resources like the Whitehall Public Library.
Pfatteicher plans to extend the positive benefits of STEM Night even further by providing learning kits to science teachers at each of the District’s elementary schools. Each kit, created by the high school student teachers, includes experiments on electricity, Newton’s Antics, balancing, and water science.
"The confidence that students gain at this age, when given a high level of confidence by adults, can help students’ self-esteem grow as they take the next big steps in their lives," she said.
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Bits and Pieces is Up and Running!
January 30, 2023 The student entrepreneurs of Whitehall Elementary School [WES] were so excited for the grand opening of Bits and Pieces that they knew they weren't going to get much sleep the night before. "Maybe a little," said Vivian Bonomi, student manager, when asked if she thought she would be able to sleep before the first day of business. "I'm just so excited to see the kids' faces and reactions." Bits and Pieces, a new mobile supply store at WES, rests upon a rolling cart plenished with classroom necessities like writing utensils, pencil cases, bookmarks, erasers, and more. The store will |
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cruise through school every Wednesday and serve as a quick resource for faculty and students between classes. Each grade level has one
Students at Whitehall Elementary School build Bits and Pieces, the school's mobile supply store. Click image for a larger view.
designated shopping day per month and items range from $1 to $4. The project is one of four seed innovation grants funded by BWEF during the 2022-23 school year.
The store had a soft launch before winter recess and nearly ran out of inventory within 48 hours. By the time the store officially opened on January 11, enthusiasm was palpable and shoppers were ready to buy. Kristy Frohliger, the District's STEAM/Media specialist, is the faculty sponsor of this initiative and said she continues to be impressed with how the students are rising to this challenge.
"Students had the cart built and the store functional within two weeks," Frohliger said. "I am amazed at the thoughtfulness, the teamwork, and the collaboration. Their ability to talk through the process and make decisions on important details like price points, signage, and item presentations impresses me every day."
"They also learned a little bit about crowd control," Frohliger said, referring to the shopping rush on opening day.
Student managers described the first day as a bit chaotic, but only because students surrounded the cart very closely to get a good look at what was available. "Everyone was squeezing in tight to see what we had," said student manager Harley Stephenson. "We had repeat customers on the first day and many asked if they could come back tomorrow."
The mobile store will serve multiple functions and one is already well underway: to give students hands-on opportunities to learn business skills like inventory and cash management, cost analysis, marketing, customer service, and problem solving. "They're already thinking about changes they want to make to inventory based on customer feedback," Frohliger said.
Frohliger hopes that Bits and Pieces will be a model for the rest of the District, as the concept is something that can be replicated at every school and sales will support the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support [PBIS] program. As for the student managers, they're embracing the opportunity and excited about what lies ahead.
"I loved every part of this," said student manager Ella Bonacci after the grand opening. "This is definitely going to raise a lot of money for the school and for PBIS."
Students at Whitehall Elementary School build Bits and Pieces, the school's mobile supply store. Click image for a larger view.
designated shopping day per month and items range from $1 to $4. The project is one of four seed innovation grants funded by BWEF during the 2022-23 school year.
The store had a soft launch before winter recess and nearly ran out of inventory within 48 hours. By the time the store officially opened on January 11, enthusiasm was palpable and shoppers were ready to buy. Kristy Frohliger, the District's STEAM/Media specialist, is the faculty sponsor of this initiative and said she continues to be impressed with how the students are rising to this challenge.
"Students had the cart built and the store functional within two weeks," Frohliger said. "I am amazed at the thoughtfulness, the teamwork, and the collaboration. Their ability to talk through the process and make decisions on important details like price points, signage, and item presentations impresses me every day."
"They also learned a little bit about crowd control," Frohliger said, referring to the shopping rush on opening day.
Student managers described the first day as a bit chaotic, but only because students surrounded the cart very closely to get a good look at what was available. "Everyone was squeezing in tight to see what we had," said student manager Harley Stephenson. "We had repeat customers on the first day and many asked if they could come back tomorrow."
The mobile store will serve multiple functions and one is already well underway: to give students hands-on opportunities to learn business skills like inventory and cash management, cost analysis, marketing, customer service, and problem solving. "They're already thinking about changes they want to make to inventory based on customer feedback," Frohliger said.
Frohliger hopes that Bits and Pieces will be a model for the rest of the District, as the concept is something that can be replicated at every school and sales will support the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support [PBIS] program. As for the student managers, they're embracing the opportunity and excited about what lies ahead.
"I loved every part of this," said student manager Ella Bonacci after the grand opening. "This is definitely going to raise a lot of money for the school and for PBIS."
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Book Vending Machine Arrives at Whitehall Elementary School
April 20, 2022 "How do I get a book?" That was the question of the day as students gazed in excitement at the brand new book vending machine at Whitehall Elementary School. The machine was introduced during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 20 and welcomed by a group of students eager to put the machine to the test. "I was really excited and proud to be the first one to pick out a book," said Summer W., a second-grade student at Whitehall. Summer holds the distinction of being the first-ever student to earn a book from the vending machine. The District's technology services team decorated three sides of machine with a custom artwork wrap created by Nathan Redding of Baldwin High School, whose original design was voted the best submission of a District-wide student artwork contest that the foundation hosted in December 2021. The design features two students reading atop a stack of books with inspirational quotes from various authors on the spines of each book. Additionally, there is room on each side to display new student artwork throughout the year. |
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Fourth-grade student Addie A. was also among the first group of book recipients. "It was very cool to get a book from the vending machine," she said. Both Summer's and Addie's art designs are displayed on the wrap. "I felt so honored to have my artwork put on the machine," Addie said. Book vending machines incentivize students to make kind, positive choices in order to receive a gold coin that can be redeemed for a book. Kristy Frohliger, STEAM/Media specialist in the District and coordinator of the project, noted that the Baldwin-Whitehall School District is one of the first districts in the Pittsburgh area to install a book vending machine inside one of its schools. "This machine will most definitely have a positive impact on our students' behaviors and reading levels," she said.
Ms. Frohliger could feel the enthusiasm growing as soon as the machine became visible to students. "When the day came for the first students to get a book, the energy in the lobby was contagious," she said. "What a thrill for us to be able to tell the kids to enjoy their books. We will update the machine regularly with the most current books that students love to read, so it will always be a special activity for them."
"I am so happy that the dream of having a book vending machine in the school came to fruition," Ms. Frohliger said. Funding for the machine was made possible through individual donations at DonorsChoose.com, the Dollar General Literacy Fund, and a faculty innovations grant provided by the Baldwin-Whitehall Educational Foundation.
Kyla, a fifth-grade student who attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony, indicated that the machine was already serving its intended purpose. "I was excited to be one of the first to try out the new book vending machine," Kyla said, "and I picked a Babysitters Club book. I hope I can earn more rewards for another book before the end of the school year."
