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Holdingford High School Library Mini Grant Report

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This is a guest blog post from Debbie Binsfeld, library assistant at Holdingford High School. Read more mini grant reports on our page.

First, I want to thank you for allowing us at Holdingford High School library the opportunity to receive this CMLE Mini Grant.  We are finding that most of our monies are spent on fiction materials for our reading students in our Junior/Senior High School leaving a void in our nonficton materials for updating.  Especially materials, involving more current topics and biographies, which we have a need to provide as well.

This Mini Grant allowed me to purchase biographies of Prince, Adam Thielen, Judy Garland and Johnny Cash.  We were also able to purchase some current nonfiction items regarding Electric Cars, Education, Health Care, Economics, Art Animation, Graphic Arts, Racial Profiling, Vaping and more.  

Many of these topic materials purchased were a result of student interest in research topics as well as just wanting up-to-date information.  The need for current information in this ever-changing time has been an important goal in the high school library. Although older historical information is important, it needs to be balanced with current research information as well.  Thanks to this mini-grant, I was able to address a few of those topics.

Our biographies are also a highly used section of our library.   It was great to add a few new biographies, especially Minnesota related ones to our resources.  

This CMLE Mini-Grant was a welcome resource to us here at Holdingford High School.   So thank you again for making this available to our school communities. 

Guest Blogger

MidMinEDU Student-Powered Conference Mini Grant Report

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This is a guest post from Audrey Thornborrow, Tech Integrationist at Mississippi Heights Elementary School. Read more mini grant reports on our page.

In February of 2020, when the world was still spinning normally, MidMN Edu put on their 3rd annual Student Powered Conference. Nearly 200 students from area districts (Albany, Sauk Rapids-Rice, Sartell, St. Cloud). The conference was open to 4th-12th-grade students and consisted of a keynote address and breakout sessions. 

The keynote speaker this year was Sauk Rapids-Rice’s very own senior Maddie Bittman. She spoke about opportunities for everyone to get involved in STEM activities. She shared her experiences and inspired others–especially other young girls–to get involved in STEM related learning in and outside school. 

The breakout sessions were created by students. They took their passions and created a presentation sharing their passion with their peers. We saw sessions on how to play the guitar, how to make jewelry and start your own business, how to do experiments with dry ice, and global warming. These kids were so excited to share their passions and all participants enjoyed seeing their enthusiasm as they presented. 

One thing that was new this year was the addition of selfie-stations. The purpose of the selfie station was to have the kids collaboratively help make a piece of art that could be shared with all the schools in attendance. We had the kids take pictures of themselves or their groups and are putting them together in a collage that creates the Student Powered Conference logo. 

As with each year MidMN EDU has helped put on this conference, the kids MADE the conference. This conference wouldn’t exist without the students, their hard work, or their willingness to share their passions. We are so thankful to be able to provide this day to students and are so grateful to CMLE for providing us with the funds to host this conference. 

Below is an account of the day as told by a middle school student: 

This year, I was able to present at the Student Powered Conference instead of just attending it. I taught others how we code and drive Spheros at school. We created a dance to music that the Spheros followed and changed colors with. I learned a lot about coding and working as a group while we got our presentation ready. When we showed others how to use the Spheros it made me feel proud.

I learned a lot at the conference too. The Breakout Room looked like fun but I was unable to go. I really liked learning about the Care Closet that Little Falls created in their school. I think it was great to see students helping others. I liked visiting all the stations in the gym and learning about all the things students were sharing. I was bummed because I couldn’t see it all. I can’t wait to go again next year!

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CMLE Mini Grant: Nonfiction Books for LPGE Elementary Media Center

This is a guest post written by Lisa Schurmann, Elementary Librarian at LPGE Elementary School. Read more reports from past mini grant recipients on our page.

Our elementary library has purchased the ‘How is it Made’ books from ABDO and ‘Awesome Dogs’ from Bellwether.

I’ve been amazed how these new easy reader non-fiction books have attracted our students. With our students being curious, enthusiastic and eager to learn new information, these books have been a hit. The pictures are colorful, the pages inviting, and all around amazing books for young readers. I even have fifth and sixth grade students checking out the ‘How it is Made’ books.  

Having non-fiction books that are in their reading level and that they are able to use for AR testing is a plus. I find many students gravitating to the non-fiction area of our library as they enter the doors. It is fun to watch the interest in these series increase as others learn about the new books. 

The great part is they don’t realize they are challenging themselves and improving their reading skills! It is a joy to see the reading levels improve as they pick out their books. 

 I had a mother stop in and tell me her son checked out the new books and it was the first time he did not ‘buck’ about reading before bed. 

Thank you for helping us update our library with books that interest the students.

Guest Blogger, School Media Specialist

CMLE Mini Grant Report: Student-Powered Conference

This is a guest post from Neil Andruschak, Digital Convergence Specialist at Little Falls Community Schools. Read more reports from past mini grant recipients on our page.

A group of Central Minnesota educators (MidMN EDU) put together the 3rd annual Student Powered Conference – A MidMN EDU Event on the morning of February 7th at the Sartell Community Center.

Maddie, a Sauk Rapids-Rice High School senior, gave the opening keynote presentation. She talked about her experiences with engineering and how those experiences were powerful and have shaped the way she approaches many things. The bananas made a surprisingly good piano keyboard! Maddie did a fantastic job.

Following the keynote, there were 3 breakout sessions (with 2 rooms and poster sessions in the gym) for students to choose from. All main and poster sessions were led by student presenters. Based on feedback from the first two years, we put a bigger emphasis on poster sessions (think Science Fair but any subject/content/sharing was welcome).

We had student teams sharing about their robotics endeavors, individual students playing musical instruments, a group of students shared their experiences in school sports, and much more. The rooms and gym were busy with students sharing, leading and answering questions all morning long. It is amazing to watch students in grades 4-12 leading and learning from each other.

The first 3 years of the Student Powered Conference were a great success. Feedback has been 100% positive with over 95% of students stating that they would come back the following year. 

The requested grant funds covered Little Falls Community Schools transportation. We brought 50 people to the conference! Thank you for supporting unique, personalized learning opportunities for Central Minnesota students!


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CMLE Mini Grant: Cricut Machine for Foley High School Makerspace

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This is a guest post written by Erin Stock, Media Secretary at Foley High School Media Center. Read about past mini grants on our page.

 Thank you Central Minnesota Libraries Exchange for the opportunity and award of your $300 Mini Grant. The purchase of a Cricut Maker was made possible by you and the Foley High School Media Center now has its first makerspace!

Our High School Principal made an announcement last week to our staff that we now have a Cricut Maker in the Media Center and WOW! The excitement from the staff has been incredible. They are anxious to get started making new displays for bulletin boards, displaying inspiring messages within their classrooms and having more professional looking signage around our building. All of which can be done with our new Cricut Maker.

 I personally had not used a Cricut Maker prior to receiving the grant but knew what the machine’s capabilities were. Learning the basic operations of the Cricut Maker has been my main goal thus far.

Secondly, my goal is to produce a few demonstrative pieces which would include a 3 dimensional greeting card, wall art made from vinyl (that will adhere to a cement wall) and perhaps a decorative piece such as the globe picture submitted with my original application.

Ultimately leading to the main goal of sharing what I have learned to make an educator’s life a little easier, classrooms look a little sweeter and provide students with a collaborative space that fosters creativity & instills confidence and pride in what they can dream and achieve! Thank you CMLE for this wonderful opportunity!