The Auburn Chamber of Commerce School-Business Partnership Committee awarded $4,739.47 in minigrants to 11 teachers and administrators this November. The Auburn Chamber of Commerce Minigrant Program provides grants of up to $500 each on a competitive basis for special and worthy projects that benefit students. This program is designed to support the development of innovative teaching ideas and increase student motivation and enthusiasm by providing funds for instructional experimentation and enrichment activities. The project may be an individual or team effort. For more information about the Auburn Chamber of Commerce Minigrant program, visit our page.
2024 Recipients
Ashlyn Derosier, Physical Education Teacher at Bryn Mawr and Pakachoag School, received $499.55 for “Hooping for the Future!” This grant will provide our kindergarten, first and second graders an outdoor adjustable basketball hoop, basketballs, sand to secure the hoop, and spare nets. 
Cheryl Kelly, an Integrated Preschool Teacher at Auburn High School, received $359.92 for “Coding With Colby”. The Code & Go Robot Mouse Activity Set is a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) based learning resource. This activity set fosters and encourages critical thinking, sequencing and programming skills. 
Melissa Dupuis, a Physical Education Teacher at Auburn Middle School, received $399.96 for “Pickleball Unit”. Pickleball is an inclusive sport that focuses on strategy and team building and can be enjoyed by people of all ages, making it perfect for middle school students. 
Kerry LeBreton, Technology and Media Specialist at Pakachoag School, received $422.52 for “Let’s ‘Bee’ A Technology Hero”. The students in grades K-2 will be taught the rules of using Technology in the classroom. The Bee Bots will be used with games that help them to review these rules in a fun way. 
Christine Robbins, a STEM teacher at Auburn Middle School, received $398.00 for “Robert Goddard Meets the Rockets”. Students will build and launch rockets constructed from kit materials (straws, modeling clay, and index cards). Using the Pitsco Straw Rocket Launcher to launch the rockets, the launch forces and launch angle will be varied to affect the flight of the rocket. Students will use measurements in the customary and SI measurement systems as well as convert from one system to another, Students will be introduced to the concept of accuracy and precision. 
Karin Loach and the 8th grade team at Auburn Middle School, received $485.31 for “Grade 8 State Fair Project”. This is an interdisciplinary research project focusing on U.S. states and territories. For this project, students will work in collaborative groups and delve into targeted research pertaining to their assigned state while adhering to curriculum standards of core classes. 
Michelle Caplette Grade 3 teacher at Swanson Rd. Intermediate School, received $437.54 for “Brain Bins”. Brain Bins are bins that include highly engaging open-ended materials that students use to explore, create, and build during the first 15 minutes of the day. 
Jennifer McMenemy, Special Education Teacher at Bryn Mawr, received $400.25 for “Hear me read!”. This projects provides students with a fun and exciting way to practice their reading skills. All students feel proud and successful when they can open a book and read it. Hopefully, this will help foster a lifelong love of reading for students. 
Paul Daoust, a Plumbing Instructor at Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical School, received $497.00 for “Fantastic Faucet Finishes”. This project will allow all students in the Plumbing Shop to install, repair, identify commonly used faucets will the latest industry standards. Troubleshooting skills will be a must on repairing the faucet(s) in the plumbing world for a customer. 
Jessica DeStefano Roark, first grade teacher at Bryn Mawr, received $399.96 for “Using visual representation through Bead Rekenrek to solve math problems”. The Rekenrek is a math tool utilized in the classroom. This tool consists of two rows of ten beads. It’s purpose to enhance students visualization of math concepts. Students can use this tool to add, subtract, subitizing numbers, and more. 
Claudia Allain and Kimberly Levansavich, Preschool teachers at Auburn High School, received $439.46 for “Let’s Have A Ball”. This program will improve the gross motor skills of preschool children (ages 3-5) by providing a variety of new play equipment designed to foster physical development, coordination and social skills.
