Rivermont Elementary STEAM Lab Weather Station

Rivermont Elementary, a Title 1 school, is in the process of converting 2 unused classrooms into a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) lab where the kids and teachers can build, create, tinker, explore, and learn together—think science lab meets art studio. Construction of the lab is generously being provided by Strauss Construction with design by COGENT Studio and behind all of this is an illustrious principal named Nikki Bailey.

Our grant will fund the purchase of a Davis Vantage Pro2 Plus weather station. It combines science, technology, engineering and mathematics to deliver real time, real life daily lessons. This one station will track rain, wind, solar radiation, UV radiation, temperature and humidity data. The data will be available in every classroom allowing teachers to use the data in grade-appropriate lesson plans and tie the data into the school's gardening program, promote public speaking [enter weather newscaster] and ultimately make hardcore science approachable for young kids. $1,370 well spent.

Concert Music N.O.T.E.S December 2012

Recipient:  Music Therapy Gateway In Communications, Inc.

MTGIC is a non-profit 501c3 organization in the Chattanooga area with a mission of providing education and hands on assistance in the use of scientifically developed neurologic music techniques to help persons with special needs.

The UNFoundation funded an effort to present three performances of a solo piano recital, including a pre-concert lecture discussing neural effects of music on the brain. The result was a broader group of Chattanoogans are exposed to concerts and typical concert patrons gained an additional insight into music and a broader perspective of the role it can play in therapy.