Welcome to the WEF Blog

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Welcome to the Waukesha Education Foundation, Inc., blog.  This is the place that you will find the most recent information on our news and events.


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Popular posts from this blog

Launching an Idea

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When the love of hobbies and career collide, innovation and opportunity arise. Brian Cieslak, of Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium, enjoys teaching about astronomy and is a member of the Ham Radio Community where he is known worldwide by his call sign, K9WIS. Through his connections in the Ham Radio Community, Cieslak began making plans to launch balloons with GPS devices. Cieslak, whose job is also part of the School District of Waukesha, applied for a grant from the Waukesha Education Foundation, Inc. during the 2019-2020 school year.  The grant entitled “High Altitude Balloon-Circumnavigating the World” proposed to lift ‘Pico Balloons’ into the jet stream and catch a ride around the world. The two pancake-shaped, jellyfish-looking balloons are 36 inches in diameter and 15 inches thick. By applying physics, Cieslak determined how much helium gas the balloons would need to match the density of the atmosphere at the altitude he wanted the balloons to float. Hydrogen gas, which i...
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GRANT SPOTLIGHT: Social Emotional Learning at The Elementary Level

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Problem-solving. Empathy. Relationship skills. Emotional management. Social emotional learning (SEL) skills equip students of all ages with strategies and tools to help them regulate their emotions and responses. Numerous research studies have shown that SEL can have a positive impact on students’ academic performance. Additionally, it can help reduce misconduct in students. Many students across the United States are finding themselves feeling anxious, depressed, sad or stressed. As a result, an increased focus on SEL tools and concepts, particularly at the elementary level, can help SDW students feel more at ease, learn coping skills they’ll use into the future, and reduce conflicts in the classroom. In 2021, Prairie, Bethesda, Rose Glen and Summit View elementary schools received grants from the Waukesha Education Foundation to help enhance and increase SEL programs at their schools to positively impact and support students. “The use of social emotional books is helpful for teachers ...
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GRANT SPOTLIGHT: Real World Entrepreneurship Experience at Waukesha North High School

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Waukesha North’s Entrepreneurship class has historically focused on creating a business plan for a fictitious business to get students into the entrepreneurial mindset. But teacher Katie Cortez decided to get a bit more creative, and with the help of a Waukesha Education Foundation (WEF) grant, her students had a much more hands-on experience. The WEF grant provided seed money, or a “small business loan”, to students. They formed small groups as their “business” and researched products or services they could provide. Over the course of the semester, they managed their marketing, production, and all necessary elements of a business to ensure they made a profit and were able to repay the loan, with interest, by the end of the semester.  This project was a great success, and offered students a chance to learn by seeing their plan in action, and testing their theories and ideas with real-world experience. “This experience helped students collaborate to operate a small business, and pro...
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