MATTAPOISETT — Five teachers in the Old Rochester Regional School District were awarded “Education Mini-Grants” from Cape Cod 5.

The bank each year provides thousands of dollars in mini grants that fund education projects pitched by public school teachers in the Old Rochester Regional School District, according to a Thursday, Dec. 19 news release.

At Old Rochester Regional High School, teachers Liz Kennedy and Kathleen Brunelle awarded a $500 mini-grant.

Kennedy’s mini-grant will fund a touch-a-truck event in the spring.

Brunelle’s mini-grant will help stage a Shakespearean play in the spring.

At Center School and Old Hammondtown School, technology teacher Lisa Lourenco and art teacher Greta Anderson were also awarded mini-grants.

Lourenco plans to use the funds to purchase a CrowPi computer, according to the release.

“Using the CrowPi in the classroom will be an exciting experience for our students because it brings hands-on learning in an interactive way," Lourenco said. "With the use of the Raspberry Pi computer and a variety of sensors, motors, and displays, the CrowPi allows our students to explore coding, robotics, and electronics.”

Anderson plans to use the mini-grant to help students explore art from cultures around the world.

The funds will purchase Indian, Mexican and Japanese artwork books. Kindergartners will study art from India, while first graders will study Japanese landscape art and create Japanese fans decorated with Japanese-style landscape art. Second grade students will learn about artwork from Portugal, while third graders will study folk art from Mexico and create alebrijes, Mexican folk art sculptures, depicting imaginary creatures painted with intense colors and intricate patterns, the release said.

At Sippican Elementary School, librarian Jessica Barrett and enrichment teacher Chelsey Lawrence applied for a $320 mini-grant to fund LEGO WeDo kits.

The kits “include lesson plans and materials for students to complete 10 different units with engaging challenges in engineering, science, technology, and creative thinking,” the release said.

In all, 284 teachers from 82 schools throughout Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket and Southeastern Massachusetts will receive mini-grants this year, funding 208 projects, according to the release.
“Teachers across the Tri-Town area have come up with impactful projects for their students, and we look forward to seeing the outcome of their creativity,” said Bert Talerman, chairman of the Cape Cod 5 Charitable Endowment and president of Cape Cod 5.