2022 RECIPIENTS
In May of 2022, the Technology Education Foundation (TEF) awarded $139,286 in grants to deserving recipients throughout Southern Wisconsin. Each recipient demonstrated their ability to provide science and/or technology for the greater good of our community. Congratulations to:
BadgerBots Robotics Corporation: $7,500 for laptops and robotics kits to support a new InterCommunity Engagement program. BadgerBots will partner with community-based organizations (i.e., Lussier Community Education Center, Boys and Girls Clubs of Madison, Centro Hispano, and others) to develop and deliver STEAM educational programs and activities to a wider and more diverse audience.
Bayview Foundation Inc: $9,520 for a new drop-in Tech Hub. This weekly program will be hosted at the community center with regular hours that are easily accessible by residents with varied work schedules. Multilingual staff will be available to provide interpretation ensuring that all individuals get the help they need, regardless of language preference. The Tech Hub will provide tech support and training to Bayview residents in a language and cultural barrier-free environment. Tech support will be provided by DANEnet.
Belleville School District: $4,250 towards the purchase of an interactive display (SMART BoardMX086-V2) for the Math Department. This will replace older SMART Board technology. The SMART Board allows for increased resolution, improved software allowing access by 20 students simultaneously; improved audio and video recordings and ability for student presentations to be displayed without the use of a secondary computer.
Door of Hope Ministries Inc: $1,900 to purchase two Lenovo Thinkbooks for their technology lab. Door of Hope provides after school and summer programs for children on Madison’s northside. Last year a STEAM program was added allowing students the opportunity to learn more about the arts and technology. This summer a robotics component will be added to the programming.
Edgewood College: $8,000 to support the Community STEM Fellows program. The primary goal of the Community STEM Fellows program is to build capacity within communities of color for supporting STEM education. This grant will support the addition of two more STEM Fellows ROSE (Resources and Opportunities in Science Education) teams. Fellows are trained to lead teams that work with partner organizations to communicate STEM activities available in Madison; create community member groups to attend Family Science Night hosted by Edgewood College; and finally, to create, plan and implement a STEM event in their own neighborhood.
Horizon High School: $5,000 to purchase 8 Dell Chromebooks and headsets. Horizon High School has increased their student capacity with the opening of a larger facility in 2021. Horizon is a private non-profit high school serving students who are in recovery from addiction and substance abuse disorders. 93% qualify as low-income, and 88% have special education status requiring more individualized services. The student population ranges from 15-21 young adults. In 2021 Horizon High School graduated nine seniors, the largest graduation class in 17 years.
Madison College Foundation: $6,000 for six scholarships to be used by students interested in pursuing a career in a STEM field. Three scholarships will be offered in the Fall of 2022 and three in the Spring of 2023. Madison College is committed to increase access so that no student is denied an education due to financial barriers. Madison College maintains a proud history of providing affordable access to quality education, which fuels success of businesses, communities, and students.
Madison Literacy Network: $6,350 for the purchase of 10 laptops and 10 mobile hotspots to support the laptop loan library. Literacy Network supports adults through their language and literacy programs. Increasing digital literacy and computer skills is an important component and one that is identified as a major need among participants. The grant dollars will enhance Literacy Network’s learners’ access to ZOOM based programing and allow for at-home digital literacy practice and use of the internet for everyday activities.
Madison Metropolitan School District/Kennedy Elementary School: $2,626 for development of a STEAM program. Funds will be used to purchase OSMO games, Botley and Sphero Indi robots. Students will learn beginning coding skills, engage in advanced problem solving and math skill development. Kennedy Elementary serves approximately 500 students annually.
Maydm: $5,250 for 1 digital smartboard, 1 wireless access point, and a file server for their new office space. Maydm is a Madison-based non-profit focusing on connecting girls and youth of color in their pursuit of careers in STEM. Maydm’s goal is to bring all underrepresented groups into STEM careers through additional in-school or out-of-school programs and guidance.
Monroe School District: $10,000 for hardware to support the new LAUNCH program. Funds will be used to purchase video and audio recording equipment and software along with a MacBook. LAUNCH is a project-based learning experience partnering students with local businesses and organizations to solve real-world programs. In 2022-2023 school year two strands of LAUNCH, Business Analytics and Media solutions will be offered.
Monroe Street Arts Center: $2,422 to support their digital design curriculum. Design classes provide instruction and hands on skill development in digital illustration and design for ages 11 and up. Additional iPads available for use at MSAC will allow students from lower income households access to this program
Neighborhood House: $6,303 to support new Brightlink classroom spaces. Brightlink Interactive displays allow teachers and students to interact with presented material from their own devices. In addition, white boards allow for students to write directly onto slides and capture the input to be shared with others. Brightlink classrooms focus on building critical technology skills needed in today’s workforce. One City Schools is a tuition free public charter school adjacent to Madison’s southside. Students attending One City are some of Madison’s most marginalized students.
One City Schools $17,665 to support new Brightlink classroom spaces. Brightlink Interactive displays allow teachers and students to interact with presented material from their own devices. In addition, white boards allow for students to write directly onto slides and capture the input to be shared with others. Brightlink classrooms focus on building critical technology skills needed in today’s workforce. One City Schools is a tuition free public charter school adjacent to Madison’s southside. Students attending One City are some of Madison’s most marginalized students.
Simpson Street Free Press: $10,000 for expanding STEM learning opportunities for students in Dane County. Student reporters research topics, organize source material, write, and publish their articles. SSFP is a champion for technology education programming. SSFP will expand the popular “Science of Wisconsin’s Environment” project and the “Women in Science and Math” series. The SSFP 2022-2023 plan will hire more teen editors and enroll more student writers. SSFP will be celebrating 30 years of academic achievement in 2022-2023..
United Way of Dane County: $10,000 for a new lending library for UWDC Boardwalk Academy. Boardwalk Academy is a 9-week personal and professional development series created to support the community leadership desires of adults who have successfully navigated poverty-related lived experiences. BWA creates barrier free access to community involvement by connecting leaders of color and individuals with lived experience into board rooms to address local challenges with authenticity, respect, and compassion.
Wisconsin Initiative for Science Literacy: $10,000 to support Science is Fun Lab. WISL’s mission is to promote literacy in science, mathematics, and technology among the general public and to attract future generations in careers in research, teaching, and public service
Wisconsin Youth Company: $5,500 for support of their Middle School U Summer Programs. Funds will be used to purchase two 3D printers and tablets to run compatible 3D design software. Middle School U is a two-week intensive program designed for middle school students. Wisconsin Youth Company offers after-school and summer programs.
YWCA Madison: $12,000 for hardware to support YWeb Academy. Funds will be used to purchase 20 Lenovo IdeaPads and 3 HD touchscreen laptops for a new lending library for students. These students are enrolled in the Google IT Professional certificate course. Currently there are 28 students enrolled in this program. YWeb Academy is a technology job training course which targets women and people of color who are underrepresented in technology to increase their opportunities in attaining family‐sustaining employment.
Did you know that 100% of proceeds from the Berbee Derby go to the Madison-based Technology Education Fund (TEF)? The annual Thanksgiving Day event has become a family tradition for many. Fun event for all ages and levels.
The Berbee Derby celebrated their 20 year anniversary this Thanksgiving — which was its final year of the annual event.