previous funding recipients

New to Viking Elementary for the 2019-2020 school year was a makerspace room. By definition, a makerspace is a place where students can gather and tinker. This is an area dedicated to student choice and exploration based on project-based learning and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) curriculum. This space is being utilized by individual classrooms and grade levels as well as during monthly collaboration. Students are given the opportunity to use Legos, Marble Run, Sphero robots and Keva brain builders. Monthly STEM challenges have been performed as well, utilizing many common household supplies such as note cards, Qtips, straws, and tape to name a few. These resources allow students to freely build and problem solve. The supplies and equipment have been acquired largely through donations. An anonymous donation allowed Viking Elementary to purchase 12 Mini Spheros which students will use coding skills to control, Legos, and consumable supplies to use during STEM challenges. Most recently, the Pelican Rapids Foundation granted money to purchase BeeBots, a coding robot for primary aged students along with Frigits Marble Run, charging stations for the robots and engineering bases used for Rube Goldberg tasks. Parents have also graciously donated consumables to the room. We look forward to adding more features to the room and continue to utilize the many resources it already has available. 

Tonya Johnson
Makerspace Grant

We used our Foundation money to buy 20 books for my student book club. We were scheduled to go to “Teen Lit Con” in Mendota Heights where the students would’ve met the author of the book and have their book signed. It really makes a difference in these kids lives to actually meet the authors of books they have read!
But, because of the pandemic we were not able to read the book yet, and the event was canceled. The kids were excited to read the books and hopefully we will get back to school at sometime and they will!  
Thank you so much for being a part of getting good books in these kids’ hands! It is so appreciated!

nanette albright
student book club

The app-enabled robotic ball has been part of the classroom curriculum for 6 years. While using the Spheros, students are coding and problem solving to create their programs.

Spheros for
Math 8 Classes

Mr. Marsesh was awarded funding to purchase (10) 3D printers, multiple projects can be worked on by students at the same time.

3D printers

Creating a classroom environment where all students feel welcome, safe, and ready to learn is any teacher’s mission. It takes a lot of time and effort to create an engaged learning space for young students. Through the efforts of the Viking Gala raising money and the generosity of the Foundation we were able to purchase rugs, couches, cushions, surf desks, wobble stools and yoga balls for our first-grade students. Flexible seating is providing students with multiple choices in where they would like to sit to work and learn. Studies have shown that flexible seating provides movement, promotes student engagement, and allows students to better work and learn with their peers vs. traditional seating models. We are so grateful for the generosity of the foundation, the Gala, and our community members who continue to support the students and staff of Pelican Rapids. 

flexible seating
1st grade

A rug in the front of Ms. Abarr's classroom creates a gathering place for learning, community building, growing friendships, reading and also allows space for flexible seating.

area rug for
kindergarten