NEWS RELEASE: District Receivies $1.5 Million Grant to Enhance STEAM, Social Emotional Learning at Military Connected Schools

DISTRICT RECEIVES $1.5 MILLION GRANT TO ENHANCE STEAM, SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING AT MILITARY-CONNECTED SCHOOLS
Funds Earmarked for Tutoring, Hands-On Experiences at Seven Elementary Schools

SAN DIEGO (DECEMBER 13, 2024) - The U.S. Dept. of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) has awarded San Diego Unified a $1.5 million grant to enhance STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) instruction at seven elementary schools with a minimum of 10% military-connected students.

The schools where the grant will be dispersed include:

• Angier Elementary
• Cabrillo Elementary
• Chesterton Elementary
• Dewey Elementary
• Jones Elementary
• Mason Elementary
• Sessions Elementary

The goal of the Operation QUEST (Questioning, Understanding, Experiencing, Sharing and Thinking) grant is to collaborate with the San Diego Unified STEM Department in engaging students in grades TK-5 in interdisciplinary STEAM curriculum. The approach is to expand and enhance problem-based classroom instruction and student-centered instructional strategies that incorporate hands-on experiences and emphasize the development of social-emotional skills.

"San Diego Unified is deeply honored to receive this generous $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA). This investment in our military-connected schools reflects a shared commitment to nurturing every student's potential through innovation and holistic learning,"said Interim Superintendent Dr. Fabiola Bagula.

Through Operation QUEST, our youngest learners will engage in dynamic, hands-on STEAM experiences that not only spark creativity and critical thinking but also strengthen essential social-emotional skills. We believe that when students explore, question, and create together, they develop the tools to thrive in both school and life.

We are profoundly grateful for this partnership with DoDEA and look forward to collaborating with our educators, families, and military community to empower every child to reach their fullest potential."

DoDEA Operation QUEST will create community partnerships, and provide tutoring for students, as well as professional development opportunities for teachers.

"The San Diego Unified STEM Department is excited to support the Operation QUEST grant by collaborating with the selected school sites to expand STEAM instruction," said Senior STEM Director Julie Garcia. "Through implementing Next Generation Science Standards-aligned curriculum that includes engaging instructional strategies, we hope to promote hands-on learning experiences that help students find success and joy in the learning process."

Dr. Michele Einspar, Program Manager of San Diego Unified School District's Children and Youth in Transition department and Co-Leader of the DoDEA Pacific Rim Region, facilitated the collaboration among SDUSD schools and departments to make this grant opportunity possible for our military connected students.

San Diego Unified's STEM department and district leadership continuously seek innovative ways to build teacher capacity to elevate students' mastery in English Language Arts, mathematics and science. It is expected that the teachers at the seven identified elementary schools will benefit from grant-funded professional development, aligned with district goals, during the grant period.

Operation QUEST will infuse research-based strategies that weave in social-emotional learning in order to elevate student engagement in English Language Arts, mathematics and science in high-needs schools with a population that includes at least 10% military-connected students to promote mastery of the subject matter, leading to matriculation into honors and advanced placement courses in high school and postsecondary readiness.

DoDEA's Education Partnership and Resources Divisionstrives to ensure all military-connected K-12 students have access to quality educational opportunities through engagement in partnerships with school districts and professional organizations. The division provides school personnel and stakeholders with evidence-based resources and supports to increase understanding and awareness related to the unique challenges faced by military-connected students and families.

To learn more about the DoDEA grant, click here.

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