Lab on the Go was a scientific learning experience for students at John Sutter Middle School using an Enviro LabDisc used to collect environmental data during outdoor labs. The GenSci disc, which focuses on general science data collection, was used to take speed readings and also to measure the temperatures given off in exothermic and endothermic reactions. The disc was also used to take measurements of current and voltage during a project where students constructed their own circuits to power windmills.

The Young Authors’ Academy at Jackson Elementary was a pilot after school program to teach advance writing skills. Students from second to fifth grades were selected to attend this writing workshop in the computer lab two days a week for 18 weeks. Using mentor texts, students wrote in a wide variety of genres: poetry, science fiction, astronaut biographies, opinion papers, paperbag scrapbooks, and space research. Students blossomed into writers working independently and collaboratively on writing assignments and improving their skills in each genre.

Fifth grade students at Pacific Union Elementary tracked weather patterns using a Weather Station mounted on the roof and Skymaster Weather Meters. Over several weeks, students observed dramatic and sudden changes in weather patterns and then graphed the temperatures, rainfall, and wind speed using their Chromebooks. Students learned specific details about weather patterns including wind velocity, air pressure, temperature and precipitation.

The HELP project at Sunset Elementary stands for Helping Everyone Problem Solve, a project designed to assist students resolve conflict with their peers in a healthy and respectful manner. The grant was used to purchase conflict related books and resources that served the HELP program. Paw Leaders, consisting of student body leadership, practice active listening skills to help students solve conflict. Possible resolutions are brainstormed and documented, and a final plan of action is documented with both parties agreeing and signing the plan.

The Visual and Performing Arts program at Big Creek Elementary purchased new equipment to improve the sound quality of student performances. The stage is used throughout the year for drama performances, the Christmas program, and the talent show. The new headset microphones have made such an enhancement to the program resulting in an increase of students participating in the drama elective.

Campus Graffiti Art was a year-long project at Pine Ridge Elementary that focused on decorating the campus with student created graffiti art. The project provided high-quality, comprehensive arts education that will help students flourish when their creativity drives learning. A coalition of the district, school and teaching staff worked to improve motivation, concentration, confidence and teamwork within students while creating the murals.

Integrating Technology in Mathematics was a project that increased access to technology for use with the mathematics curriculum in Sierra Unified. Students began using graphing calculators and they learned how to use Excel to create spreadsheets. They also used online programs and presentation software and equipment. Students were able to identify options, select appropriate tools, and use them to solve problems and present solutions.

The goal of 21st Century Classroom at Monroe Elementary was to increase student access to technology by purchasing devices for students to complete and submit homework online. The school purchased a set of 12 nobis tablets and students have been using them to utilize the school's Google apps licenses. The class is able to use google docs to modify, create, and collaborate on their site using their own unique Gmail accounts. They create documents to share with groups and partners to work simultaneously on a live document centered around the lesson or project being taught.

At Orange Center Elementary, the Exploring Microscopic Life project introduced students to the exploration of plant and animal cell characteristics, including those in water and the surrounding environment, through the use of a microscope. Students were able to analyze and identify the various structures of the various cells including unicellular and multicellular organisms. By understanding the composition of cells, students gained a better understanding of how they function in plants and animals and in the environment, which in turn impacts human life both directly and indirectly.

The Parent Literacy Development program in Mendota Unified provided parents of students with basic literacy skills to increase parental participation at home with school work. Parents were able to identify and match letter symbols to sounds, blend “CVC” words, write a complete sentence and be able to understand story grammar. These skills will not only help them support their children throughout their school years, but through building their own literacy, will also help them function well in society.

Redcat Remix, in its inaugural year, is a group of Fowler High School students that DJ at school dances. The students collaborated to choose a playlist, designed and constructed a DJ booth, and designed a custom light show. The goal of Redcat Remix is to become a fully functioning professional quality production team. Students are scheduled to DJ the Sadie Hawkins dance, but with improvements to the equipment they could DJ other events including, winter formal, prom, and award ceremonies. The expansion of the events would also boost student involvement.

This Innovation Grant allowed Kepler School to expand the Guitar Building Woodshop. By doing so, more students had an opportunity to build a Cuban drum known as a cajon, or a cigar box electric or bass guitar. Working alongside a professional guitar building craftsmen, students learned how to compose and perform music on these instruments for monthly Kepler Art Hop events. Students learned familiarity with hand tools and wood working while building their own instrument entirely from scratch using raw materials.

Students in the ROP Criminal Justice Class participated in running all the Red Ribbon Week events at Firebaugh-Las Deltas Unified School District. Students from Firebaugh High School gave lectures on drug free awareness at all the elementary and intermediate schools. They played games, and gave away T-shirts and fingerprint kits. They we able to collaborate and communicate with their much younger peers, most of all, the younger students were inspired to make healthy life choices.

The Rafer Johnson Junior High School Leadership and Media classes created a healthier social climate on campus through Project PRIDE. The acronym PRIDE stands for Patience, Respect, Integrity, Determination and Excellence, which encompasses the expectations for all students on campus. To promote awareness, the Leadership and Media classes teamed up to create a student website and videos promoting Project PRIDE.

Stars & Stripes is an Adaptive Physical Education (PE) and PE Mentor program at Roosevelt High School. The Adaptive PE classes used students from the mainstream to be PE mentors. The adaptive students were called Stars and the PE mentors, usually juniors and seniors, were called Stripes. The program allowed functionally skilled students to interact with mainstream students and learn about Special Olympic and physical education activities. Grant funds were used to purchase bocci ball sets, portable volleyball net, and stop watches.

At Caruthers Elementary School, the Making it Real-Videography Access project introduced videography and video editing technology to middle school students in Creative Dramatics, Journalism, Yearbook, and Computer Literacy classes. This project provided opportunities not previously afforded to students in the school district. Many students come from families with low socioeconomic status (90.4% free/reduced lunch), are migrant students, or are English Learners. Special day class students with disabilities enrolled in non-core classes also benefited.

Dawson and Sunset Elementary schools hosted monthly events to bridge the gap between parents, educators, and pupils; hence the name, PEP Talks. Research shows that parent involvement has a positive effect on student achievement. In order to form meaningful partnerships between all stakeholders, PEP Talks were informal gatherings in which topics of interest were discussed with parents over refreshments, in a comfortable and safe setting. Parents and educators came together to learn about student needs and collaborate to address those needs effectively.

Clovis High School students studied moisture catcher technology as a supplemental water supply for the school's green house and garden. Through the Catching Water from the Sky project, students created, built, and implemented two or more moisture collectors to harvest water from the atmosphere. Students monitored, measured, and collected captured moisture into channel reservoirs on a daily basis. Additionally, they analyzed and drew conclusions regarding the viability of moisture collection from the sky.