Three Pacelli Schools instructors have received a $7,500 grant award from the Minnesota Independent School Forum’s STEM Program at the 2017 Minnesota Private and Independent Education Awards.

Jonathan McDonough (science), Alex Horgen (social studies), and Nathaniel Kenne (math), Pacelli high school teachers, applied for and received a MISF Innovation Grant for the 2017-18 school year.  

The grant will fund the purchase of a 3D printer, and supplies needed for teachers to create a collaborative unit on the designing, manufacturing, and economics of production. Areas that will be covered would include engineering and CAD, cost analysis, and marketing.

This project will allow students to explore career opportunities in the engineering field and its real-world applications. Their goal is that student-generated revenue from their projects will help fund future projects.

The awards program recognizes a number of outstanding K-8 and 9-12 teachers and leaders of the year, academic programs, staff, and volunteers contributing to the success of private and independent schools in Minnesota. The presentation was made on April 30 at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul.

The STEM grant funding assists schools in developing hands-on curriculum to prepare students to be workforce leaders in STEM careers.  Supporters of the MISF STEM Program are the 3M Foundation, Schott Foundation, and Excel Energy Foundation.