Cascade Middle School Students to Determine Olson Creek's Viability for a Salmon Habitat

Business Wire, April 23, 2008

Project Possible Thanks to Qwest Foundation Teachers and Technology Donation

SEATTLE -- The Qwest Foundation today announced a grant of $10,000 to Cascade Middle School teacher Scott Weide. The funds will allow Weide to purchase new technology so that his students will be able to determine Olson Creek's viability for salmon habitat.

"In my vision, students are outside, scientifically observing their local community, recording observations digitally, formulating ideas and then sharing them through digital media," said Weide. "These experiences will generate a passion for investigation that lasts a lifetime and a thirst for understanding beyond the classroom door."

With the technology, students will study different aspects of the creek including temperature, stream flow, dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity and nitrates. Teams will develop a specific investigation, record data, share what they learned and then develop a real-world research proposal that answers the question: "Can Olson Creek support a salmon habitat?"

"Mr. Weide thought of a creative and forward-thinking project that incorporates technology to make it happen," said Kirk Nelson, Qwest president for Washington. "It's an honor to provide funding that will bring his vision to life."

The Qwest Foundation will present the $10,000 check to Cascade Middle School on April 23, 2008, during a school assembly at 1:20 p.m.

The Qwest Foundation thanks the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, OSPI, for their partnership. Through its Learning Technologies program, OSPI took the lead in promoting Teachers and Technology to Washington teachers and handled the administrative tasks that followed. OSPI is the primary agency charged with overseeing K-12 education in Washington state.

About the Qwest Foundation:

The Qwest Foundation's core principle is that investing in people and communities provides lasting value for the future. The Qwest Foundation awards grants to community-based programs that generate high-impact and measurable results, focusing on pre-K through grade 12 education.

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