October 2022

Progress Newsletter

We have funded some great projects so far this year, such as:

• Reusable structural engineering kits for 8th grade students to build and experience the force and load on model bridges and structures as part of their curriculum on Force & Motion 
• Materials for 4th grade students to build a model town completely powered by solar energy and learn about the benefits of solar power and how engineers integrate photovoltaic panels into the designs of buildings
• Materials for 5th grade students to design and launch rockets in order to learn about earth's atmosphere and Newton's third law of motion while being introduced to engineering principles
• STEM toys for TK students to learn about building techniques while developing their motor skills, hand-eye coordination, creativity, recognition, working with others, and problem-solving skills

We thank our donors at the Maxwell | Hanrahan Foundation for making such a valuable contribution to enhance public education in our communities. These small, but critically needed grants for teachers help to address inequalities in public education and build future generations of strong leaders. 

If you need 3D filament, all in one STEM kits to send home or materials to build model cars, send in an application! You could also use this grant to bring in a guest speaker or take a professional development class on design thinking.

For more information and eligibility requirements, please visit the Technology, Engineering and Design Resource Grants page on our website.

The Mathematics Resource Program at PVF has been serving low-income families in San Mateo and Alameda County for years, allowing them to purchase much-needed math resources for their classrooms.



Thanks to the Heising-Simons Foundation, we are able to get critical math materials and professional development for public school classrooms and infant, toddler, and preschool teachers who often struggle with limited resources. We are proud to share with you some of the impacts these grants have made:

“It is with the highest level of gratitude that I am writing to thank you for your incredibly generous grant of $500 to spend on math materials in my Kindergarten classroom for instruction in this 2021-22 school year. As everyone knows, this year was replete with various challenges due to the pandemic, its subsequent rules, and the effects the last couple of years have had on young children."