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Statement of Need
Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School is a private Jewish Day School located in Lakeview with
the mission of “to teach them diligently.” Research shows that STEAM connects students to
bigger picture learning, which, in turn, creates a new educational culture where students are
unafraid to fail or take risks. Family STEAM Night is self-directed wondering aimed at a
central motto of: “BE CURIOUS.” With the purpose of exploring STEAM-related topics outside
of the classroom in experiential ways, students will lead hands-on demonstrations before
their peers. Volcanic eruptions, archeological digs with chocolate chip cookies, and roller
coaster malfunctions -- to name a few -- focus on the juncture between STEAM disciplines
and encourage students to be agents of change whilst accepting feedback from their
audience(s) as an important collaboration skill. Family STEAM Night would allow parents and
special friends to gather in the school and watch their children move from makers to place-
based learners.

Impact
Students in grades nursery-eighth will be active participants in STEAM demonstrations. This
school-wide initiative will be student-led, student-run, and hands-on, and will encourage
others to think deeply about pressing challenges faced in a variety of fields. Students will
reflect on their learning at an all-school assembly the following day.

Design
Science, technology, engineering, art, and math framework per Illinois standards.

Management Plan
Event logistics will begin before the end of the school year (annually) and carry through to
late summer. Librarians will meet with classroom teachers to brainstorm topics and discuss
“good fit groups.” Classroom teachers will then meet with students to assess needs, divide
up the workload, and to answer any questions. Students will meet with their groups during
advisory. 15-20 stations will be dispersed throughout the gym and Innovation Hub, with
additional set-up in hallways and classrooms. Author talks, storytelling, Skype visits, and/or
theater/puppetry performances will take place in the Library Media Center.

Personnel
Meaningful collaboration within this school-wide initiative include: teachers, librarians,
administrators, coaches, student organizations, parent volunteers, custodial staff, security,
after-school assistants, and maintenance crews (as needed).

Promotion
The event will be frequently posted in our weekly, all-school newsletter, Ma’ Nishma.
Announcements will be made through our school blog, BZ Connect, where parents will be
given RSVP instructions. Student-generated flyers will be hung on each floor of our school,
and classroom teachers will encourage participation prior to the event by posing extension
questions, design thinking projects, and research topics based around various stations.
Lower school students will be able to redeem their stamped “STEAM passports” for
classroom rewards later.

Sustainability
Family STEAM Night will occur every September as a way of welcoming students back to
school.
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Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School Receives $1500 Grant For Family
STEAM Night

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CHICAGO, IL --- JUNE 1st, 2019. Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School is proud
to announce it is the recipient of the 2019 Helping Hands grant totaling $1500.00.
Helping Hands received a record-breaking 550 applications this year, and Bernard
Zell was one of eight schools chosen to support their noteworthy efforts in STEAM
education. Money will be allocated to fund a school-wide initiative for Family
STEAM night (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) as a way of
welcoming students to the new Innovation Hub on the second floor. The project will
be headed by Andie Townhouse, Library Associate, as well as Library Director Rena
Citrin, and will be supported by administrators, classroom teachers, and staff in the
fall of 2019. Parents will be invited, as well as grandparents, siblings, caretakers,
alumni, and synagogue members. Local companies and members of the community
are also invited to share their expertise with students.
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Local Collaborators Contribution

PTC Parent volunteers, coffee cart

Women and Children First Author suggestions/schedules/book

Bernie’s Books talk coordination
The Book Stall

The Museum of Science and Guest lecturers

Industry

Bulley & Andrew Engineers, Project Managers

Alumni Volunteers and mentors

Sage Dining Kosher Food

Budget
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Item Description Cost

Personnel Classroom teachers, N/A*

administrators,
support staff, parent
volunteers, after-
school assistants,
security, and
custodial/maintenance

Travel Author(s) $500.00

Total Personal Costs $500.00

Equipment iPads, Robots, Legos, N/A*

Breakout EDU boxes,
slime, makey-makeys,
drones, VR goggles,
cubelets, tables,
beakers, spotlights,
chairs

Supplies Glue, cardboard, graph $500.00

paper, shaving cream,
tooth picks, popsicle
sticks, food coloring,
flour, suction cups, ice
cube trays, baking
soda, seeds, magnets,
measuring tape, salt,
household products,
PH strips, paper
towels, snails,
mealworms.

Space Rental Gym, cafeteria, and N/A*

various classrooms

Marketing Email campaigns, Ma N/A*

Nishma newsletter,
marketing
team/photographers,
posters, fliers, and BZ
Connect blog

Other Author/storyteller/pup $500.00

peteer honorarium(s)
Skype visit
N/A*
Refreshments

TOTAL NON-PERSONNEL COSTS $1500.00

*denotes in-house