East Lyme Education Foundation

Grant Update: Hovercam Orbit!

The Hovercam Orbit wireless document camera has quickly become a valuable tool in Mr. Allen’s 6th-grade math classroom, transforming the way students share and discuss their work. Since its installation, the camera has been used regularly throughout lessons—particularly during the geometry unit—allowing student work from anywhere in the classroom to be instantly displayed on the ClearTouch board. This mobility makes it easy for the teacher to highlight a wide range of student strategies and solutions in real time.

Students have responded enthusiastically to the new technology. The ability to share their work without leaving their seats has increased participation and excitement, and many students eagerly volunteer to showcase their thinking. Seeing multiple approaches to the same problem encourages students to learn from one another and deepens their understanding of mathematical concepts. The document camera helps create a classroom atmosphere that feels more collaborative—almost like a small group discussion—where every student has the opportunity to contribute and be heard. 

Overall, the Hovercam Orbit supports greater student engagement, strengthens problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, and builds confidence as students explain their reasoning. It also allows the teacher to quickly assess student understanding and address misconceptions in the moment. By making it easier to share ideas and celebrate student thinking, the wireless document camera has enhanced both teaching and learning in the classroom. 

Engaging Students. Empowering Teachers. 

One grant at a time.

Celebrate Pi Day and Support East Lyme Schools! 🍕

On Saturday, March 14, the East Lyme Education Foundation is partnering with local pizza restaurants for a community Pi Day fundraiser. From 5:00–8:00 PM, 10% of sales at participating locations will be donated to support East Lyme students and teachers.

✅ Dine in or take out — both count

✅ Any food you order counts (not just pizza!)

🍕 Participating Restaurants:

• Castello of Niantic

• Coastal Crust

• Boardwalk Pizzeria

• Five Churches By the Bay

• Plum Tomato

• Vincitori Apizza

Pi Day (3.14) is a fun celebration of learning — and this event is an easy way to enjoy a great meal while giving back to our schools. A big thank you to these local businesses for supporting our community.

Grant Update - 9 Square in the Air.

The 9 Square in the Air project is actively enhancing the Physical Education program by providing students with an engaging, high-energy activity that combines elements of volleyball and traditional four-square. Since receiving the equipment, all students are participating in the game during their PE classes, with full implementation underway.

The activity is currently used in multiple ways throughout the school year. It serves as a reward during special events such as Fun Day, supports indoor programming on rainy days, and is integrated into the 5th and 6th grade curriculum as a lead-up activity to volleyball. There are also plans to incorporate it into Field Day activities, and interest from classroom teachers demonstrates its flexibility and school-wide appeal.

Students respond with excitement and enthusiasm when they enter the gym and see the 9 Square in the Air setup. The game creates a dynamic and interactive environment where students rotate through a 3x3 elevated grid, working to advance to the center square and maintain their position. Through play, students actively develop hand-eye coordination, agility, spatial awareness, and overall physical fitness.

Beyond physical skills, the project promotes teamwork, communication, leadership, and strategic thinking. Students take turns setting up equipment, explaining rules, organizing teams, and resolving conflicts that arise during play. The structure of the game encourages inclusivity, sportsmanship, cooperation, and fair play, making it accessible to students of varying abilities and skill levels.

As part of the core curriculum, the project impacts approximately 364 students, with expanded use during special events potentially reaching up to 724 students. Overall, 9 Square in the Air is serving as a valuable and versatile addition to the PE program, supporting both physical development and social-emotional growth.

Engaging Students. Empowering Teachers. 

One grant at a time.

Grant Update - Tech Squad: Coding with Dash Robots.

Approximately 35 third and fourth‑grade students from all three schools are meeting weekly to explore coding and robotics through hands‑on, creative challenges using Dash Robots and Blockly programming. Students were thrilled to receive the new robots and accessories, and even more excited to dive into Blockly Pro, which offers deeper challenges and opportunities to grow their coding skills.

They’re already assembling launchers, grippers, and drawing tools—then coding their robots to pick up objects, launch balls, and even draw or write. Along the way, students are practicing problem‑solving, debugging, and critical thinking, all while building confidence as each challenge becomes a little more complex.

Just as important, these students are becoming technology leaders in their schools—Tech Squad students are asked to return to their classrooms and share what they learn.  This program is helping students see themselves as creators and thinkers.

We’re grateful to everyone who helps make programs like this possible and opens the door for more students to discover a love of learning through STEM.

Over the next few weeks, we'll share updates from the projects we funded this year so you can see the impact firsthand. We hope you enjoy learning about these projects and the difference they’re making—sparking curiosity, building confidence, and opening doors to new opportunities for our students.

Engaging Students. Empowering Teachers. 

One grant at a time.