During spring of 2022 Marion High School staff Roxanne Paulsen and Pete Messerli submitted a funded Marion School Foundation grant to purchase a new commercial-level heat press and engraver for AMPED, a new math option for students that are interested in business, logistics, engineering, construction, and/or just don’t see the relevance of math as it is currently taught.
Per the application, “This equipment will be used to manufacture products that will be marketed and sold. Some examples of products could include: clothing and textiles for the district, clubs, sports, and anyone that would like to commission our business. The engraver can be used on essentially all organic material and treated metals.”
We are excited to share that the equipment has been purchased and is being used at Marion High School! According to staff, “We are currently in the first year of this Algebra/Business class. Starting in November, students began using the heat press to produce shirts and selling them for a profit to those within the MISD. Things are going well and we are using the equipment according to its intended use. This grant has been very beneficial as it has given the students a hands-on learning approach, connecting math and business all at once. Students are operating a t-shirt manufacturing business, while keeping track of revenue, expenses, and profit for the class business.”
“By being able to effectively operate a business, students are able to connect the math aspect of business (what they learn from their algebra lessons) and relate it directly to business. They are getting great experience at producing product (shirts), marketing their products to different groups, taking pride in doing great/accurate work, understanding the financial aspects of business such as costs of doing business, setting prices, calculating break-even points, earning a profit, creating invoices, being professional, and being a good coworker while being held accountable on a daily basis. Have the heat press and eventually using the engraver have given our students a huge opportunity of getting real-world experiences to enhance their education.”
Student Testimony:
“I like that we get to do more than just worksheets. We get to make t-shirts and have to learn to work with others that we don’t usually work with.”
“This class helps with teamwork and people skills and the class helps us learn by doing hands-on work. We also learn to work on our problem-solving skills which will help me in the future.”
The Marion Foundation’s grant program provides teachers an opportunity to receive funding for projects that benefit students in the Marion Independent School District. Grants are made possible because of generous contributions the Foundation receives throughout the year from both businesses and individuals as well as a number of educational funds that are invested with the Foundation for long-term benefit.