2024-25 Grants in Place Updates from the Field

Each year, Rural Schools Collaborative awards 20+ rural educators with a Place-Based Education grant to carry out a project by their design through the Grants in Place Program. The 2024-25 awardees are making meaningful community contributions through their projects, fostering change locally and driving impact throughout the country.

Updates from the 2025 Grants in Place Fellows

The 2025 Grants in Place Fellows are bringing innovative, hands-on learning experiences to their rural classrooms! These dedicated educators are leading projects that connect students with history, science, and the environment—making an impact far beyond the classroom walls.

Building a Wigwam in the Forest Classroom

Amy Clapp - Salisbury, VT

New England Fellow Amy Clapp and her students had the unique opportunity to work alongside Chief Don Stevens of the Abenaki Nation to build a wigwam. This experiential project allowed students to immerse themselves in the history and culture of local Indigenous peoples, bringing social studies to life in an unforgettable way.

100th Anniversary of the Gros Ventre Slide A Community Celebration

Lisa Lowenfels - Kelly, WY

In Wyoming, Lisa Lowenfels, our Northern Rockies Fellow, is guiding her students through hands-on research about the 100th anniversary of the Gros Ventre Slide. This massive landslide, which reshaped the community of Kelly, Wyoming, offers an incredible opportunity for students to study both the geologic and social impacts of the slide—all against the breathtaking backdrop of the Northern Rockies.

Field Trip Fridays in Northern California

Amy Raschein - Mad River, CA

Northern California Fellow Amy Raschein and her students at Southern Trinity High School are gearing up for an unforgettable outdoor learning experience. With their newly stocked backpacking gear, they’ll embark on a three-day, two-night trek in the Trinity Alps from May 4-6, joined by a local biologist. Later in May, they will welcome 8th graders for a two-day hiking trip in Lassen National Park, ensuring younger students also experience the power of outdoor education.

Inspired by the Prairie

Dede Henderson - Jewell, IA

In the Midwest, where winter limits outdoor exploration, Iowa Fellow Dede Henderson and her students are diving into their local natural and artistic heritage. They’ve found creative ways to bring the outdoors inside, filling their classroom with nature-inspired art that connects them to their environment in new and meaningful ways.

Cultivating Roots: Integrating Agriculture and Education in Rural Classrooms

Kelsy Sproul - Sedan, KS

Inspired by the Flint Hills Discovery Center and the Kansas State College of Education’s Bluemont Hall Story Walk, Kelsy Sproul is a kindergarten teacher at Sedan Elementary. With her award, Kelsy has created an interactive learning experience for students of all ages. After receiving root viewers and planting carrot seeds, students are now watching the growing process in real-time—paired with vocabulary-rich interpretive displays in a mini story walk at their school. The excitement grew even more when 21 Kansas State ED ASTRA students visited to experience the school’s rural learning environment firsthand!

Student Community Food Forest

Tammie Marlow - Cleveland, MS

Our first-ever Mississippi Fellow, Tammie Marlow, is leading an ambitious tree-planting project to foster a greener future for her students and community. By getting their hands in the soil, students are learning firsthand about environmental stewardship and the lasting impact of sustainability efforts.

Updates from the 2025 Pacific Northwest Runner Up Awardees:

In RSC’s Pacific Northwest Hub, the Oregon-based Roundhouse Foundation has supported the funding of three additional projects this spring. The Roundhouse Foundation specializes in programs that connect communities and inspire innovation, making Place-Based Education projects a natural extension of their grantmaking.

Buff Elementary Garden Naming Contest

Tracey Sklenar - Madras, OR

April and May are shaping up to be big months for Tracey Sklenar’s project. The Buff Garden Naming Contest has reached its final stage, with 12 top contenders. On Earth Day, local Madras High School Environmental Studies class will perform a play for students—a moment not to be missed! Leading up to the big day, a sign-up sheet will allow classes to visit the Greenhouse and plant a seed of their choice. The excitement continues on April 12th with a "Buff Garden Party," where parents, teachers, and students will work together to clear brush and prepare for new planter boxes.

A Monument to Their Town in Oregon

Michele Engle - Monument, OR

In Monument, Oregon, Michele Engle’s students have worked alongside city officials and community members to design and install a new town welcome sign. They developed technical skills using QCAD software, presented their ideas to the city council, and negotiated with local contractors to make their vision a reality. This project has fostered leadership, teamwork, and a lasting sense of civic pride.

Updates from the 2024-25 National Signature Project Awardees

7th Grade Business Fair

Jessica McGuire - Oakes, ND

Jessica and her students recently held a highly successful business fair, featuring 17 student-run businesses and generating approximately $2,000 in sales. This event provided students with hands-on experience in entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and customer engagement. The excitement and learning opportunities made for an unforgettable experience!

PES Community Chicken Coop

Robyn Bonner - Peck, ID

Robyn’s students have been hard at work researching and planning their school’s new chicken coop. They collaboratively researched necessary materials, calculated costs, and presented their findings to the class. The next step? A vote to decide the final selections! One fourth grader even shared, "This was my dream—to have my own chickens." The team that joined Robyn on purchasing day was the team that the class voted as the best presentation and research group. This inspiring project is only possible thanks to the Grants in Place program!

These incredible projects showcase the power of Place-Based Education in rural communities. Through hands-on experiences, students are not only deepening their understanding of the community around them but also developing critical skills that will serve them for a lifetime. The dedication of these educators is shaping the future of rural education—one innovative project at a time.

We’re excited to see how these projects, and many more from the 2025 Fellows cohort, come to life this spring! Mark your calendars for the June 6th virtual Celebration of Learning, where the Fellows will share their experiences and showcase the impact of their Place-Based Education projects. You won’t want to miss this inspiring event!

Thank you to our outstanding 2024-25 Grants in Place awardees for sharing their project updates with us, and leading these projects for their rural students and communities. And, thank you to our Regional Hub partners for their partnership in our Grants in Place program. Lastly, a special thank you to the Roundhouse Team for their generous support for the additional Pacific Northwest projects this year.