2003 Report • Grants • Programs • Research

A message from theexecutive directorEncouragement for children, recognition for teachers and support for schools – these are the principles that

guide the SMARTer Kids Foundation of Canada. Since 1997, the foundation has acted on these principles

by initiating and sponsoring programs that support students, teachers and schools.

In establishing the foundation, it was our desire to create programs that would make a difference in the

lives of students and teachers. This dream has become a reality. We see smiles on the faces of the students

at the Connections camp when we take them to dig for dinosaur bones. We also see tears when these

same students say goodbye after a richly programmed week in Calgary. We receive the hugs and thanks

from the state teachers of the year, who tell us what a difference their technology award package will

make to their students’ classroom experience. These small things give meaning to the work of the

foundation and those companies that support its activities.

Education is the core of a civilized society. Every day, teachers deliberately and lovingly shape the hearts

and minds of our children, the leaders of tomorrow. Undoubtedly, the knowledge and skills that our

children acquire in schools are essential to their futures. So, too, are the tolerance, compassion and other

values and attitudes that are nurtured and developed in the classroom.

The foundation is doing its part to support this important work, not just in North America but also in other

countries around the world. We invite you to read about the various programs of the foundation in our

first annual report to the community.

Yours truly,

Nancy Knowlton

Executive Director

SMARTer Kids Foundation

Since 1997, the SMARTer Kids

Foundation has been bringing

education technology to

classrooms around the world.

ContentsGrants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

SMARTer Kids Grant for SMART Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

SMARTer Kids Grant for NEC Visual Presentation Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

PREP Grant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Professional Development Grant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

ImagiNations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Teaching Excellence Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Research . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Partners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

©2004 SMARTer Kids Foundation of Canada. All rights reserved. SMARTer Kids is a trademark of the SMARTer Kids Foundation of Canada. SMART Boardis a trademark of SMART Technologies Inc. All other third-party products and company names may be trademarks of their respective owners. Printed in Canada 06/2004.

Improving computer-based instruction

for all schools is the goal of the SMARTer

Kids Foundation. Making technology

products affordable is one step toward

achieving this goal. Another step involves

ensuring that educators can use the

products effectively in the classroom.

The foundation is taking these essential

steps, offering grants to schools, school

districts and teacher-preparation institutions

for the purchase of technology products

and for product training in SMART

Master’s programs.

Grants

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The SMARTer Kids Grant for SMART products

puts interactive technology products within

reach of thousands of K–12 schools and post-

secondary institutions. Available to qualifying

educational institutions, the grants are worth

between 20 and 70 percent of the suggested

list price of approved SMART products.

Who is eligible?Grants are available to all public or private,

accredited, not-for-profit educational

institutions, authorized homeschoolers,

museums and libraries involved in K–12,

college, university, vocational and technical

instruction or administration in the United

States and Canada. The foundation may

also give special permission to institutions

from other countries to apply for the grant.

What products can be

purchased with a grant?The grant can be used to purchase a range

of SMART products for the classroom,

including interactive whiteboards,

software and multimedia cabinets.

2003 figures

Good neighbors such as the SMARTer Kids Foundation help to make it

possible for Lourdesmont to 'go the extra mile' by funding enriching

opportunities for our students that provide incentives for learning and

maximizing the potential of each child.

Dorothy S. Allen, Director of Development and Public Relations

Lourdesmont Good Shepard Youth and Family Services, Clarks Summit, PA

SMARTer Kids Grant for SMART Products

Canada US$2,444,873

United States US$47,044,148

Grants approved 6,467

Total value US$49,489,021

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In partnership with NEC Solutions (America),

Inc., the SMARTer Kids Foundation offers the

SMARTer Kids Grant for NEC Visual

Presentation Products to assist educational

institutions with the purchase of NEC products.

The grant is worth 18 to 60 percent of the

suggested list price of a qualifying product.

Who is eligible?All public or private, accredited, not-for-profit

educational institutions involved in K–12, higher

education, vocational and technical instruction

or administration may apply for the grant.

Not-for-profit museums, libraries and science

centers involved in K–12 or higher education

are also eligible. Grants are generally awarded

to qualifying institutions in the United States

and Canada, but applicants from other countries

may obtain special permission from the

foundation to receive funding.

What products can be

purchased with a grant? Qualifying products include a range of NEC

projectors and plasma displays.

2003 figures

On behalf of the faculty, staff and students of Sacred Heart School, I’d like

to thank the SMARTer Kids Foundation for the grant award to be used

towards the purchase of an NEC LT260 ultra-portable projector. We are

very excited and honored to receive this award. The foundation made it

possible for us to purchase a projector that originally was beyond our budget.

Mrs. Kathleen M. Zelch, Technology Coordinator

Sacred Heart Catholic School, Valley Park, MO

SMARTer Kids Grantfor NEC VisualPresentation Products

Canada US$1,484,255

United States US$5,229,343

Grants approved 3,427

Total value US$6,713,598

8

Having technology products in the classroom

is a good start, but it takes skilled educators to

bring that technology to life for their students.

The PREP Grant ensures that new and established

teachers will know how to effectively deploy

interactive learning tools in the classroom by

assisting teacher-preparation and professional

development facilities around the world with

the purchase of their first SMART products.

PREP grants are worth between 25 and 80

percent of the suggested list price of approved

SMART products.

Who is eligible?Applicants can include universities, colleges,

teacher-preparation schools, institutions or

centers involved in pre-service or in-service

teacher professional development or education

leading to an education degree, or

professional teacher certification, for a

minimum of 100 teachers per year. Other

not-for-profit, in-service, teacher-preparation

centers that prepare a minimum of 100

teachers per year are also eligible.

What products can be

purchased with a grant?The PREP Grant can be used to purchase a

range of SMART products for the classroom,

including interactive whiteboards, software

and multimedia cabinets.

2003 figures

PREP Grant

Your organization has provided an opportunity that will help us accomplish

our mission. Please share our gratitude with your directors so that they will

know that the SMARTer Kids Foundation is making a difference at

Columbia College.

John Schirmer, Executive Director of Development and Alumni Services

Columbia College, Columbia, MO

International US$1,779

United States US$48,105

Grants approved 49

Total value US$49,884

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Helping teachers make the most of their

SMART products is the purpose of the

Professional Development Grant. This grant

helps teachers attend SMART Master’s

programs – focused training sessions that help

participants master the features of SMART

Board interactive whiteboards and use them

effectively in the classroom. Grants are worth

30 percent of the enrolment cost for any

SMART Master’s session.

SMART Master’s events are held several times

each year in locations across North America.

Participants receive detailed instruction to help

them integrate the interactive whiteboard into

their classrooms and curricula. They view

demonstrations of SMART’s free education

resources and receive a SMART Master’s

Learner Workbook, which they use

throughout the session and take home as a

quick reference source.

Who is eligible?All institutions that have already qualified for a

SMARTer Kids Grant for any SMART product

automatically qualify to receive a Professional

Development Grant.

2003 figures

Professional Development Grant

Please convey our sincere appreciation and gratitude for the award of this

grant money. It will significantly enhance the education staff’s ability to

provide quality education programs to our new nurses and other staff who

care for the children of the Memphis and Mid-South area. Your generosity

and support will enable us to provide technology that would not

have been available otherwise and will certainly improve the learning

experience for our students.

Cheryl Henderson, Administrative Director

Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center, Memphis, TN

Grants used 71Approved grants between October 1, 2002,

and September 30, 2003

$28,030

Building relationships, fostering

communication, recognizing excellence

– the SMARTer Kids Foundation creates

and sponsors programs that put a human

face on education technology. The

SMARTer Kids Foundation programs –

Connections, ImagiNations and the

Teaching Excellence Awards – facilitate

international, collaborative projects,

promote cross-cultural understanding

and reward America’s most dedicated

and inspiring teachers.

Programs

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ConnectionsAdventure, discovery, growth. The Connections

program offers a range of activities that bring

together students and teachers from the

United States, Canada and Mexico. The

Connections program has taken place over

two years, but will become a one-year program

in 2005. The program has three components:

teacher preparation, collaborative learning

projects and the Calgary student visit.

Teacher trainingOnce grade six classes from eight to ten

schools have been accepted, the teachers

come to Calgary for a week of training. They

meet the other participants and learn how to

use classroom technology products from

SMART and NEC. The teachers define and

develop collaborative learning projects for the

upcoming year and finish their visit with a tour

of some of the sites around Calgary that will

be part of the Calgary student visit.

Collaborative projectsStudents in the Connections program get

to know each other through a series of

collaborative classroom projects. These

projects can include Web postings, online

newsletters and pen-pal exchanges.

Participants learn about each other and about

different geographical regions and cultures.

Calgary student visitConnections culminates with the Calgary student

visit. Participating teachers select student

ambassadors to accompany them to Calgary for

a week of fun, adventure and learning. Students

and teachers visit educational and tourist sites

in the Calgary area, including Banff National

Park, the Calgary Zoo and the Royal Tyrrell

Museum of Palaeontology.

The SMARTer Kids Foundation covers the

of airfare, accommodation, meals, local

transportation and admission to Connections-

sponsored activities for the teacher training and

Calgary student visit portions of the program.

2002–2004 figures

September 2002 to June 2004

• Participating schools: 8

• Particpating teachers: 16

• Students participating in Calgary

student visit: 64

Connections is an educator’s dream. Challenging concepts to teach, such

as collaboration and multicultural awareness, are taught in a real-world

context. Connections is different from other grant-funded programs in

that the classroom is supported from start to finish and the excitement for

learning increases each step of the way.

Katie Morrow

O’Neill Elementary, O’Neill, NE

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ImagiNationsThe traveling teddy bears of the ImagiNations

program bring cross-cultural learning to life for

students in elementary and primary schools

around the world. The toy ambassadors travel

from school to school, bringing with them

journal entries, photographs and souvenirs

from previous stops on their journeys.

Schools chosen to participate in ImagiNations

are divided into groups. Each group includes

schools from different countries and regions.

One teddy bear and its accompanying travel

kit are sent to each group to spend

approximately one month at each school.

Each travel kit contains a journal, a photo

album, items selected by the foundation to

accompany the bear and items collected

from other schools.

During the bear’s stay, students must add the

required items to the travel kit:

• ten or more journal entries describing the

bear’s visit

• two items, such as maps, postcards or

recipes illustrating the culture or geography

of the location

• two local souvenirs

• drawings or photographs showing the

bear’s adventures

• one surprise item

When the kit is complete, the bear is shipped

to the next school.

Participating schools in each group make

contact with each other to share stories about

the bear’s exploits. Teachers are encouraged

to keep in touch with other schools in their

group and to continue building international

relationships through collaborative projects.

2003 figures

Participating teachers: 50

Participating students: 1,250

Traveling teddy bears: 10

Participating classes per country

• United States: 14

• Canada: 19

• International: 17

One of the most amazing parts of [the bear] Ariel’s visit was the willing-

ness of students to write about her, especially students who don’t want to

write or complete classroom work. After I shared one student’s writing

and she was praised for her efforts, the student started turning in her

classroom work! I am so appreciative of the SMARTer Kids ImagiNations

program and our chance to be part of it.

Karen Mensinger

Belfair Elementary, Belfair, WA

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Teaching Excellence AwardsRecognizing inspiration, dedication and skill,

the Teaching Excellence Awards honor teachers

who have made a significant impact on their

students, schools and communities. The

Teaching Excellence Awards donate prizes of

education technology products to existing

teacher-recognition programs.

In 2001, the SMARTer Kids Foundation

entered into a five-year sponsorship agreement

with each of the 57 U.S. State Teacher of the

Year programs recognized by the National

Teacher of the Year program. The Teaching

Excellence Awards program presents a package

of education technology products to each

State Teacher of the Year and is the only

nationally sponsored program that awards

technology products. In some states, the

awards represent the only gift to the

Teachers of the Year.

2003 figures

With the dramatic cutbacks in education spending, I never dreamed I

would have such a high-tech classroom. I commend the SMARTer Kids

Foundation for making a commitment to education by providing such

wonderful products and training for teachers. They are an example for

other organizations to follow.

Dr. Betsy Rogers, 2003 U.S. National Teacher of the Year,

Alabama State Teacher of the Year and Teaching Excellence Award winner,

Leeds Elementary School, Jefferson County, AL

Award winners: 62

Award package value per teacher: US$4,845

Total value: US$300,390

Every day, teachers deliberately

and lovingly shape the hearts

and minds of our children, the

leaders of tomorrow.

The best education technology products

to invest in are those that have been

proven effective in the classroom.

Through its research program, the

SMARTer Kids Foundation supports and

publishes scientific studies of the use of

technology products in the classroom

in order to help educators investigate

the effects of technology products on

teaching and learning.

Research

The best education technology

products to invest in are those

that have been proven effective

in the classroom.

19

ResearchThe SMARTer Kids Foundation research

program invites educators to submit proposals

for research projects. Each project comprises a

six- to eight-month study of a learning

environment that includes a SMART Board

interactive whiteboard and a paper detailing

the study’s outcomes.

The foundation asks that researchers focus

their inquiries not on the equipment itself,

but rather on learning and behavioral

outcomes. Suggested topics include curriculum

development, students with disabilities, gender

and technology, distance learning, literacy,

coaching, collaborative learning, teacher

preparation and learning theories.

Successful applicants receive a SMART Board

560 interactive whiteboard and floor stand to

use in their study. When they have met the

program requirements, participants may keep

the interactive whiteboard at no charge. The

foundation posts final papers on its website,

www.smarterkids.org/research/library.asp.

2003 figures

Proposals submitted: 40

Proposals accepted: 3

Projects completed: 2

20

Partners

Founding and funding partner

SMART Technologies Inc.

SMART Technologies Inc. is both the industry

pioneer and global market leader in easy-to-

use interactive whiteboards and other group

collaboration tools. SMART products include

the family of award-winning SMART Board

interactive whiteboards, as well as interactive

lecterns, multimedia furniture and software.

Using SMART products, groups can access

and share the information they need to meet,

teach, train and present. SMART’s customers

include Northern Kentucky University,

Tennessee’s Rhea County Department of

Education, the Vermont Institute for Science,

Math & Technology, Indiana’s Carmel Junior

High School, Virginia’s Chesterfield County

Public Schools and Harvard University.

SMART is a private company founded in 1987.

Employing more than 500 people, SMART is

headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada,

with assembly facilities in Ottawa and Calgary,

and offices in Bonn, Tokyo, New York City and

Washington, DC. In 1992 SMART formed a

strategic alliance with Intel® Corporation that

resulted in joint product development and

marketing efforts, and Intel’s equity ownership

in SMART. SMART products are sold through

dealers across North America and through

distributors worldwide. For more information,

visit www.smarttech.com.

Funding partner

NEC Solutions (America), Inc.

NEC is proud to be the exclusive display

provider to the SMARTer Kids Foundation

grant program. NEC’s award-winning projectors

and state-of-the-art plasma displays have

brought new life and clarity to classrooms

across North America through the SMARTer

Kids Foundation program.

NEC is a premier provider of integrated

solutions for the Connected Enterprise in North

America. As an affiliate of NEC Corporation

(NASDAQ:NIPNY) (FTSE: 6701q.1), NEC taps

into a global resource network to help clients

leverage technology to achieve a competitive

edge. Providing mobile enterprise computing

systems, biometric security solutions, business

intelligence, projector and plasma display

solutions, business service management and IT

professional services, NEC delivers its expertise

with the personal attention needed to address

individual situations. With headquarters in

Rancho Cordova, CA, NEC maintains research,

marketing, sales and support facilities

throughout the United States. Information

regarding NEC Solutions (America), Inc. can be

found at www.necsam.com.

Putting education technology products in classrooms around the world,

helping educators to use those products effectively and encouraging students

to use those products as gateways to global citizenship – these achievements

require the resources and efforts of many dedicated people and organizations.

The SMARTer Kids Foundation relies on the generous support of its partners to

bring learning opportunities to students around the world.

21

Program partner,

Teaching Excellence Awards

AlphaSmart, Inc.

AlphaSmart®, Inc. is a leading provider of

technology solutions for education and

productivity, focused on reducing the cost and

complexity of computing. AlphaSmart, Inc. (AI)

was founded as Intelligent Peripheral Devices,

Inc. (IPD) in 1992. Our name was changed to

AlphaSmart, Inc. in 1999. AlphaSmart’s

mission is to develop and market affordable

and effective technology solutions for the

education market. For more information, visit

www.alphasmart.com.

Program partner, Teaching

Excellence Awards

Immersive Education Ltd.

Immersive Education Ltd. is a specialist

education software publishing business based

in Oxford, UK. We develop innovative software

solutions for use by teachers, pupils and parents

designed for schools and homes. Immersive

also publishes curriculum-based offline support

materials for teaching in the form of lesson

plans, activity suggestions and units of work

that function alongside its software platforms.

Immersive’s products represent a combination

of software innovation and traditional publishing.

They offer schools a new way of integrating

computer-based learning techniques across the

spectrum of curricular subjects in a facilitated

classroom environment.

Immersive’s products are designed to unlock

creativity in a way that so engages children

that they often don’t realize how much they

are learning. This quality, derived from

Immersive’s use of technical and design

platforms pioneered by the computer games

industry, is leading to numerous tangible class-

room benefits for both teachers and pupils. To

learn more, visit www.kar2ouche.com/imed.

Program partner, Teaching

Excellence Awards

eInstruction Corporation

Headquartered in Denton, Texas, eInstruction

Corporation is a leader in the educational

technology industry. With the introduction of

the Classroom Performance System (CPS) in

2000, eInstruction is now the unquestioned

educational leader in real-time, interactive

wireless response pad technology. Over 500,000

response pads are now being used in all 50

states in thousands of K–12 schools as well as

over 450 universities and 10 foreign countries.

eInstruction was founded in 1981, by Dr.

Darrell L. Ward, a long-time researcher and

teacher. He recognized a significant need in

educational institutions for innovative technology-

based products. Many years of consistent

cutting-edge research and development have

earned eInstruction a reputation of excellence

in the education market.

eInstruction Corporation is committed to

providing innovative products that enhance the

learning process in corporations and educational

institutions through the use of computer-based

technology, software and the Internet. Visit

www.einstruction.com for more information.

Program partner, ImagiNations

Ty Canada Inc.

Ty Canada Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of

Ty Inc., the creator of the world-famous

Beanie Babies and other plush collectibles for

people of all ages. For more information, visit

www.ty.com.

Program partner, ImagiNations

Federal Express Canada Ltd.

Federal Express Canada Ltd. is a global logistics

company offering domestic and international

shipping and electronic commerce solutions.

The company uses real-time package status

tracking systems, automated customs clearance

services and a dedicated air and ground

transportation network to serve Canadian

and global markets. Celebrating 15 years in

Canada, FedEx® is dedicated to being the

nation’s "employer, neighbor and shipper of

choice." FedEx employs more than 5,000

people in over 60 facilities coast-to-coast.

Federal Express Canada Ltd. has partnered

with the foundation to provide assistance

with global transportation of the ImagiNations

teddy bear boxes throughout the world. Visit

www.fedex.com to learn more.

Program partner, ImagiNations

Smith/Induspac

Smith/Induspac has partnered with the

foundation and provides their support through

the donation of the teddy bear boxes. For

more information, visit www.induspac.com.

SMARTer Kids Foundation of Canada

Suite 300, 1207 11th Avenue S.W.

Calgary, AB CANADA T3C 0M5

Tel: 1.866.288.0454

Fax: 403.228.2500

E-mail: info@smarterkids.org

www.smarterkids.org