By Jalen Maki

Tomahawk Leader Co-Editor

TOMAHAWK – Tomahawk High School’s Brianna Schield and Adam Blomberg were among 27 teachers in north central and northeastern Wisconsin who received Wisconsin Public Service (WPS)’s Innovative Educator Grants, the company announced last week.

Each year, the WPS Foundation provides the grants to help 6th through 12th grade teachers fund interactive projects or initiatives in the subjects of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Grants totaled more than $24,000 this year, WPS said.

Schield’s funds will be put toward a hydroponic growing system project, while Blomberg’s will be used for a robotics team.

“The Innovative Educator Grant will allow us the opportunity to continue to enrich student curriculum by providing a way to incorporate agricultural content through our hydroponic growing systems,” Schield stated. “We are excited to continue to offer this experience to students in our school who otherwise do not have the opportunity to explore this content area during the school day.”

Schield said the grant will help purchase the necessary equipment and supplies to continue to grow crops from seed to harvest without the use of soil. Students will monitor light and nutrient levels throughout the growth cycle and harvest pesticide-free crops for students to consume at the school and donate to the Tomahawk community.

“What a wonderful opportunity for our students and community to partner with, and with the help of this grant, we can continue to promote healthy eating through our local production of pesticide-free crops in our hydroponic units here at Tomahawk High School,” Schield stated.