News Release

May 26, 2005

PNM Foundation Awards $200,000 to Innovative Teachers

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NEWS MEDIA CONTACT Susan Sponar Telephone: (505) 241-2768

Albuquerque: The nonprofit, shareholder-funded PNM Foundation has awarded $200,000 to provide teachers throughout New Mexico with more tools for creative teaching.

"PNM Classroom Innovation Grants inspire teachers to explore the limitless possibilities with New Mexico students," said Diane Harrison Ogawa, executive director of the PNM Foundation.

Applications for the annual grants were due in March, and more than 250 teachers across the state applied. Ninety grants were announced in April, allowing teachers the summer to prepare their programs.

Among the ideas funded are:

• Waste Not Want Not!, proposed by Chris Hilleary of Sandia High School: Students will investigate a novel way to convert waste fryer oil into biodiesel, an alternative fuel. The class will convert a traditional gasoline-powered go-kart to run on this biodiesel.
• Getting Fit One Beat at a Time, proposed by Kathy Lund of Naaba Ani Elementary School: Students will use heart rate monitors, pedometers and fitness testing data to become more physically active to improve their over all well-being. The program will empower students by providing them with ideas to maintain their fitness level or develop a fitness plan to meet their personal goals.
• Generation: Navajo Art Project, proposed by Linda Gutierrez of Navajo Missions School: Kindergarten to sixth-grade students will learn how to weave rugs, sculpt and sand paint by their elders. With these art projects, students will understand the historical and cultural relevance of the tools and resources they use and gain skills that could potentially add to their income as well as continue their cultural traditions.
• I Love to Hear, "I Hate This Class," proposed by Linda Sandstrom of New Futures School: Students will investigate the influence of television, radio and movies on their lives and on the world. With increased media literacy awareness, the classes will produce a public service announcement utilizing media software.
• Agriculture in the Desert Through the Jewish Value of Ba'al Tashit (conserve), proposed by Chavah Carp of Solomon Schechter Day School: Students will study soil quality, water usage, heat and light as they grow the food for traditional Jewish celebrations. The garden also reinforces important values such as working hard, conserving and treating others as you would like to be treated.

Learn about all 90 PNM Classroom Innovation Grants

Celebrating more than 20 years of improving New Mexico's quality of life, the PNM Foundation is a nonprofit, tax-exempt corporation that was originally endowed by a gift from PNM's shareholders. No customer funds are part of the endowment. For more information, please contact the PNM Foundation at (505) 241-2284.