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Virtually tracing the blood vessels through the chambers of a sheep’s heart and following the path of air through the lungs allowed seventh graders at Berry Creek Middle School to move beyond just reading about anatomy and explore how the heart and lungs work together — seeing, discovering and asking questions that made science come alive. What started as a lesson on body systems turned into an experience students will never forget.
This virtual dissection of a sheep’s heart and lungs is just one project made possible through the generous support from Vail Health and Vail Resorts to the Education Foundation of Eagle County (EFEC) Classroom Grants, which provide essential resources for more than 900 Eagle County teachers and more than 6,000 students.
Vail Health has been a dedicated partner to EFEC’s STEM grants since 2015, helping ensure local classrooms have access to innovative science, technology, engineering and math instruction. Vail Resorts has been supporting EFEC’s Classroom Grants since 2014, strengthening opportunities for literacy enrichment, art, music and social-emotional learning across Eagle County schools. With recent state budget cuts to education, these grants have become even more essential to sustaining and growing high-quality programs in Eagle County schools.
“Partnerships like Vail Health’s make it possible for EFEC to fill critical gaps in our underfunded public schools,” said Wendy Rimel, executive director of EFEC. “We are deeply grateful for their long-standing commitment to the well-being of children, teachers, and families in our community. Together, we are ensuring that STEM instruction not only continues but thrives.”
“At Vail Health, we believe every student should have the opportunity for a hands-on experience through experimenting and exploring. When students see how what they learn connects to the real world, it builds confidence and changes what they believe is possible,” said Will Cook, Vail Health president and CEO. “Supporting STEM education through EFEC’s Classroom Grants is more than an investment in today’s classrooms. It inspires lifelong learners and opens doors to future careers in science, technology, and the medical field. We are proud to partner with EFEC to help ensure teachers have the resources they need to bring learning to life and spark a sense of discovery in every student.”
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Classroom Grants are one of EFEC’s core programs, designed to empower teachers with resources that directly impact student success.
“The impact extends far beyond science. By funding innovative classroom projects across subjects, EFEC, Vail Health and Vail Resorts support our teachers to spark creativity, equity, and achievement in every corner of our schools,” said Marjorie Oyler, director of gifted and talented education at Eagle County Schools.
This year, EFEC received more than $98,395 in grant requests from local teachers and schools.
