3M + math + science + economics = fun at Lincoln Elementary School.

Students learning abstract mathematical, scientific and economic concepts will have a more hands-on experience at LES, thanks to technology company 3M.

Through the 3M Ingenuity Grant, the elementary school was awarded $14,600. According to the Office of Fund Development’s Web site – a foundation related to 3M – the grants will be used “to bring new, ingenious learning opportunities into the classroom that furthers student learning, achievement and application of science, math or economics principles.”

“We are very thrilled to be receiving these awards,” Lincoln Elementary Principal Cristy Meyer said.

The five grants include math enhancement materials, simple machine-building tools based on Lego building blocks, microscopes (including a digital teacher’s microscope in which images can be seen by the entire class), National Geographic reading materials and child-safe energy manipulatives, such as switches and circuits, Meyer said.

The new programs and equipment will be available in all third- through fifth-grade classrooms and maybe in other grades as well, Meyer said.

3M contacted local grade schools, as it does every year, to survey what programs they had in place in the areas of math, science and economics. Certain schools were then chosen to apply for grants; one of the schools was Lincoln Elementary School.

“Schools are asked to write proposals so we can recognize what programs are currently available and what programs could be beneficial,” 3M Spokesperson Jacqueline Berry said.

Teacher input is particular important because that is the best way to determine what programs a school could benefit from, Berry said.

Meyer said every one of her third, fourth and fifth grade teachers participated in the grant writing process.

“We had a grant-writing party to discuss what programs we wanted,” Meyer said. “It was a great collaborative effort.”

LES did not receive all of the grants it applied for, however. Meyer said there was a sixth grant proposal to access “Discovery Science” video clips online to support units in science classes. 3M rejected the bid because the program would eventually force the school to search for outside funds to support the program, violating an eligibility requirement.

LES will receive the grant by the first week of May, Berry said.