Lighting Up Learning: How a Grant Sparked Hands-On Science at Warwick High School

Lighting Up Learning: How a Grant Sparked Hands-On Science at Warwick High School

At the Warwick Education Foundation, we believe that when students are actively engaged in learning, the possibilities are endless. That’s why we’re proud to support teachers who bring innovation and inspiration into their classrooms—just like science teacher Dalton Patterson at Warwick High School.

This year, through one of our teacher grants, Dalton received a set of Modular Circuit Kits that have transformed how his students experience physics. Before the grant, Mr. Patterson was working without any functional circuit boards—limiting the hands-on experiences he could offer. Now, thanks to these modern kits, his students can build, test, and troubleshoot electrical circuits safely and with ease.

“Before, I didn’t have any functioning circuit boards. This grant allows me to teach my students in a more hands-on way, which I think is always superior to purely theoretical,” Dalton shared

The impact has been immediate—and inspiring. Students are not only more engaged, but they’re also better able to grasp complex concepts that are critical to both the curriculum and future careers in STEM.

“I’m a visual learner—these help me see what’s happening in real-time,” one student explained.

Integrating more authentic, project-based lab experiences, these kits help students meet curriculum standards and prepare them for real-world applications in STEM fields. Students can now confidently build, test, and troubleshoot circuits, developing problem-solving skills crucial for future careers in science and engineering.

This is exactly what our mission is all about—empowering teachers with the tools they need to ignite learning and helping students explore their potential in meaningful, hands-on ways.

We’re incredibly grateful to our donors, whose generosity made this grant—and so many others—possible. Your support fuels innovation in the classroom and opens doors for students across the Warwick community.

Interested in supporting more classroom innovation? Click here to donate to the Warwick Education Foundation and help bring even more hands-on, high-impact learning experiences to Warwick students!