DARING Innovation Grants
The District 128 Foundation for Learning continued its mission to enhance and enrich learning in Community High School District 128 by awarding 11 DARING Innovation Grants totaling $20,696 to Libertyville High School, Vernon Hills High School and Transition Pathways teachers and District Office staff. The 2024-2025 grant winners were announced in April 2025. This year's grants brought the number of grants awarded by the Foundation since 2008 to 219 and the total dollars funded to $357,992.97. The Foundation has also funded $128,600 for project funding to LHS and VHHS. Total funding for Innovation Grants and Projects is $486,592.97.
The 2025-2026 DARING Innovation Grants will be awarded in May!
The 2024-2025 DARING Innovation Grants Winners
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2024-2025 DARING Innovation Grant Summaries
A “Sick” Book Study for AP Biology - In “Survival of the Sickest” by Dr.Sharon Moalem, students will dive into the connections between genetics, evolution, and human health to reveal how conditions we see as harmful today, such as diabetes, may have once been the key to survival.
$1,400 - VHHS - Science - Chris Wolf, Amy Elliott
Ahoy, Science! - Butler Lake is a living laboratory for AP Environmental Science. The Foundation grant helped fund a Lowe Jon Boat so students can answer questions about the health of the lake and learn key concepts related to lake ecology, nutrient cycling, predator/prey relationships, restoration ecology, invasive species, and more.
$2, 500 - LHS - Science - Jennifer Kahn
Brew the Perfect Coffee with Chemistry - Students will see the connections between chemistry and many other disciplines, including chemical engineering, to learn chemical engineering concepts that they then apply to their coffee. At the end, students must brew the best-tasting coffee using the least amount of energy.
$2,500 - LHS - Science - Sherri Rukes
Exploring Circus Acts as Theatre - The Lookingglass Theater in Chicago provided a “talk-back” time after the production of “Circus Quixote”. This unique engagement offered students the opportunity to experience professional theatre and expand their understanding of professional careers in theatre as well as learn about innovative approaches to storytelling. The Foundation grant contributed to this experience.
$600 - LHS - Theatre Arts - Christopher Thomas, Kevin Holly
Functional Literacy and Math through Service Learning - Students utilize functional literacy skills, math application skills, and social-language skills to implement service learning projects while researching community-based and world organizations that need support. The service component is designed to deepen learning as students demonstrate growth in personal and social responsibility.
$2,500 - LHS - Special Education - Kim Jansen, Meghan Ahern
If you can't see it, Model it! - Biology Magnets are educational tools that allow students to physically model biological and chemical processes and molecular interactions giving all learners the ability to manipulate, visualize, and experience science.
$1,846 - VHHS - Science - Amy Elliott , Justina Doll
Immersive Virtual Reality Education - While solving compelling real world problems, the goal of this project is to bridge learning loss and boost interest in STEM in a fun, engaging way.
$2,500 - LHS - Mathematics & Science - Nikki Olszewski, Pete Olszewski, Tim Budge, Pete Dawson, Jenny Loika, Tom Koulentes
LST Coping Cabinets - Inside the coping cabinets, are supplies for students to support mental health needs throughout the day. Items in the cabinet are designed to help students regulate their emotions and accommodate any sensory needs that are getting in the way of their ability to function in the classroom setting.
$750 - LHS - LST - Emily Eichmeier, Julia West
Measuring Dissolved Oxygen in the Field - Students collect water samples to record multiple biotic and abiotic data points as they study freshwater ecosystems. Oxygen meters help measure dissolved oxygen in field samples to maintain accurate testing results. The level of dissolved oxygen in water is a key indication of the health of aquatic ecosystems.
$1,300 - LHS - Science - Karen Kym, Ashley Bell, Megan Sharp
Self-Navigating Delivery Robot for Hospitals and Medical Facilities - This project creates a self-navigating delivery robot. Students build the hardware, develop obstacle-avoiding navigation with real-time decision-making, and incorporate machine learning for human-aware movement. The project will also explore a companion app for route planning and delivery management. The robot will deliver medical supplies, blood/test samples, and paperwork quickly and safely, using ultrasonic and LiDAR sensors, physical durability, and password protection for privacy.
$2,300 - VHHS CTE & Mathematics - Adam Lueken, Brian Miller
The Chemistry Behind Chocolate: Unveiling Sweet Science Secrets - Students are introduced to the principles of chemistry and the connections to other disciplines while using chocolate as the prevailing theme. Tackling fundamental topics from the molecular structures of atoms to covalent and ionic bonding, chocolate enables chemistry concepts to be more easily digestible. A culminating project of making chocolate will help teach the principles of chemistry at a higher level and dig deeper into scientific concepts.
$2,500 - LHS - Science - Sherri Rukes
Total Grants Funded for 2024-2025 as of May 19, 2024 - $20,696
Total Grants and Projects Funded since 2008 - $486,592.97
Check out this DARING Innovation Grant in Action
This video highlights the work of VHHS students as a result of a DARING Innovation Grant awarded in 2025. The project encompassed conceptualization of an idea to solve a real world problem, building hardware, incorporating machine learning, creation of an app and more. In addition, this group worked across teachers and classrooms, displaying excellent teamwork and communication skills.
2025 DARING Innovation Grant: $2,300 - VHHS CTE & Mathematics - Adam Lueken, Brian Miller