DARING Innovation Grants
​​This year, the District 128 Foundation for Learning continued its mission to enhance and enrich learning in Community High School District 128 by awarding 10 DARING Innovation Grants totaling $15,032 to Libertyville High School, Vernon Hills High School and Transition Pathways teachers and District Office staff. The 2025-2026 grant winners were announced in May 2026. This year's grants brought the number of grants awarded by the Foundation since 2008 to 229 and the total dollars funded to $373,035. The Foundation has also funded $128,600 for project funding to LHS and VHHS. Total funding for Innovation Grants and Projects is $501,635. ​
The 2025-2026 DARING Innovation Grant Recipients
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District 128 Foundation for Learning
DARING Innovation Grants Awarded 2025-2026
A Living Lab
This project merges two innovative ideas - an on-campus, indoor, greenhouse-like growing ecosystem and multiple, controlled, measurable trial setups - into one superior project: A Living Lab. This project is organized in the STEM Lab at VHHS, where students have the opportunity to grow plants, design methods, and collect quantitative data to conduct authentic research. Hydroponic planting systems offer students the unique opportunity to manipulate soil conditions for endless experimental options.
$2,500 - VHHS - Science - Amy Elliott
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Assistive Technology Lending Closet
This project will establish a Hearing Assistive Technology (HAT) Lending Closet to support Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) students in accessing safety, communication, learning, and independent living. The closet includes tools such as visual and/or tactile alert systems, noise protection for Deaf, and communication support that students can trial across school, home, and community environments to experience and determine which is the best fit for their needs.
$1,116 - LHS, VHHS & Transition Pathways - Special Services - Emily Taylor
Engineering a Product from Start to Finish
This project is a new hands-on learning experience implemented in two Project Lead the Way courses. The project introduces students to an alternative manufacturing process—vacuum forming—while reinforcing design thinking and digital fabrication skills. Students design a custom candy bar mold using Autodesk Fusion 360 3D modeling software, and 3D print their designs using one of the classroom 3D printers. The printed model is used with a vacuum forming machine to create a reusable mold. Once the mold is completed, students will melt chocolate, pour it into the form, and allow it to cure in a refrigerator. This results in a finished candy bar product. This project provides students with a complete design-to-production experience that connects CAD, additive manufacturing, and real-world manufacturing processes.
$1,265.98 - LHS - Applied Technology - Andrew Thomson
Free choice library in French
Students began a free and voluntary reading program in French 3 honors, and on Fridays, students choose a book from the class library to read and to journal. This encourages passive learning while giving students a choice about which topics they prefer. The students are interested in science, nature, and history, as well as a variety of children’s books. This expansion of books increases vocabulary and cultural topics in the French classroom.
$1,000 - LHS - Laura Guiard & VHHS - Kristina Hauptmann - World Languages
LHS SOS: Save Our Story
LHS has a rich history - over a century of students and teachers who have made this school a second home. Digitizing the history of yearbooks and Drops of Ink publications makes them accessible to students, alumni, historians, and the community as a whole by providing a searchable database to rekindle time at LHS with the touch of a screen.
$2,500 - LHS - Social Studies - Kevin O’Neill
OpenBraille: Expanding Access to Literacy Through Low-Cost Assistive Technology
OpenBraille is a low-cost, dynamically refreshing Braille display that converts digital text into tactile Braille in real time. Using a combination of a Python-based translation engine, Arduino-controlled solenoids, and a wireless companion app, students read digital content through touch. The device includes finger tracking to support guided reading and pacing, and this project promotes deeper learning through problem-solving, iteration, and collaboration while also increasing accessibility for visually impaired learners.
$1,500 - VHHS - Mathematics - Adam Lueken & Applied Technology - Brian Miller
Photography: Transition Skill
This grant encourages students to learn new skills and use their creativity to capture photos of their community. By taking pictures of the places and images that are meaningful to them, photography may encourage vocational as well as leisure activities.
$1,200 - Transition Pathways - Marci Simmons & Alyssa Pechter
Prism VR
Implementation of PRISM VR technology in all LHS biology and algebra classrooms with expansion into CTE classes over time allows the introduction of VR technology into the curriculum. This is a promising technology for immersive learning that will impact student engagement, learning, and achievement.
$2,500 - District Office - Tom Koulentes & Ben Rodriguez; LHS - Mathematics- Nikki Olszewski, Pete Olszewski, Tim Budge; Applied Technology - Kristin Schwarz & Science - Pete Dawson
Speakology AI: Cultivating Resilient and Global Communicators in the LHS German Classroom
This grant leverages Speakology AI to transform the German classroom into an active lab where students develop the DARING attributes of resilience and global communication. Speakology AI is a modern language learning platform featuring simulated AI-teacher video calls and curricular speaking tools. By using generative AI to scaffold conversational skills, students are empowered to build fluency and confidence in their German language skills.
$250 - LHS - World Languages - Heidi Lechner
Zen Den
The "Zen Den" provides a space for students with sensory processing differences to utilize tools to regulate alertness so they can more fully participate in their education. The space is within a special education classroom and has tools to support the eight sensory systems and meet the individual needs of students.
$1,200 - LHS - Special Services - Kimberly Weinberg
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Total Grants Funded for the 2026-2027 school year as of 4-30-2026 - $15,031.98
Total Grants and Projects Funded since 2008 - $501,635.00
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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