Grants in Action: Bringing Learning to Life at Vinland and Beyond

This spring, learning at Vinland Elementary wasn’t confined to pages in a textbook; it came rolling right into the classroom. Thanks to a North Kitsap Schools Foundation grant, the Burkemobile and Burke Boxes transformed fourth and fifth-grade lessons into hands-on adventures filled with discovery, laughter, and plenty of wide-eyed wonder.

When the Museum Comes to You

Forget permission slips and school buses—this museum came to the Dolphins. The Burkemobile, a traveling exhibit filled with real artifacts and stories, rolled up to Vinland to share its Living Traditions program: an exploration of the rich cultures of the Native Peoples of the Pacific Northwest.

In an instant, the classroom was transformed. Students gathered around objects once held by real people generations ago. They leaned in, asked questions, and connected the dots between history, culture, and the world they live in today.

“They were able to explain how the materials related to the research they had already done, and lots of great conversations were generated,” said teacher Annika Saavedra, who led the project.

It was more than a history lesson; it was a journey through time and perspective, one that sparked empathy and curiosity in equal measure.

Treasure Chests of Discovery

Just when the excitement couldn’t get any bigger, the Burke Boxes arrived. These themed boxes, Lewis & Clark and Native Peoples of Puget Sound, were like treasure chests brimming with stories waiting to be discovered.

Each box contained artifacts, replicas, and lesson tools designed to bring concepts off the page and into students’ hands. When the lids opened, gasps and smiles filled the room. Suddenly, social studies wasn’t just something to study; it was something to experience.

Students pieced together how the items connected to their research, comparing, discussing, and sharing insights that showed just how deeply they were engaged.

One student, holding an artifact gently in their hands, whispered, “It’s like holding the story itself.”

That’s the power of tactile learning; it transforms understanding into connection.

Waves of Curiosity

For the 120 Vinland Dolphins who took part, the experience sparked something that will last far beyond the school year. They didn’t just learn facts, they felt the excitement of discovery. They saw how the past shapes the present, and how curiosity can open doors to understanding and respect.

The project also strengthened the classroom community. Students collaborated, shared ideas, and found confidence in expressing their own interpretations. Teachers saw new sparks of leadership and creativity emerge from every corner of the classroom.

And of course, this isn’t the end, it’s just the beginning. The Dolphins are already eager for what’s next: exploring science-themed Burke Boxes like Geologic Time or revisiting Rocks & Minerals to connect with their new geology unit.

From Grants to Growth

Every year, the North Kitsap Schools Foundation empowers educators like Annika Saavedra to turn dreams into discovery. Classroom grants make moments like this possible, moments when learning steps off the page and comes to life.

The Foundation’s mission is simple: to support innovative, meaningful learning experiences that stay with students long after the bell rings.

Because when curiosity is sparked, learning becomes limitless.

When imagination is encouraged, confidence blooms.

And when teachers are empowered, entire classrooms are transformed.

This is what your support makes possible, one spark, one grant, one inspired student at a time.

At Vinland and beyond, Foundation grants are proving that when you invest in imagination, you change what learning feels like.