Educators & College Students: I need your advice
 

I just found out that I will be the recipient of a local community service award (apologize for the brag, but it really does mean a lot). There is a small honorarium that accompanies the award that I'd like to use to enhance the classroom experience of my students. Since my classrooms are not "mine" per se (as I share them with whomever else teaches in them), I thought I would crowd source some ideas for the money. The amount is small, $2k, but I think it could be put to good use.

Sincere thanks for the help!

What kind of technology is your classroom currently outfitted with? Do you have ceiling mounted projectors? Those are nice if you use computer based content in your teaching.

Unless you have a desperate need for technology, I might lean toward using the money for field trips or service learning projects.

Royals season tickets and antifreeze already considered and vetoed, BTW.

Thanks for the reply. Yes, we have ceiling-mounted projectors and document cameras that I use, literally, daily. Field trips sound interesting, especially in terms of conference attendance. That's a great idea.

You could have a major class project and make it a competition. Top project(s) get to go to the conference to present their results.

Edit: you'd want an independent panel to judge the projects for the travel.

Nice.

It's not much, but I was also thinking about a small scholarship seed.