One of the more inspiring Classroom Wishlist visits this fall was from the inspiring story of Beauty, a bald eagle who was shot illegally and rescued by Birds of Prey Northwest founder Jane Veltkamp. Misti Newby, the STEM teacher at Black Canyon Elementary School in Grace invited Veltkamp to give a raptor presentation to the students of the district in late October.
Beauty was the recipient of a revolutionary 3D-printed beak to replace the one she lost. Although Beauty was never able to return to the wild, she resided with Veltkamp for an additional 20 years. Jane wrote a book in 2017 about Beauty's inspiring story which became a best seller and won many national awards.
The STEM students at Black Canyon Elementary learned about the plight of Raptors living in the west from the presentation and made practical use of their 3-D printer attempting to replicate Beauty’s beak as a classroom project.
The Idaho Lottery Classroom Wishlist program helped with the fundraising for the Birds of Prey Northwest school assembly and presentation.
Here is a list of the current projects that will help schools to begin 2025:
- Glenns Ferry Elementary, Glenns Ferry – Photography equipment
- Highland School District, Craigmont – Classroom books
- Maple Grove Elementary, Boise – Classroom Seating
- Nampa High School, Nampa - Classroom Supplies
- Orofino Elementary, Orofino – Classroom furniture
- Orofino Jr/Sr High, Orofino – Whiteboard and whiteboard supplies
- Peregrine Elementary, Meridian - Classroom transformation
- Ponderosa Elementary, Meridian – New books and Sensory items
- Ririe Elementary, Ririe – Class supplies
- Rulon Ellis Elementary, Chubbuck – Sensory supplies
- South Fork Elementary, Rigby – Classroom Mailbox
- Syringa Middle School, Caldwell – Project supplies for every teacher
- Victory Middle School, Meridian – Library software
- Washington Elementary, Sandpoint – STEM equipment
