Twelve new projects will reach Conestoga Valley students from preschool through senior year, and some of the news was delivered in person. On Monday, October 26, members of the Conestoga Valley Education Foundation (CVEF) team walked into several CV schools with good news for the teachers inside. Teachers were quick to round up students and colleagues involved in their projects for photos, and several said the surprise made for a great Monday morning.  One of the people we surprised was a student: Karaline Berkey, a CV High School student whose own research is now becoming a grant-funded project. The surprises followed CVEF’s October 23 meeting, where the board approved $58,551.58 in grants for the 2026 fall cycle. Here’s what’s coming to CV classrooms.

  Learning Sustainability Through Real-World Experience What happens when students can move beyond the textbook and explore sustainable energy firsthand? At Gerald Huesken Middle School, Mr. Matt Maisano’s Sustainable Learning Center is turning classroom concepts into hands-on discoveries. Made possible by a $64,935 grant from the Conestoga Valley Education Foundation (CVEF), the Sustainable Learning Center gives students opportunities to explore renewable energy, analyze real-world data, and see how sustainable technologies can be applied in everyday life. The project includes a 32.4-kilowatt rooftop solar panel system, a small off-grid solar and wind system, and a solar-powered greenhouse—all designed to bring STEM, technology education, and mathematics to life. During a recent visit, we had the opportunity to observe students putting their knowledge to work. The lesson began with students becoming “experts” in one of four renewable energy sources: wind, solar, hydroelectric, or geothermal. After researching their assigned source, students returned to their groups to teach their classmates how it works, along with its advantages and disadvantages. Students listened, asked questions, and explored the trade-offs involved in choosing different energy sources. Then it was time to head outside!