Randolph College
Science Education Group
Classroom Science Grants 2017-2018
ALL MINIGRANTS HAVE BEEN AWARDED FOR 2017-2018
$1000 for equipment plus 25 recertification points
Randolph College will offer 8 mini-grants to classroom teachers in grades 3-9 for classroom projects in the spring of the 2017 school year and for the school year 2017-2018. The grants are to fund hands-on science or inquiry based lessons for students. The funds may be used to buy equipment (e.g. microscopes, lab supplies, supplies for each student to engage in an experiment) and or consumables, or pay for an interactive field trip that is science related. Teachers may collaborate on a project, however one teacher must be identified as the Lead Teacher for the project.
Grant recipients who receive grants for the spring of 2017 must agree to attend the Randolph College Summer Science & Mathematics Teacher Institute the week of June 19-23, 2017, and grant recipients for 2017-18 school year must attend the Institute in 2018, June 18-22. All recipients must agree to the terms for attending the Institute. Recipients will be expected to register for the Institute (information and applications available here for 2017, and will be available in January 2018 for summer 2018). The Science Institute is a week-long science experience for teachers. Teachers will work with college science and education faculty on a variety of science and math lessons that will transfer easily into the classroom setting. Participants of the Institute will receive a stipend and re-certification points. If you receive a grant you must attend and do a presentation of your grant work. The participating teacher’s principal or head of school must submit a letter of support for the project proposal.
The grants will be payable in one installment to the school of the awardee. A special account must be set up for these funds, and this account is to be administered solely by the Project Director named in the proposal. The Lead Teacher on the project must attest to the fact that, to the best of his or her knowledge, he/she will remain at the same school during the implementation year of the project.
There are two due dates for proposals: March 1, 2017, and August 15, 2017 (11:59 pm). We will award approximately four proposals within 10 days of each date. Proposals submitted March 1 can be for spring 2017 or the following school year (you must state which). If not awarded at that time, you may re-submit for re-consideration in August. You may submit as many as two grant applications, one for spring 2017, and one for the following school year, and both applications may be submitted March 1 or one may be submitted August 15. You may not combine two applications into one $2000 application – each application is limited to $1000. Applicants must submit an application (link below) that includes:
- the teacher(s) name(s),
- grade level and school,
- title of the project,
- paragraph describing the project,
- related Virginia science SOL,
- time frame for implementation,
- number of students to be served, and
- a detailed budget.
Grant proposals should demonstrate creativity, involve risk-taking, possess a visionary quality, and model a novel way of presenting science. Proposed projects should promote exciting and innovative activities to motivate students in science. Proposals may include but are not restricted to:
- innovative instructional strategies
- involvement with the community and/or industry
- collaborative programs among students and teachers
- involvement of at-risk or minority students
- multidisciplinary or interdepartmental participation
- in-class or extracurricular activities
- solution of a local community problem
In addition, your application will be judged on the following criteria:
- Goals and objectives are clearly stated.
- Project directly involves students.
- Correlation to the Virginia Standards
- Budget is reasonable, appropriate, and specific equipment costs are identified with vendor quotes.
Application in PDF format
(You may type your name in the PDF application as a signature if you are sending it in electronically)
Program Sponsored by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia