Image by U.S. Army RDECOM, Flickr
Science needs funding to advance beyond the hypothetical stages, and STEM education is the same. Applying for grants can give your school access to materials and equipment that would be unavailable due to district budgeting, and provide your classrooms with a more productive environment for learning. Science grants are important for inspiring and getting kids involved. Here are some of the best options your school should apply for.
GE Foundation: Grants for Science Education
The GE Foundation has granted awards to global educational institutions since the 1980s. Though rather choosy about worthy grantees, GE often provides money to schools and nonprofit organizations for the betterment of science. Grants typically come from the Developing Futures in Education program, focusing on school districts with GE-related business. The amount of money is substantial: $15-35 million, so entire districts can improve curriculum and professional development.
National Institute of Health
AP STEM students are a perfect match for this one. More mature students with inquiring minds can pitch a research proposal that focuses on the medical or health sciences to NIH, which has grant and funding opportunities available. The proposal can be for anything that would advance worldwide health. For example, Hudson Robotics partnered with John Hopkins University in 2014 to bring advanced robotics (the Zebrafish HTS system) into the laboratory. The NIH gifted a sizable grant to furnish the study and improved production with laboratory automation.
Captain Planet Foundation
This grant focuses on environmental sciences and education. The project your school proposes should deal with social interaction and the development of problem solving skills in conjunction with saving the Earth. Grants range from $500 to $2,500, so if the school is looking to build a self-sustainable garden, the Captain Planet Foundation might be able to help.
The GLOBE Program
Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment was formed through a partnership of national governmental agencies. The program has many advantages. First, the GLOBE Program seeks to bring education to students and teachers by giving schools equipment to do soil samples, atmospheric readings, and phenology. Teachers get free training at GLOBE workshops, videos, and continuous access to online materials. Though it’s not exactly money, not having to purchase STEM equipment means huge savings.
Toshiba American Foundation
Is your school lacking in the innovation department? A TAF grant can be applied for online and helps US-based schools K-12. K-5 grade teachers can receive up to $1,000 from Toshiba to bring hands-on projects into the classroom that will teach students more about math and science. There is also the 6-12 grant that gives up to $5,000. You may request equipment, like computers and microscopes, or go further and ask for custom projects.
Grants can change the entire classroom. No matter the size of the grant, every school can broaden the future for both students and teachers by acquiring money and supplies that are essential for personal and community growth.
This article was contributed by guest author Brooke Chaplan.