Idaho National Laboratory

2016STEMMiniGrant Program Form

Submission Deadline: January 1, 2016

2016INL MiniGrantGuidelines

Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is pleased to announce that we are accepting applications to provide funding to a teacher/school to transform into a 21st Century Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) learning environment. The grant will support classroom instructional resources, materials, and laboratory equipment which is used to integrated the concepts of STEM across all disciplines. The grant will be awarded to a school rather than to an individual teacher, and the equipment will become and remain school property.

This is a competitive grant award. Entries will be judged on how well they address the following criteria:

  • The project is STEM based.
  • The project integrates STEM education applications across the curriculum.
  • The project goals and objectives are clearly stated and measurable.
  • The project directly involves students and supports a high level of student engagement in an innovative and novel way.
  • The project integrates best practices of 21st Century skill development, inquiry, problem-solving, and project-based learning.
  • The correlations to state CORE standards and the practices are defined.
  • The assessment and evaluation components address student achievement in STEM.
  • The proposal addresses STEM career development.
  • The proposal has overall creativity and innovation.
  • The budget is reasonable, appropriate, and specific equipment costs are identified with vendor quotes.
  • If technology is requested, the applicant must clearly identify how it will be integrated in unique and innovative ways that change the delivery methodology of classroom instruction, create authentic experiences for the students, and enhance student engagement.
  • Leveraged funding from other partners to support the grant are not required but valued. The applicant should listnames of other sponsoring, collaborating, and partnering organizations for this project as requested on the grant form.

Only one grant per teacher will be awarded. Teachers can apply and receive grants for consecutive years.

A grant application must include the completed application detailing all information requested, the signed terms and agreement sheet, and a letter from the building principal documenting support of the grant. Incomplete or late grant application packets will not be considered.

In order to be considered for a grant applications MUST be received via email in our office on or before January 1, 2016 on the new FY16 grant application. Fax or mailed copies will not be accepted.

*If grant funding is awarded, failure to submit a follow-up report by November 20, 2016, will disqualify a recipient for future INL grants.

Brenda Greenhalgh (208) 526-9399

Anne Seifert (208) 526-8027

TERMS AND AGREEMENT FORM

Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Mini-Grants and Classroom Makeover grants proudly support classroom projects focusing on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

More than 500 educators have received INL grants since the program began in 2005. The INL grant application process for the FY2016 school year is now open. INL is offering science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education grants of up to $500 for mini-grants and $5,000 for Classroom Makeover to K-12 educators. Completed Applications are due by January 1, 2016.

Who Can Apply?

  • Educators (Kindergarten through grade 12)
  • Public, private, and charter schools
  • Grant applicants must provide proof of being a 501C3 institution

What Kinds of Classroom Projects are considered?

Any creative, innovative and engaging classroom project that integrates science, technology, engineering, and mathematics will be considered. Projects that incorporate the following components are of the greatest interest:

  • The Project is STEM based.
  • Project integrates cross-curriculum STEM Education applications across all disciplines.
  • Goals and objectives are clearly stated and measurable.
  • Project directly involves students and supports student engagement.
  • Best practices of inquiry-based, problem-solving, project-based, and 21st Century learning skills are incorporated.
  • Correlation to State Core Standards and best practices across all disciplines.
  • Assessment and evaluation components/enhanced student learning in STEM education.
  • Addresses STEM career development.
  • Overall creativity.
  • Budget is reasonable, appropriate, and specific equipment costs are identified with vendor quotes.
  • Technology is integrated in unique, innovative, and authentic ways that change classroom instruction for better delivery and student engagement.

What is Not Supported by These Grants?

  • Supplies and materials that do not relate to STEM disciplines
  • Admission fees and stipends for conferences, workshops, and competitions
  • Transportation, incentives, meals and refreshments
  • Previously funded projects
  • Routine responsibilities of the educator submitting the proposal
  • Projects that require multiple academic years of completion
  • Technology not integrated into STEM instruction utilizing STEM categories

How Do I Apply?

  • Applications will be available on our website at beginning November, 2015. Applications must be submitted electronically and bear the applicant’s signature, as well as the signature of the school principal or teacher’s supervisor. Complete the 2016 form, and all fields must be filled. Please submit your completed application to If you have any questions regarding your grant application please contact Brenda at 208-526-9399

Notification of Awards

  • This is a competitive grant process. Grant awards will be recommended by a grant advisory board. Recipients will be notified in March 2016. Upon completion of the projects, recipients will be asked to provide a written summary with samples of class work and photographs.

I understand that the awarding of all grants and the amount of any grant shall be at the discretion of the INL grant committee. I further understand that, in the event I am awarded a grant for the project described here, INL shall have the right to use content from the grant or follow-up documents and photographs of my project to disseminate at will.The INL may publish any photographs that you provide as part of your submission. Your signature on this form grants permission for the INL to use any photographsor grant contentthat you provided for any and all purposes without any compensation to you or the subjects of the photographs.By submittingthese photographs and grant content,you represent and warrant that you have permission from the subjects of your photographs to have the photographs published, including parent or guardian permission for any minor children.You further represent and warrant that these photographsand grant contentare your own original work and/or that you have the right to submit these photographsand grant content,andgivethe rights to INL to use the photographsand the grant content.

SignatureDate

SignatureDate
Please type or print (single-sided; do not write on back all fields must be complete)

2016 STEM Mini Grant Program Application Information Form

Proposal cost (up to $500):

Teacher Name

(Only one grant will be accepted for each teacher and only one teacher should be listed on each grant)

Teacher School EmailTeacher Home Email

Project Title/Category

Course & Grade Level

School NameSchool Phone:

Complete Mailing School Address

Principal Name

Region (Circle One) 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 - NA) District County _____ State ______

YOUR SCHOOL MUST BE A 501C3. PLEASE PROVIDE TAX ID NUMBER_

PLEASE ATTACH YOUR SCHOOL TAX IRS W-9 FORM WITH YOUR APPLICATION.

Mini Grant Form is attached.

Letter from the building principal documenting support of the grant is attached.

School Tax IRS W-9 form is attached

Signed Terms and Agreement is attached

Budget for project is attached

*All fields must be completed in order to qualify for the grant. If ANY field is left incomplete or signatures are missing your grant will not be considered for donation.

Signature of TeacherDateSignature of PrincipalDate

E- Mail:

Applications MUST be received on or beforeJanuary 1, 2016.

No fax or mail copies accepted. Incomplete grant applications will not be considered.

Proposed Project

Proposed Project Theme

Grade Level and STEM Subjects

(Circle One)High SchoolMiddle SchoolElementary School Professional Technical Program

How many students will benefit from this grant Total:

How many teachers will benefit from this grant Total:

( ) Male ( ) Female ( ) Caucasian( ) Native American ( ) First Generation College

( ) African American ( ) Asian/Pacific Islander ( ) Hispanic ( ) Other

What is the student population of your schoolTotal:

( ) Male( ) Female ( ) Caucasian ( ) Native American

( ) African American ( ) Asian/Pacific Islander ( ) Hispanic ( ) Other

  • Project Summary

Briefly describe the reason for grant request. Justify the need for the transformation and provide supporting documentation on how it addresses integrated, cross-curriculum STEM education with application across all disciplines, student engagement, student learning, career development, 21st century learning skills, and project creativity. (Maximum of 500 words.)

  • STEM Goals and Objectives

How does your proposal relate to your school’s and/or district’ STEM goals and objectives? Explain how the goals and objectives correlate with the StateCore standards. (Maximum of 300 words.)

  • Briefly describe student connection

How will the materials and equipment be used to link to specific learning objectives and STEM career awareness? Include examples of best practices, teaching methods, instructional strategies, and assessment and evaluation practices that will be used. (Maximum of 500 words.)

  • Describe what the students will learn and how you will measure their learning
  • Describe how you will evaluate Project Effectiveness

How will you measure the overall effectiveness of this award including but not limited to student performance, student motivation, learning environment, teacher effectiveness, and school climate. Describe what the students will learn and how you will measure this learning. Describe what the students will learn and how you will measure their learning. (Maximum of 300 words.)

  • If Technology is requesteddescribe how it will be integrated in unique and innovative ways that change the delivery method of classroom instruction, create authentic experiences for the students and enhance student engagement.
  • Create Budget and provide justification

Provide an itemized list of equipment costs with vendor quotes and, if applicable, professional development related to equipment operation. Your budget should be reasonable, appropriate and specific. Materials, resources, and instructional tools should be for sustained rather than one-time use.

Item Supplier Estimated Cost Justification