Podcast Series: Innovations in Education

Explore the full series of eSchool News podcasts hosted by Kevin Hogan—created to keep you on the cutting edge of innovations in education.

7 grants for STEM and technology

School leaders consistently identify high costs and shrinking budgets as a top barrier to implementing new technology tools and programs.

And while budget woes won’t improve overnight, schools and districts can boost their available funds with grants that are targeted to different areas of need.

Want to support science teachers or encourage engineering? Do you need to promote STEM learning opportunities? Or maybe you want to extend opportunities for partnerships between K-12 and the science community.…Read More

Back-to-school GoFundMe promotion gives every classroom a $50 bonus

In addition to the tissues and graphing calculators on most school supplies lists, teachers might consider something new — a small cash donation. For its relatively-new back-to-school promotion, crowdfund site GoFundMe is gifting a $50 donation to classrooms that raise at least $250 from five different donors.

The campaign that raises the most money will also win a $10,000 prize for their school.

To be eligible for the $50 donation, classrooms must create their campaign using this link between Aug. 17 and Sept 16 (and with the hashtag #GFMtoSchool embedded in the description). Additional details are available on the contest page.…Read More

14 sites to successfully crowdfund your classroom

A closer look at today’s biggest crowdfunding sites for K-12 and beyond

Crowdfunding, which harnesses the “crowd” to gain needed funding for a product or cause instead of specialized donors, and often enlists the use of social media to increase the so-called virality of a project to make it more successful, is unique for education. In the scope of classroom or school crowdfunding, most donations go to a specific fund or cause, and because the money goes to supporting a larger nonprofit organization, donations may be tax-deductible.

Also, because of the nature of crowdfunding for K-12, its structure typically varies slightly from the usual crowdfunding campaign. Where a product-based campaign might offer the donor first release of the product upon production, most school or classroom projects do not have the same type of tangible product — at least not ones that the community can share. For that reason, these types of crowdfunding campaigns typically offer giving levels or project-specific perks to incentivize donors. Levels usually explain what the specific donation amount will do to help the project, whereas perks will offer individual recognition to the donor for their support to the cause. Sometimes it’s as simple as a handwritten thank you note.

According to marketing blog HubSpot, all institutions should look for these three characteristics in a crowdfunding site before moving forward:…Read More

5 grants to make a big difference at your school

Funding opportunities for any classroom

Whether your school is beefing up STEM programs, focused on improving literacy, or just looking to add a little more technology to classrooms a little grant funding can go a long way. We’ve gathered a list of grant and funding opportunities that any school — regarldess of geographic location — can apply for, as well as deadline and funding amount information.

Voya Unsung Heroes
Unsung Heroes Began In 1995 as way for Voya to demonstrate its commitment to the education community. Grants are given to K-12 educators utilizing new teaching methods and techniques that improve learning. Each year, educators submit applications for a Voya Unsung Heroes Grant by describing projects they have initiated or would like to pursue. Each project is judged on its: Innovative method, creativity, ability to positively influence the students.
Funding amount: $2,000 & up
Deadline: April 30

Karma for Cara Community Service Youth Microgrant Program
As part of our efforts to support youth volunteerism, we started a microgrant program in fall 2014. We are encouraging kids 18 and under to apply for funds between $250 and $1,000 to complete service projects in their communities. Whether it is turning a vacant lot into a community garden, rebuilding a school playground or helping senior citizens get their homes ready for winter, we want to hear what project you’re passionate about.
Funding amount: $250 – $1,000
Deadline: Rolling…Read More

Dept. of Ed launches makerspace design challenge with $200,000 in prizes

White House competition is giving schools the chance to design and realize the perfect makerspace

A new Department of Education-sponsored challenge is letting high school students design the makerspace of their dreams — with $200,000 going to as many as 10 winning schools to help turn their plans into reality.

The competition, called the Career Technical Education (CTE) Makeover Challenge, was recently announced by Acting Education Secretary John B. King Jr, as he called for the re-authorization of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, which provides more than $1.1 billion for career and technical education programs in grades 7-12 and in post-secondary institutions.

For the challenge, entrants must sketch out their ideal makerspace and make it work within existing space already available. Successful makerspaces will focus not only on the tools (there are no requirements for specific pieces of technology) but on the process of manufacturing, testing, and demonstrating ideas. Part of the challenge will be turning traditional school spaces, such as libraries or classroom, into modern makerspaces, which can be shared by students and staff alike. Students will also need to consider how their model can be scaled and replicated by other schools.…Read More

5 school and educator grants for the new year

Funding for technology, training, and more

As we enter the new year, check out these funding opportunities for teachers, students, and administrators — many revolving around strengthening relevant 21st century skills, such as collaboration and innovation.

InvenTeam Initiative
The Lemelson-MIT InvenTeam initiative offers an opportunity for high school students to cultivate their creativity and experience invention. InvenTeam students rely on inquiry and hands-on problem solving as they integrate lessons from science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to develop invention prototypes. Interactive, self-directed learning coupled with STEM curricula are essential for experiencing invention.
Funding amount: up to $10,000
Deadline: Feb. 19, 2016

NEA Foundation Learning and Leadership Grants
Our Learning & Leadership Grants support public school teachers, public education support professionals, and/or faculty and staff in public institutions of higher education for one of the following two purposes: Grants to individuals fund participation in high-quality professional development experiences, such as summer institutes, conferences, or action research; and grants to groups fund collegial study, including study groups, action research, lesson plan development, or mentoring experiences for faculty or staff.
Funding amount: $2-$5k
Deadline: Feb. 16, 2016…Read More

Vernier opens 2016 engineering contest

Three STEM teachers will each win $5,500 in prizes for creatively using Vernier sensors to introduce students to engineering concepts and practices

engineering-grantVernier Software & Technology is now accepting applications for its 2016 Engineering Contest that recognizes engineering, science, and STEM teachers for their creative use of Vernier sensors to teach students engineering concepts and practices.

Three winning teachers — one middle school teacher, one high school teacher, and one college instructor — will each receive prizes valued at $5,500.

Applications for the contest are due by January 15, 2016, and winners will be announced on March 5, 2016 on the Vernier website and Facebook page.…Read More

New grant will provide active learning spaces to schools

Steelcase Education grant leverages classroom space to implement new teaching practices

active-learningSteelcase Education on Dec. 1 launched the second annual Active Learning Center (ALC) Grant, a program to provide active learning spaces to schools across North America. Applications are being accepted online through February 12, 2016.

The ALC grant program leverages classroom space to implement new teaching practices, centering on student focus and collaboration. Up to 15 grant recipients will have the opportunity to install one of four learning environments featuring Steelcase Education’s state-of-the-art furniture and technology.

“Research has shown that active learning environments positively impact student engagement,” said Sean Corcorran, General Manager of Steelcase Education. “Our 2015 grant recipients have already seen improvements in student focus, and we are eager to partner with more educators who are committed to providing inspiring environments in order to enhance student learning.”…Read More

5 useful science and technology grants for schools

These science and technology grants for schools can provide new opportunities

grants-technologyAs STEM programs blossom and the Next Generation Science Standards work their way into more classrooms, extra funding can only help. Each month, eSchool News compiles a list of new education grant opportunities. This month’s grants focus on science and technology grants for schools. We list grants for tech-savvy teachers, STEM programs on the rise, and mini grants to explore innovation.

Classroom Improvement Technology grant
Ten classrooms will receive a tech package of about $3,600 each, which includes response clickers, a tablet for annotating on a whiteboard, an assessment program, ExamView, along with cloud-based software that links ExamView to various other pieces of classroom technology.
Funding amount: $3,600
Deadline: Oct. 30

Toshiba Grants For Grades 6 – 12
Wanted: Classroom Innovators! Toshiba America Foundation accepts applications from teachers who are passionate about making science and mathematics more engaging for their students. Many successful grantees have designed projects that tap into the natural curiosity of their students, enable students to frame their own scientific questions, and incorporate the expertise of community partners.
Funding amount: $5,000
Deadline: Feb. 1…Read More

New grant program to award classrooms with assessment tech packages

Ten classrooms will win following short grant application

grant-turningTurning Technologies is giving away $36,000 of its own technology to schools that take part in a new funding application, called the Classroom Improvement Technology grant.

Ten classrooms will receive a tech package of about $3,600 each, which includes response clickers, a tablet for annotating on a whiteboard, an assessment program, ExamView, along with cloud-based software that links ExamView to various other pieces of classroom technology.

The grant application itself consists of five open-ended questions asking educators to tell their story: What their technology needs are like, how assessment tools would impact the class, and what kinds of results they expect to see in the classroom. Each question requires a detailed response but answers are capped at 300 words.…Read More