MEEC STEM Grants and Upcoming Activities in the High Desert!

Thanks to Samantha Murray for these items:

MEEC Grant-writing Workshop 9/24/15 in Victorville:

Join MEEC on September 24, 2015 for a FREE two-hour workshop spotlighting MEEC funding opportunities available to High Desert teachers!  During the workshop, teachers will have the opportunity to review MEEC’s grant application processes and walk away knowing the requirements for each of MEEC’s available funding sources.   Participants will  view sample applications for each program and have their application questions answered for the following grant opportunities:
EnviroBus Bucks Transportation Grants, School Garden Grants, EE Mini Grants, YELC and STEM Service-Learning Grants.

WHEN:  September 24, 2015
TIME: 4:30 PM-6:30 PM
WHERE:  Mojave Desert AQMD Offices, 14306 Park Ave., Victorville, CA 92392

Seating is limited, so early registration is recommended.  To reserve your space today, contact MEEC Program Specialist, Samantha Murray at (760) 245-1661 ext. 6717 or email: smurray@mdaqmd.ca.gov.  Registration Deadline is September 16, 2015.  For more info, visit:  MEEC Grant Workshop.


Energy from the Sun Teacher Workshop 10/1/15 in Palmdale:

Thanks to a generous grant from The Boeing Company, MEEC’s “Energy From the Sun”  teacher workshops will  equip educators with the tools to enable their students to conduct scientific research utilizing solar energy, draw conclusions, and develop critical thinking skills while learning how to reach logical conclusions and solutions about our future energy usage.

Each participating teacher will receive a kit that contains a Solar Oven, Solar Panel Kit, UV beads PLUS standards-based curriculum from the National Environmental Education Development Program (NEED).  NEED curriculum includes four levels: Primary, Elementary, Intermediate, and Secondary.  The NEED Project curriculum includes Teachers’ Guides and Student Lab Books for hands-on activities as well as a variety of resources to learn about renewable energy and their applications. Student Lab Book activities are designed for group learning, which promotes interaction among students. NEED's   K-12 curriculum helps schools meet the Common Core State Standards, develops student leadership, and brings the latest technology into the classroom.  Each kit is valued at over $200!!

When and where:  October 1, 2015, 4:00-6:00pm - AVUHSD Palmdale Conference Center, 1156 East Ave S, Palmdale, CA 93550.  RSVP by September 23, 2015 (currently full, but waitlist being taken); for details visit:  Energy from the Sun Workshop

Youth Environmental Leadership Conference 10/24/15 in the Victor Valley area: 

 Once again, the event will feature the "STEMFest" in addition to 3 workshops that the teams will rotate through. "STEMFest" is an opportunity for teams to rotate through the arena engaging with experts, mentors and other exhibitors to learn more about STEM environmental careers and projects while having fun with hands-on activities. Topics will focus on "green" themes such as water conservation, solar oven construction, robotics, composting, and school garden projects. The "technical" activities will be with the exhibitors in STEMFest, which provides a well-balanced program with something for everyone.  Attendees will hear a motivational address from Garner Holt, President and founder of Garner Holt Productions, Inc., an international design and manufacturing company that creates animatronics and special effects for theme parks, museums, shopping malls and restaurants.

Lunch, snacks, re-usable water bottles, YELC T-Shirts, and all conference materials are provided free of charge. Additionally, teams participating in YELC are eligible to apply for a project grant up to $250 to implement or further their environmental service learning project! By applying for and accepting these grant funds, you also agree to come back and participate with your team in the follow-up Spring 2016 YELC Showcase to share your project (regardless of what stage it's in) with other teams.  Transportation Reimbursement funds may be available upon request (if applicable) for participating teams in the Antelope Valley.

Teams of two to eight students, in grades 3 through 12, along with an attending teacher/advisor, from schools throughout the Mojave and High Desert, are invited to take part in this unique and FREE Conference.  Have parents complete the necessary participation forms and return them to MEEC by the October 5, 2015 Deadline.   Applications and transportation grants will be available online at: MEEC YELC 2016.

Environmental Education Mini-Grant Applications Due 10/30/15:

For a limited time, MEEC is accepting applications for environmental education school project and material mini-grants.   Recipients will be notified in early November and grants will be awarded by November 30th. Projects must be implemented/materials must be used in classrooms located in the High Desert portion of San Bernardino County, the Antelope Valley or the Palo Verde Valley of Riverside County.  Applicants must also teach within these jurisdictions.

Funded projects must be completed/purchased by June 18, 2016.  Average grant amount will vary from $100 to $500, but may be higher.  Individual award amounts to be determined by MEEC. Only one grant will be awarded per teacher per school year.

Application deadline is 5:00 PM October 30, 2015.  The EE Mini Grant Application is attached and can also be downloaded from MEEC’s website at MEEC EE Mini-Grants.   Completed applications may be mailed to MEEC/EE Mini Grants, 14306 Park Avenue, Victorville, CA 92392 or faxed to (760) 241-6271. For questions, contact Christie Robinson at (760) 245-1661 ext. 6101.

"A Garden in Every School" Grant Applications Due by 10/30/15:

Through the generous support of MEEC’s  sponsors and a special grant from MEEC partner Alliance for Water Awareness and Conservation (AWAC), schools may apply for a grant to provide them with the basic tools necessary to start or sustain a school garden.  This grant opportunity is now open to schools in the Antelope Valley.

Interested teachers must submit a completed application form that includes the proposed project, desired materials , a budget cost breakout based on the actual material costs, including shipping and handling, if applicable (labor costs are not eligible for funding)  and how the project will address educational standards.  Recipients will be notified in early November and grants will be awarded by November 30th.  Grant Applications are attached and also available on MEEC’s website at MEEC School Garden Grants .

The maximum grant amount is $500.00. Individual award amounts will be determined by MEEC. Only one grant will be awarded per school per school year. To date, MEEC has awarded school garden grants to 29 schools in the High Desert.  The application deadline is 5:00 PM October 30, 2015. Completed applications may be mailed to MEEC/School Garden Program, 14306 Park Avenue, Victorville, CA 92392 or faxed to (760) 241-6271. For questions, contact MEEC Program Specialist Samantha Murray at (760) 245-1661 ext. 6717. 

YELC STEM Service Learning Conference Set for 10/5/13

MEEC's annual fall Youth Environmental Leadership STEM Service Learning Conference will be held on 5 October 2013 at Granite Hills HS in Apple Valley, CA.  Not only is this premier STEM service learning event free for school teams to attend, but also there are transportation stipends and STEM service learning project grant applications available.  Applications to attend are due by no later than 5 September 2013.  School teams, including 3-5 students and a teacher advisor, may include students from the elementary, middle, and high school levels.  Registration is due by no later than 5 September 2013.  Teams which attend will also participate in a spring 2014 event.  For more information and to register, see YELC STEM Service Learning Conference 2013.

What Causes Students to Leave STEM Majors?

Colorado University-Boulder is partnering with the University of Wisconsin-Madison in a $4.3 million National Science Foundation and Alfred P. Sloan Foundation grant to study why college students leave STEM majors.  One hypothesis of the study, as a follow-up to  decades-old research, is that traditional "stand-and-deliver" lectures are one reason students switch out of STEM majors at a rate of nearly 40-60%.  One  effort at the new CU Center for STEM Learning is a hands-on design lab where first-year engineering students are "channeling their inner DaVincis" to apply theory learned in physics and calculus classes to projects such as creating a Mario-Karts type video game powered by bicycles to combine exercise and gaming.  http://www.dailycamera.com/cu-news/ci_22692842/cu-boulder-study-what-causes-students-leave-stem  In a similar vein, see this story about the increase of engineering master's degree students at a number of universities due to more experiential learning.  http://www.usnews.com/education/best-graduate-schools/articles/2013/03/14/revamped-engineering-programs-emphasize-real-world-problem-solving

NASA Teacher Activities Available - Apply Now

1.  SETI's Astrobiology Summer Science Experiment for Teachers (ASSET) - science and curriculum institute for high school science teachers will be held 29 July through 3 August in San Franciso.  Presentations will be made by astrobiologists from SETI, NASA, and the California Academy of the Sciences, and participants will receive the Voyages Through Time curriculum.  All expenses are paid through grant funding; three graduate units of credit are available for a fee. 

Applications are due by 30 April 2013; to get more information and to apply, visit NASA/SETI ASSET .

2.  SOFIA Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors (AAA) Cycle 2 science flight applications are due by no later than 3 May 2013.  " Two member educator teams must have at least one grade 6 - 12 science teacher. The second team member may also be a math, science or technology teacher at elementary or secondary level, a community college instructor, or an informal educator."  Flights will take place between January through December 2014, and will generally be during the school year.  For more information and to apply, go to SOFIA Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors

For a list of other teacher opportunities currently available, visit:  http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/current-opps-index.html

AIAA Classroom Grant Applications Due by 2/23/13

The Antelope Valley chapter of the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics) has announced its annual classroom grant for K-12 science and math; two $400 awards are available for use in classrooms for STEM-related projects or instruction.  Proposals, must include the name, contact information, and AIAA member number of the K-12 instructor (educator associate memberships are free - http://www.aiaa.org/Secondary.aspx?id=253 ), school name, address, and grade level of the classroom, a brief description of the proposed project, how it will prepare students for STEM careers, expected costs, brief statement from at least 2 students in the class of what they expect to learn and why it is important, and how local AIAA professional members could support the project.  Winning projects should be completed by the end of the 2012-2013 academic year, accompanied by a final write-up and photos; up to $400 of direct material expenses will be reimbursed.

Proposals, in Word or pdf format, must be e-mailed to educationoutreach.aiaa.av@gmail.com by no later than 9:00pm on 23 February 2013. 

Google Awards $5M to Increase Under-Represented Student Participation in AP STEM Courses

Erik Robelen reports in the Education Week "Curriculum Matters" blog that Google has donated $5 million to the College Board and DonorsChoose.org to work with 800 high schools to be chosen to increase female and ethnic minority students' participation in AP STEM courses.  They will work directly with teachers to get the schools qualified and to obtain the materials and equipment necessary to launch the courses.  The schools will be chosen based upon target student populations and their performance on the PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.  One of the other Google Global Impact Awards granted will also provide $1.8 million to Equal Opportunity Schools to help qualified students to move on to more advanced coursework.  Education Week Curriculum Matters - AP STEM Courses .

NOAA Climate Steward Applications Due 12/17/12

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has announced an opportunity for educators to participate in the Climate Stewards Education Project.  Applications are due by no later than Monday, 17 December 2012.  Participants will take part in 15 hours of professional development in climate science and education the first year and 9 hours for each additional year of participation, take part in after-hours webinars and regional events, develop and implement a local climate stewardship project, and share activities and reflections on the CSEP wiki.  After completing the activities and evaluation, participants will be eligible for mini-grants and stipends to participate in conferences and activities.  For more information and to apply, visit NOAA Climate Stewards Education Project Application .

Grants to Foster STEM Learning

The National Commission on Teaching and America's Future has received a $95,000 grant from the Boeing Corporation to implement its "STEM Learning Studios" initiative in targeted Maryland school districts.  The STEM Learning Studios partner local scientists and engineers with inter-disciplinary teams of teachers on a campus who work together on a year-long investigative project involving a real-world problem with an aim to reach a solution.  A summit was held on 15 November with Boeing, Northrop Grumman, and education officials to engage more industry representatives in the initiative.  http://nctaf.org/featured-home/nctaf-receives-grant-from-boeing-to-implement-innovative-stem-teaching-initiative/

The US Department of Education recently announced the finalists in the 2012 Investing in Innovation (I3) grant competition.  Included among the top contenders are two STEM initiatives, both involving Project Lead the Way.  One is proposed by LEED Sacramento, and the other by Clark County Schools.  http://www2.ed.gov/programs/innovation/2012/applications.html  The final awards are expected to be announced by 31 December 2012.

Samsung "Solve for Tomorrow" Technology Grant Applications Due by 10/31/12

Samsung Corporation is offering public schools in grades 6-12 the opportunity to win a technology package ranging from $40,000 to $110,000 for explaining how STEM can benefit their community and allow students to solve real-world problems.  Applications are due by 31 October 2012.  For more information about the "Solve for Tomorrow" grant and to apply, visit http://pages.samsung.com/us/sft/home.html

MEEC Environmental Education Mini-Grant Applications Due by 10/31/12

Mojave Environmental Education Consortium is offering educators mini-grants of approximately $100 to $500 to fund environmental education projects in their classroom.  Projects must be purchased and completed prior to 18 June 2013.  Applications are due by no later than 31 October 2012.  For more information on eligibility requirements and the application/proposal process, visit http://www.meeconline.com/need-for-an-ee-project/ .

Raytheon's "MathMovesU" Site Provides Resources

Raytheon's "MathMovesU" site, primarily targeted at the middle school age bracket, has math games, worksheets, and other classroom resources, as well as student scholarship and teacher grant applications.  It also provides links to other initiatives.  Visit at MathMovesU .

Google RISE Award Applications Due 9/30/12

The Google RISE (Roots in Science and Engineering) Award applications are now available and are due by no later than 30 September 2012.  Designed to inspire increased K-12 and university participation in STEM and/or computer science, the awards range from $5,000 to $25,000.  For further information on eligibility requirements and the application, visit http://www.google.com/edu/rise/index.html .

STEM Master Teacher Corps On the Horizon

Jason Koebler reported in the US News and World Report that The White House announced the availability of a grant opportunity in mid-July as part of the Teacher Incentive Fund application for districts to create a STEM Master Teacher Corps.  Among other requirements, the grant provided that teachers, who could receive up to $20,000 annual compensation over four years, have to teach in designated high-need schools; the district would be required to change teacher compensation and evaluation systems district-wide, and determine new teacher recruitment and retention strategies.  http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2012/07/18/white-house-announces-1-billion-master-teacher-program

Project Learning Tree Offers GreenWorks Grants - Applications Due by 9/30/12

Any teacher who is Project Learning Tree trained is eligible to apply for a grant from GreenWorks to implement environmentally-related service learning projects in their schools and communities.  Awards are offered in two categories:

1. up to $1,000;
2. up to $3,000 for Project Learning Tree registered GreenSchools.

For more information about eligibility requirements, to obtain a guidebook, and to apply for a grant, visit http://www.greenworks.org/ at the "Apply for a Grant" tab.  Applications are due by no later than 30 September 2012.

Two California Teachers Among Presidential Honorees

Teachers Dean Baird from Sacramento and Kentaro Iwasaki from San Francisco are among 97 teachers recently honored with the prestigious 2011 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.  The awardees were invited to participate in week-long activities in Washington, DC, including a visit to the White House with the Vice President and Dr. Jill Biden, meetings with Education Secretary Arne Duncan and NSF Deputy Director Cora Marrett.  In addition to the trip and a presidential certificate, the recipients are given a $10,000 NSF grant.  Nominations are reviewed by at state and national levels by outstanding scientists, mathematicians, and educators; awardees rotate annually among primary and secondary educators.  http://nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=124712&org=NSF&from=news

2012 YELC STEM Service Learning Conferences Scheduled for Fall 2012

MEEC's 2012 Youth Environmental Leadership STEM Service Learning Conferences have been scheduled for the California High Desert:  8 September 2012 at Granite Hills High School in the Victor Valley region; and 22 September 2012 at Discovery School in the Antelope Valley region.  Joel Greene from "Curiosity Quest" will be the keynote speaker for both events. 

The registration deadline for teams to participate is 15 August 2012; applications and further information are available at http://www.meeconline.com/students/yelc/ .

Limited transportation funds are available; teams may receive up to $250 grants to implement their service learning projects.  For more information, contact Christie Robinson of MEEC at (760) 245-1661 ext. 6717 or christier@mdaqmd.ca.gov .

AFA Offers K-12 Teacher Grants for Aerospace Education Projects

The Air Force Association is offering K-12 teacher grants of up to $250 for aerospace education projects.  The application period is open from 1 July to 18 October 2012 (4:00pm PST).  Grants may be used for such items as science or technology supplies, materials or software.  No more than two teachers per school may apply for the grant, with one request per teacher maximum, and repeat awards are not allowed.  For more information and to register for the ten-question application, visit www.afa.org/aef/aid/educator.asp .

TI Foundation Provides Grant to Create "STEM District"

The TI (Texas Instruments) Foundation and Educate Texas have provided up to $4.8 million in grant funding to the Lancaster Independent School District in North Texas to scale-up their STEM education efforts district-wide.  The goal is to provide comprehensive STEM education throughout all of the schools, which could then be replicated in other districts state-wide.  The efforts will focus on "Awareness at the elementary level, Exposure and Engagement at the middle school level and will lead to Experience and Articulation at the high school level."  It will also provide professional development for teachers, as well as for the design and implementation of high-quality, rigorous curricula using innovative strategies, partnering with higher education, resulting in choices for students and workforce development for local employers.  http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/texas-instruments-foundation-educate-texas-and-lancaster-isd-partner-to-create-a-stem-district-143649966.html

Investing in Innovation Grants Now Available For Application

The US Department of Education has announced that the latest round of Investing in Innovation (i3) grants are available for the application process by local education agencies and non-profits in partnerships with local education agencies.  A Notice of Intent to apply is due by no later than 15 March 2012, and the simplified pre-application is due by no later than 9 April 2012.  The grant (funding up to $150 million total) includes categories for development (awards up to $3 million), validation (awards up to $15 million) , and scale-up (awards up to $25million), of innovative practices.  The grant proposals must address one of five absolute (mandatory) priorities, one of which involves STEM education, and one of five competitive priorities.

For more information and to access the forms, visit http://www2.ed.gov/programs/innovation/index.html.

Academy Aimed at Training Students to Fill Aerospace Manufacturing Positions

Hawthorne High School's Academy of Manufacturing and Engineering, located near Northrop Grumman, Boeing, and Raytheon, among others, in the LA South Bay, has received a $16,000 grant from the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) to obtain equipment to help train students in manufacturing and engineering skills needed by the employers and to begin an after-school program.  Students who are members of the academy, 85% of whom are considered at-risk, can work on a computerized machine in the metals shop and are enthusiastic about designing and creating new machines. 

Due to the greying work-force, there is concern that the next generation of skilled workers is not being prepared to enter these jobs.  South Bay manufacturer SpaceX currently has 200 open positions.  In addition to backing high-school programs, SME is funding a new reality show pilot called "Edge Factor."  http://www.scpr.org/programs/madeleine-brand/2012/02/16/22561/aerospace-manufacturing-jobs-are-here-skilled-work