Support for Science and Technology Educators in the Classroom
Teachers are often looking for ways to make science education more interesting to students. There are numerous grants and programs available to help educators in their quest to bring science to life.
Below are a few grants, programs, and awards available to teachers:
SeaWorld/Busch Gardens Environmental Excellence Awards
The Anheuser-Busch Adventure Parks have recognized the outstanding efforts of K-12 students and teachers across the country who are working at the grassroots level to protect and preserve the environment. The “SeaWorld/Busch Gardens Environmental Excellence Awards” provides school and community groups with a monetary award, national recognition and some well-deserved fun at one of their parks. Eight winning groups are selected each year to win $10,000. One environmental educator/leader each year receives $5,000.
Phone: 1-877-792-4332
Email: swfask-shamu@seaworld.com
Web: www.seaworld.org/conservation-matters
Institute of International Education
The Toyota International Teacher Programs are fully-funded international professional development opportunities for educators. Funded by Toyota Motor Sales, Inc. U.S.A., the Programs aim to advance a commitment to environmental stewardship and a sense of global connectedness in U.S. schools and communities through the teaching of interdisciplinary, solution-centered approaches to environmental issues.
Email: toyotateach@iie.org.
Phone: 1-877-832-2457
Web: http://www.iie.org/programs/toyota/programs.html
Lowe’s Toolbox for Education
Lowes has taken an active role in supporting educators to bring science to life.
Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation, International Paper and National Geographic Explorer! classroom magazine have partnered to create an outdoor classroom grant program to provide schools with additional resources to improve their science curriculum by engaging students in hands-on experiences outside the traditional classroom. All K-12 public schools in the United States are welcome to apply.
Web: http://www.toolboxforeducation.com/
Email: info@toolboxforeducation.com
Images: Northside Elementary School, Waterboro, SC
K-12 HP Technology for Teaching
The K-12 HP Technology for Teaching grant initiative supports innovative and effective uses of technology in the classroom setting. School teams consisting of five teachers receive equipment, professional development and support they need to effectively integrate technology into their classroom instruction. Extra consideration will be given to schools that serve a large number of low-income students, relative to district or state free and reduced price lunch percentages, and to projects that included integration of mathematics and/or science curriculum.
Web: www.hp.com/hpinfo/grants/
Contact form: http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/grants/us/programs/tech_teaching/feedbackform.html
Toyota Tapestry Grants
More than 70 Toyota TAPESTRY grants are offered to K-12 science teachers.
Toyota Motor Sales Inc. and the National Science Teachers Association offer a minimum of 70 Toyota TAPESTRY Grants for K-12 science teachers to implement innovative student projects in environmental or physical sciences or in literacy and science. Fifty grants are worth up to $10,000 each; winners receive an expenses-paid trip to the NSTA national convention. At least 20 mini-grants of $2,500 each are also awarded.
Web: www.nsta.org/pd/tapestry/
Email: tapestry@nsta.org
Phone: 703.243.7100
Reinventing Education
IBM is working with school partners throughout the world to develop and implement innovative technology solutions designed to solve some of education’s toughest problems. To each grant site, IBM dedicates our world-renowned researchers, educational consultants, and technology. Reinventing Education also includes an interactive Web-based Change Toolkit which is designed to help school leaders expand and sustain their education reform efforts.
Phone:1-800-IBM-4YOU
Web: www.ibm.com/ibm/ibmgives/grant/education/
Contact form: www.ibm.com/scripts/contact/contact/us/en
Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy
The Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academies offer a five-day program, with camps in New Jersey, Texas and Louisiana, designed to provide third- through fifth-grade teachers with the knowledge and skills necessary to motivate students to pursue careers in science and math.
Web: www.sendmyteacher.com; mickelson.nsta.org/default.aspx
Email: Joe Sciulli, jsciulli@nsta.org
3M Foundation Awards 3M Ingenuity Grants to Teachers
Teachers receive up to $3,500 each for professional development and supporting materials for their new ideas on engaging student interest in science, math and economics. Totaling $232,500, these grants will reach 669 classrooms in 13 states.
Web: www.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/CommunityAffairs/CommunityGiving/US/K12/Grants/
Phone: 1-888-364-3577
Contact form: www.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/WW/Country/Corp/Contact/
Microsoft Unlimited Potential-Community Technology Skills Program
The Microsoft Unlimited Potential-Community Technology Skills Program promotes workforce development and IT skills training programs in underserved communities. Microsoft provides cash grants, software, and specialized curriculum to nonprofit community technology centers (CTCs) around the world.
Find a local contact www.microsoft.com/About/CorporateCitizenship/US/CommunityInvestment/LocalContacts.mspx
Web: www.microsoft.com/About/CorporateCitizenship/US/CommunityInvestment/CommunityTechSkills.mspx
Bernard Harris Summer Camps
The 2009 ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Summer Science Camps are two-week residential camps, open to more than 1,200 middle school students, offer innovative programs to enhance their knowledge in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), while encouraging youth to stay in school and fostering leadership and citizenship. With the exception of the University of Houston and the University of New Orleans, which will host two camps, each university will host one camp for a combined total of 25 camps.
Web: www.theharrisfoundation.org
Phone: (713) 877-1731
Email: info@theharrisfoundation.org
Shell Science Teaching Award
This $10,000 award recognizes one outstanding classroom science teacher (K-12) who has had a positive impact on his or her students, school, and community through exemplary classroom science teaching.
Web: www.nsta.org/shell
Email: awards@nsta.org.
Phone: 703.243.7100