STEM Mini-Grants
2024/2025 Application Cycle
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What is the STEM Mini-Grant Program?
The STEM Mini-Grant Program is to support educators in the teaching and learning of STEM in K-12 classrooms and out-of-school time programs. The emphasis is on stimulating new teaching ideas and new learning opportunities made possible through the creative spark of educators. An additional emphasis is placed on developing community outreach projects in which students and schools work with local business partners and community organizations to solve local problems and develop career awareness, exploration, or preparation.
Check out this map of the locations of schools who have received MiSTEM Mini-Grant Awards and their business/community partners!
Click on the pop-out symbol in the upper left to see the map key.
Application is Closed for 2024-2025
STEM Mini-Grant Cycle Information
Eligible Applicants
The program is open to all public school teachers and out-of-school time educators in Allegan, Kent, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, and Ottawa Counties, for grades K-12. Team projects from several educators working together with multiple groups of students are also accepted and encouraged.
Maximum amount your project could receive:
|
K-12 Teachers |
Maximum WITHOUT a business/community partner |
Maximum WITH a business/community partner |
|---|---|---|
|
1 Teacher |
$500 |
$1,000 |
|
2 Teachers |
$1,000 |
$1,500 |
|
3 Teachers |
$1,500 |
$2,000 |
|
4 or more teachers |
$2,000 |
$2,500 |
|
Out-of-School Educators |
Maximum WITHOUT a business/community partner |
Maximum WITH a business/community partner |
|---|---|---|
|
1 Teacher |
$300 |
$600 |
|
2 Teachers |
$600 |
$900 |
|
3 Teachers |
$900 |
$1,200 |
|
4 or more teachers |
$1,200 |
$1,500 |
Application Details
The 2024-2025 STEM Mini-Grant Cycle
Expenditures for program materials to enhance or extend a regular program or to create a new program are encouraged. If a pre-packaged kit is the major activity for your project, indicate how you would supplement the kit and customize it for your program. All purchases should be tax-exempt and sales tax will not be reimbursed.
Note: Stipends for work happening during the contracted time of employees of a school district or ISD/RESA are not an allowable expense under this STEM Mini-Grant program.
- The application deadline is November 18, 2024.
- Notification of awards will be made by December 18, 2024.
- Funds will be dispersed in late January or early February.
- Final reports are due by the end of the 24/25 academic year.
Criteria for Review
Applications will be reviewed by a team of regional stakeholders. Winners are determined on a county-wide competitive basis, with awards going to the top-ranked proposals. Priority will be given to proposals that:
- Increase equity of access to STEM fields for under-served groups
- Include a business/community partner
- Demonstrate a potential for positive impact on students and community
- Demonstrate an integrated/interdisciplinary/transdisciplinary approach to STEM education
- Includes a detailed budget and clear rationale for expenses
- Align to standards
- Adhere to proposal guidelines
- New applicants who have not already received funds from this program
For questions or technical assistance, contact Olga L. Kryger at [email protected].
2024-2025 Awardees
2024-2025 STEM MINI-GRANT CYCLE STATS
- 7 applications were awarded funds
- A total of $14,262.95 was awarded
- 2,896 K-12 students served!
2024-2025 GRANT CYCLE AWARDEES
|
County |
Teachers and Partners |
Project Name |
Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Kent |
Betsy Verwys, Brian Hendricks, Brandon Paradis, Nick Smith, and Tony Quinn Northview Next Career Center Partners: Amway, Copper Rock Construction, DeWys Manufacturing, Brigade Fire |
Exploring Careers in Manufacturing & Industry Through Robotics & VR |
$1,919.95 |
|
Kent |
Project Submission by: Stephanie McNitt Out-of-School: Kids' Food Basket Partners: This grant serves a total 50 schools and sites across all four counties, Kent, Muskegon, Ottawa, and Allegan |
Seed to STEM: Experiential Learning in the Garden with Compost and the 5 senses |
$3,665.00 |
|
Montcalm |
Christina Adamson Tri County Middle School Partner(s): Claire Copps |
Enhancing our Programming Skills with Edison |
$948.00 |
|
Muskegon |
Andria Yost, Brenda Robinson, and Kristen Sturgis Muskegon Montessori Academy for Environmental Change Partner(s): Fab Lab |
STEM |
$1,200.00 |
|
Newaygo |
Jim Barstow, Out-of-School Program: NC PEERS, Inc. |
NC GEARS 2024-25 FRC Robotics |
$4,000.00 |
|
Ottawa |
Avril Wiers, Ramya Swayamprakash (BCOIS Environmental Studies), Gina Johnson, Jesse Davenport, and Brooke Herr Careerline Tech Center Partners: Ottawa County Parks and Recreation, Ottawa Conservation District, and Outdoor Discovery Center |
A Bathymetric Study of Pigeon Lake |
$1,030.00 |
|
Ottawa |
Sara Alsum-Wassenaar, Black River Public School Partners: Windmill Island |
Manoomin Test Sites |
$1,500.00 |
Click on the links below to view past awardees and partner organizations:
Services provided through a MiSTEM grant awarded by the Michigan Department of Education.