STEM Mini-Grants
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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:
2022-2023 STEM Mini-Grant Cycle Stats
- 11 applications were awarded funds
- A total of $23567.41 was awarded
- 26 K-12 In-Service Teachers benefited
- 11 Informal Learning/Out-of-school Educators benefited
- 7239 K-12 students served!
2022-2023 Grant Cycle Awardees
|
County |
Teachers and Partners |
Project Name |
Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Allegan |
Lori Howell and Pat Velie Wayland Union Middle and High School Partners: Greater Federation of Women's Clubs - Gun Lake, Wayland Union Education Foundation |
Bee a Good Neighbor |
$1,000.00 |
|
Kent |
Darek Hawkins, Sabrina Beslagic, Peter Weise, Elizabeth Ernst, and Edwin Colburn Crossroads Alternative High School Partners: Kent ISD and Penchura, LLC
|
Designing a prototype of "playground" for high school students as the fun/recreational place |
$1,876.99 |
|
Kent |
Michelle Holliday, Matthew Evans, Joe Uzarski, and James Emperor GR Montessori Partner: John Ball Zoo |
GR Montessori & John Ball Zoo Habitat Hero Project |
$2,500.00 |
|
Kent |
Ranae Gavitt, Cindy Sheehan, Emma Colon, Kristen Accorsi, Cindy Savino, and Caity DeBoard Out-of-School: Kids' Food Basket Partners: Cardinal Elementary (Muskegon), West Elementary (Wyoming), Oriole Park Elementary (Wyoming), Hope Academy (Grand Rapids), and Jefferson Elementary School (Holland) |
STEM Supported Nutrition, Food Systems and Community Education for the Next Generation |
$4,500.00 |
|
Montcalm |
Christina Adamson Tri County Middle School |
Making the Most of Micro:bit |
$486.20 |
|
Muskegon |
Chelsea Bender and Tyler Frank Montague High School Partner: Chemours Environmental Impact Committee |
Environmental Chemistry- Make It Right Chemours |
$1,499.84 |
|
Muskegon |
Sara Goodrich, Randy Gebolys, Molly Vanderleest, and Chad Majeske Oakrige High/Middle Schools Partner: Lakeshore Boys and Girls Club |
Full STEAM Ahead |
$2,475.89 |
|
Muskegon |
Andria Yost, Brenda Robinson, and Amy Garcia Muskegon Montessori Academy for Environmental Change Partner: Lakeshore Fab Lab |
Muskegon Montessori Jr High |
$2,000.00 |
|
Ottawa |
Julie Kulich, Mike Hoch, and Phil Klein Coopersville High School |
Fiberglass Frenzy |
$1,500.00 |
|
Newaygo |
Makenzie Denning and Vicki Hawes Pathfinder Elementary, Daisy Brook Elementary, and Hesperia Elementary Schools Muskegon Area ISD: Educational Technology Consultant / Director REMC 4 |
Packer Panther Project |
$1,228.49 |
|
Newaygo |
Stephanie Dood, Travis DeVos, Danielle Siegel, Tracy Sanchez, Luke Cotton, and Marty Holtgren Out-of-School: Newaygo County-wide application Partners: Newaygo Conservation District- Kropscott Environmental Farm and Observatory and Muskegon River Watershed Assembly |
Newaygo County-Flying Classroom Professional Learning |
$4,500.00 |
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.
|
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 |
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. Stipends are not an allowable expense for these grant funds.
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
Application - Closed
Timeline
- The application deadline was November 15, 2022.
- Notification of awards were made on December 9, 2022.
- Funds will be dispersed by February at the latest.
- Awardees are to complete their project by the conclusion of the 22/23 academic year.
For questions or technical assistance, contact Olga L. Kryger at [email protected].
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