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:
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.
|
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 will launch in mid-October! Check back for more details.
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
For questions or technical assistance, contact Olga L. Kryger at [email protected].
2023-2024 Awardees
2023-2024 STEM MINI-GRANT CYCLE STATS
- 12 applications were awarded funds
- A total of $17,175.17 was awarded
- 33 K-12 In-Service Teachers benefited
- 4 Informal Learning/Out-of-school Educators benefited
- 12,106+ K-12 students served!
2023-2024 GRANT CYCLE AWARDEES
|
County |
Teachers and Partners |
Project Name |
Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Allegan |
Dale Quattrin, Anthony Lincoln, Steve Potter, and Valli Virgo-Caperton Allegan Tech Center Partners: Motorola Solutions |
Breaking Barriers Through Students Helping Students |
$1,000.00 |
|
Allegan |
Nicole Kerber, Lauren Behnke, and Leah Goering Douglas Elementary School |
Building Science Background Knowledge in Literacy |
$1,023.51 |
|
Kent |
Michelle Holliday, Matthew Evans, Joe Uzarski, and James Emperor Grand Rapids Montessori Partners: John Ball Zoo, Joyful Wildcrafting, and Grow Wise Learning |
Grand Rapids Montessori - John Zoo Habitat Hero Project |
$2,500.00 |
|
Kent |
Linze Ritter and Amy Westcot Native American Education Program of Grand Rapids Public Schools Partners: Robert B. Annis Water Resources Institute (AWRI) |
Observations in Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Climate Change |
1,497.10 |
|
Kent |
Haley Rademacher, Kim Fox, Samantha Frizzle, and Brooke Klopcic Out-of-School Program: Kids' Food Basket |
Real-World Composting Education and Food Waste Prevention for Elementary-Aged Students |
$4,010.00 |
|
Montcalm |
Christina Adamson Tri County Middle School Partners: Rural Technology Fund |
Big Steps in STEM Bit By Bit with Bit Board Rover |
$900.00 |
|
Montcalm |
Raye Wood Tri County Elementary |
Gaming with Raspberry Pi |
$449.97 |
|
Muskegon |
Rebecca Sandee, Rebecca Droski, and Marissa Groothuis Central Elementary |
Maximizing Access to STEM literacy in the Outdoors |
$1,358.00 |
|
Muskegon |
Kari Parnin, Sheila Hunt, Stefanie Sweany, Bill Bowen, and Steve Jablonski Reeths-Puffer High School, Mona Shores High School, Fruitport High School Partners: NxGenMDx, MAISD Health & Wellness Consultant |
Sensemaking and Biotechnology: What's sleep got to do with it? |
$1,200.00 |
|
Ottawa |
Danielle Bolthouse, Rachel Minier, and Carly Boschma Peach Plains Elementary Partners: Ottawa Area Careerline Tech Center |
Sensory Path |
$1,250.00 |
|
Ottawa |
Erin Shillinger, Alyssa Brunelle, Jaqueline Sander, Jacinda Cole, and Joanna Mast White Pines Intermediate School Partners: Grand Haven Area Stamping Products and Grand Haven Waste Water Treatment Plant, and North Ottawa Water Treatment Plant |
Water Quality Testing |
$1,250.00 |
|
Ottawa |
Bill Boerman and Jamie Schwartz Woodbridge Elementary School Partners: Zeeland Board of Public Works and Audrey Byker Health Coach |
Student Led Garden/Nutrition Education |
$736.59 |
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.