STEM Mini-Grants
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Check out a map of the locations of schools who have received MiSTEM Mini-Grant Awards and their business/community partners:
2021-22 Cycle
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 to work with local business partners and community organizations to solve local problems and develop career awareness, exploration, or preparation.
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.
Funding/Budget Guidelines
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
For questions or technical assistance, contact Olga Martinez-Capistran at martiolg@gvsu.edu.
Mini-Grant Winners
2021-2022 Grant Cycle Awardees
County |
Teachers and Partners |
Project Name |
Amount |
---|---|---|---|
Allegan |
Dale Quattrin, Valli Capterton, Beth Johnston, Stephen Potter, Anthony Lincoln Allegan County Area Technical & Education Center (ACATEC) Partner: Edgewater Automation |
To Space and Beyond!! |
$1,655.90 |
Kent |
Bobbijo Zoerhof and Jane Van Hof Kentwood Public Schools; Valleywood Middle School Partners: Groundswell, GVSU, and Trout Unlimited
|
Stewards of Buck Creek: 3D printed enviroscape, water solution designs and water testing kits |
$1,500.00 |
Kent |
Jessica Priem, Tami Nelson ,Dalila Flores, Kari Logan, Emily Dafoe Godfrey Lee Public Schools |
ECC Legends Lab - K-2 Makerspace |
$1,992.06 |
Kent |
Adrianne Rose, Julia Bierema, Jessica Priem, Adam Lurie, Melissa Donovan, Troy VanTuien Godfrey-Lee Public Schools Partners: MiSTEM Network, Michigan Department of Education, REC Foundation, and Amazon Future Engineers/Project STEM |
Full STEAM Ahead Curriculum Development |
$1,500.00 |
Muskegon |
Chad Majeske and Erica Trowbridge Oakridge Public Schools; Oakridge Middle School Partners: The Boys and Girls Club, Muskegon Lake Shore, and Mitten Drone Media |
Escape Room: Drone Edition |
$1,470.00 |
Muskegon |
Heather MacDonald, Sarah Tabler, Stephani Lewis, Emily Morehouse Orchard View Schools; Cardinal Elementary |
Maker Space Lab for Cardinal Elementary |
$2,000.00 |
Muskegon |
Dylan Darga, Janelle Carr, Michelle Schuitema, Devany Schumaker Muskegon Public Schools; Bunker Elementary, Marquette Elementary, Moon Elementary, Oakview Elementary |
Muskegon Public Schools- Elementary STEM Lab |
$1,799.96 |
Muskegon |
Rebecca Sandee, Devin Perez, Shanna Frazier, Rebecca Droski, Emily Workman Reeths-Puffer Schools; Central Elementary Partners: Michigan Farm Bureau, Muskegon Area Beekeepers, and West Michigan Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative |
Bringing the FARM to Central Elementary |
$2,125.00 |
Newaygo |
Stephanie Dood, Travis DeVos (Grant Location), Alexis Mercer (Newaygo Location), Renee Platt (White Cloud/Hesperia Location) Newaygo; Grant Public Schools, Newaygo Public Schools, White Cloud Public Schools, and Hesperia Community Schools Partners: Kropscott Farm Environmental Center, Newaygo County Public Schools, The Gerber Foundation, and Fremont Area Community Foundation |
Nature is our Educator-Place Based Learning |
$6,000.00 |
Ottawa |
Samantha Ludlam Coopersville Area Public Schools; Coopersville High School Partners: Hehlden Farm, DeVries Meats, Drummond Meat Processing, and Meat Market |
Meat Evaluation & Technology |
$491.00 |
Here is the list of past awardees and partner organizations:
Services provided through a MiSTEM grant awarded by the Michigan Department of Education