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Center for Mathematics, Science, and Technology

Noyce Conference Grant

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NSF #2001058
Grant Proposal Development guidelines – Connecting STEM Learning to the Community

Purpose

The purpose of the Midwest Regional Robert Noyce Teacher Conference Sub-Grant program is to encourage you to collaborate with colleagues at a distance from where you normally work and to help you work on connecting your STEM learning/teaching to your local community. We are looking to support your efforts to teach Mathematical Practices, Science and Engineering Practices, and/or Cross Cutting Concepts in Culturally-Relevant ways.

Requirements

  1. You must plan an innovative way to teach a practice/concept [MP, SEP, CCC] and have measurable indicators of success.
  2. The lesson/unit must be connected to a place similar to what was visited during the 2017 - 2021 Midwest Noyce conferences or the theme of the 2021 Midwest Noyce conferences. For a reminder of the site locations, click here (or the concept is similar at their own community site).
  3. Mechanisms for sustainability after NCGP funding need to be incorporated and specified. In what ways could this project continue after funding expires?

Bonus Points in the Evaluation Rubric

  • You should work with someone else a distance apart – at the very least this means two different school districts and likely further. Conceivably two partners could come from different ends of a single large city district (i.e. Chicago), but a compelling case would have to be made
  • Show evidence of beginning to work with your students or partners on something based upon the 2018, 2019 or 2021 Midwest Noyce conferences.
  • 10 pts – Plan with partners
  • 20 pts – Work with students
  • 30 pts – Classroom/community activity with students

Eligibility

At least two of the people listed as key partners must be current or former Noyce Scholars, Fellows, PIs or other Noyce project personnel connected to a current or expired Midwest Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship project.

Budget

We anticipate making 6-8 awards of $1500-$3000 per award in this cycle with a maximum total of $20,000 in March, 2021.

For the first round (proposal deadline March 8, 2021) all funds must be spent by June 30, 2022.

A school principal, administrator, school district personnel, university research officer, or department head must indicate their willingness to allow you to engage in the proposed activities with our funds. We will fund on a reimbursement basis quarterly (March 30, 2021, June 30, 2021, September 30, 2021, December 31, 2021, and March 31, 2022).

Dates and Deadlines

Grant Availability Announced
March 8: Proposal Due
March 22: Award Winner Announced
Paperwork complete
1st half activities conducted
Halftime Reports due
2nd half activities conducted
Project presentation at Midwest Noyce Conference February 22

Required Sections of Grant Proposal Narrative

  • Partner Identification

    Tell us who is partnering on this proposal. Briefly explain how this proposal meets the eligibility criteria.

  • Goals

    What are you trying to achieve? How will you measure your success?

  • Methods

    What are you planning on doing? How will you achieve it? What is each partner’s role in this lesson/unit?

  • Timeline

    Indicate the steps you will follow and when you will accomplish them.

  • Rationale

    What justifications in learning theory and experience suggest that you are likely to have success?

  • Self-critique

    What challenges do you expect to encounter? How do you plan to overcome those challenges? Why will this money make a difference? Without these funds what will you do?

  • Budget

    Please include a letter from a school principal, administrator, school district personnel, university research officer, or department head must indicate their willingness to allow you to engage in the proposed activities with our funds. We will fund on a reimbursement basis quarterly (March 31, 2021; June 30, 2021; September 30, 2021).

  • Support letters

    Please attach letters from the supervisors of the two eligible partners indicating support for this proposal and the time allocated by the partners to conduct the activities indicated in the proposal.

  • Length

    Please limit the narrative to 5 to 8 pages double-spaced, not including support letters.