The grant proposal I chose for my classroom is a joint program of the Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation and Montclair State University’s Professional Resources in Science and Mathematics (PRISM). The PRISM homepage can be accessed by visiting http://prism.montclair.edu/prism/index.html
You may also want to read the PRISM online newsletter, which has links to their different grant applications.
http://prism.montclair.edu/prism/newsletters/jan07/grants.html
The 8th grade science lab in which I teach is already equipped with several educational technology tools, which include 14 eMacs, smart board, digital projector and wireless connectivity. I share the room with another science teacher and together we continue to search for creative ways to implement the technology tools into our curriculum. The tools we have in place now are wonderful; however, we do not have educational software to use with the computers other then the internet and the applications that came preloaded with the OS. The search for an appropriate grant began with two discussions, one with the other 8th grade science teacher and the other with the district’s science supervisor. We came to the conclusion that I needed to secure a grant that would help utilize the tools we already had in place such as software packages and professional development. The science supervisor informed me of several grants he was aware of, one of which caught my attention, the PRISM grant.
PRISM offers four different grant opportunities with my focus being on the Roche/Montclair State University: Middle School Teaching Excellence Awards. The grant offers a $1,000 prize for fifteen selected math or science teachers in grades 5-8. There are no limitations listed on how the funding is to be used; however, the application does require a purpose for which the grant is requested as well as a summary for how it will be utilized. The online application is fairly easy to complete and can be obtained by visiting the newsletter link above or directly at:
http://frontpage.montclair.edu/CSAM/Roche.htm
Unfortunately, the deadline for the application to obtain a grant for the 2007-08 academic year was March 15, 2007; however, I will keep the application bookmarked for the following school year.
TF Standards:
Technology Facilitation Standard II. (TF-II)
Planning and Designing Learning Environments and Experiences. Educational technology facilitators plan, design, and model effective learning environments and multiple experiences supported by technology.
Technology Facilitation Standard VII. (TF-VII)
Procedures, Policies, Planning, and Budgeting for Technology Environments. Educational technology facilitators promote the development and implementation of technology infrastructure, procedures, policies, plans, and budgets for P-12 schools. Educational technology facilitators:
