MAST ANNOUNCES ANOTHER ROUND OF INSTRUCTIONAL MINI-GRANTS
MAST will award instructional Mini-grants to MAST members for the 2008-2009 school year. With the success of previous years' Instructional Mini-Grant Programs, the MAST Executive Board has decided to continue the program. Each award will be for a sum of money up to $500 to enable a teacher to purchase supplies and equipment for new and innovative projects to supplement his or her classroom instructional program.
Applicants, who must be MAST members, should submit an application via email showing a time-line, detailed budget, and plan for evaluation of the project. They should indicate how the project incorporates current science education reform movements such as the National Science Education Standards, Project 2061, Benchmarks, Maryland State Department of Education Content Standards and county outcomes among others. They should show evidence that their principal understands the scope of the project and concurs with its implementation. The merit of a proposal will be judged on the above criteria as well as the number of students that will benefit. Projects that will reach students at more than one grade level are especially encouraged. Applicants can check the MAST web site for an application form and a rubric used in evaluating proposals. The deadline for submitting a mini-grant proposal is March 9, 2009. Proposal must be submitted as a MS Word document via email to elizabeth.mccook@fcps.org. The principal’s letter of support should be postmarked by March 9, 2009 to:
Elizabeth McCook
Chair, MAST Mini-grant Committee
c/o Urbana HS
3471 Campus Drive
Ijamsville, Maryland 21754
MINI-GRANT APPLICATION FORM FOR MAST MEMBERS
ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED VIA EMAIL NO LATER THAN MARCH 9, 2009. Applicants will be notified of Mini-grant awards by early April.
Member’s Name ___________________________________________________________
Project Title _______________________________________________________________
Home Address _____________________________________________________________
Phone (home) __________________________ e-mail _____________________________
School Name ______________________________________________________________
School Address ____________________________________________________________
School Phone ____________________________ fax ______________________________
Focus of the Proposal _______________________________________________________
(National Science Education Standards, Project 2061, Benchmarks, Maryland State Department of Education Content Standards and county outcomes, other)
Grade-level/s of students affected by grant _______________________________________
Number of students affected by grant ___________________________________________
Amount requested (Maximum $500) ____________________________________________
Statement of the Proposal ____________________________________________________
Proposal Objectives/ Goals ___________________________________________________
On separate page/s submit a minimum of a paragraph each addressing the following points:
- The project time-line including projected date for required article for the MAST Rapper
- A plan for evaluation
- How your project incorporates the ideas of current science education reform movements
- A detailed budget for the project, including names of suppliers (not to exceed $500). (Receipts of expenditures will be required by the MAST treasurer.)
- A principal letter that shows evidence of their understanding of the scope of the project and that they concur.
Criteria that will be used to judge the merit of the proposal will include the above items as well as the number and grade level/s of students that will benefit. Projects that will reach students at more than one grade level and for more than one year are especially encouraged. For your information, a rubric for the evaluation of the projects is included at the end of this application.
Proposals must be sent electronically in MS Word format by March 9. 2009 to:
elizabeth.mccook@fcps.org. The original of your principal’s letter of support for the project’s implementation during the 2008-2009 school year should be postmarked by March 9, 2009 and be mailed to:
Elizabeth McCook
Chair, MAST Mini-grant
c/o Urbana High School
3471 Campus Drive
Ijamsville, MD 21754
If you are not a MAST member, please send your membership application form (on the web site or in the MAST Rapper) and dues to the membership chairman. Only Minigrant applications from current members will be considered.
Grant Evaluation Form
Evidence of linkage to:
National Science Education Standards, Project 2061,
Benchmarks, Maryland state content standards, MSPAP,
Maryland and county outcomes, other
specific mention of linkage to focus area(s): __________(5)
mention how strategies support/address the focus
Clearly defined objectives
specific mention of behavioral objectives/goals that __________(5)
support the focus
Clearly defined product
a complete plan- engagement through evaluation __________(5)
Activities which support the objective
evidence of feasible and appropriate instructional __________(5)
activities which support objectives/goals
Number of students/grade levels/years
evidence of several classes/grade levels involved __________(3)
number of students benefiting
continuation of project/investment for ___ years
Evidence of partnerships
such as vendors, private sector, and other contributions __________(1)
Evidence of collaboration with other teachers
evidence of integration with other sciences or other __________(2)
content areas; and/or evidence of peer collaboration
or team teaching
Detailed Budget
expenditures support only the proposed project, __________(5)
limited to materials, equipment;
detailed list with catalog numbers/supplier’s name
Timeline addresses project parameters
article for MAST Rapper after implementation __________(5)
Letter of support
support from principal indicating school’s commitment, __________(1)
Discretionary
committees impressions of likeliness to result in a __________(5)
quality product