JOHNSTOWN — The FirstEnergy STEM Classroom Grants for the 2015-2016 school year are now available.
The STEM-related grants are available to educators at schools and youth groups served by FirstEnergy operating companies (including Penelec) and other areas where FirstEnergy facilities.
Educators (pre-kindergarten through grade 12) and youth-group leaders in the service areas and where FirstEnergy has facilities are encouraged to apply. FirstEnergy supports classroom projects and teacher professional-development initiatives focusing on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
For 2015-2016 the maximum amount of the grant has been increased from $500 to $1,000.
The deadline for this year’s grants is September 18, 2015. Recipients will be notified of their grant award by October 16, 2015.
Any creative classroom project in science, technology, engineering and mathematics will be considered. Projects that incorporate the following components are of the greatest interest:
- Clearly explain how the items requested for funding are vital to the project’s successful completion
- Designed to improve, advance and enrich student learning
- One-time, one-year implementation and evaluation
- Flexible and appropriate for targeted stage of student development
- Range from formative ideas that explore learning concepts to full tested models that are ready to be adopted and disseminated
- Include additional support from other sources for larger projects
- Networking; mentoring; interdisciplinary or team-teaching; and teacher training/professional development
- Includes study of electricity and electricity production
Grants may be used to compensate experts who come to work with students, but not to pay teachers or staff. Resources requested should be integral components of a well-planned classroom project/lesson plan, and important to its success.
The Community Foundation for the Alleghenies is helping spread the word about this grant opportunity through FirstEnergy. To find out additional details click on STEM or application to apply.
