UC FUSION Center Awards K-12 STEM Innovators
The UC FUSION Center announced the first recipients of its Innovation Grants program. In an effort to increase participation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) learning activities for all students in the state of Ohio, a total of $168,000 was granted to 20 proposals.
From the 64 applications submitted, leaders from the FUSION center, housed in the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH) reviewed and selected
and one collaborative award to be determined. Proposals that range from individual classroom projects to district-wide programs will be awarded $2,000 - $15,000 each, depending on the scope of the proposed activities and the number of participants involved.
The Innovation Grant program began with the regional STEM summit held at UCs Tangeman University Center on September 13 for K-12 teachers, administrators, and informal educators. The focus of the conference was for partners in the region to share their STEM activities, and inspire other teachers to try new activities. The forum also included sessions to help teachers understand the grant writing process and encourage them to develop innovative STEM projects that can be transportable, with the ability to be adapted across curriculum and in other schools in the region.
The funds for the grants came from the House Bill 1 from the General Assembly through the Ohio STEM committee. The FUSION center was awarded the parent STEM initiatives grant which held a portion for the Innovation Grants, to support small-scale innovative teaching and learning activities to engage students at any grade level in interdisciplinary STEM experiences. Proposals were evaluated based on integrating STEM and 21st century learning skills, providing for diverse learning needs, generating transportable products, and demonstrating innovation.
Were so excited to see the energy come out of this and the teachers that are willing to take a risk and try something new in the classroom. The response has been overwhelming, says Helen Meyer, FUSION center director and associate professor of science education. Awards include funding for Mt. Notre Dame High School to start a program encouraging young women to enter STEM fields, and the opportunity for Evendale, Heritage Hill and Sharonville schools to develop 21st Century 4th graders on the Farm curriculum.
Meyer says, We are so impressed to be working with such committed educators in STEM subjects and beyond. This project was really about capacity building and networking building, to foster a sense of a regional STEM community.
A complete list of Innovation Grant awards can be found at
http://manage.swohstemed.org/works_files/Innovations_grant_award_list.pdf
The UC FUSION Center is a component of the SW Ohio Regional STEM Education Hub of OSLN. To learn more about the SW Ohio Regional STEM Education Hub of OSLN and the Ohio STEM Learning Network
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