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Funding Paper

Mariah Voelkel and Kaitlyn Valis

Loyola University
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Needs:

At New Town High School and Connelly School of the Holy Child, we are currently in

the process of adopting a one to one device program. These programs will ensure that all students

will have a device available to them for instructional purposes. In addition, all teachers and staff

will have a device as well that they can use when delivering instruction. Both schools are still in

the entry stage of this transition and professional development is needed for the staff to use the

devices and the tools available appropriately, efficiently, and effectively. These professional

development sessions will give the teachers and staff at both schools the knowledge and skills

needed to implement these devices in instruction. Therefore, our schools are requesting grants to

fund the professional development needed for effectively implementing the one to one program

at our schools.

Connelly School of the Holy Child already has access to the devices and New Town High

School will be receiving their devices in two years. In addition to the professional development

needed to support the teachers and the implementation process, both schools will need a

technology leadership team. These team members will also need training on up to date practices

for technology integration and time and resources to implement different technologies so that

they can become experts in this area. Through their own professional development and growth

they will be able to support staff members with this transition. One specific aspect of technology

integration that the leadership team should explore is blended learning practices because through

blended learning there are unique opportunities for learner centered practices and flexibility with

classroom structure. It is important that both schools have a technology leadership team to help

the teachers and staff at both schools become more comfortable with the transition to the one to

one device programs and support the teachers and faculty with the integration of the devices.
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Connelly School of the Holy Child is also interested in providing opportunities for

students to create, invent, and learn. To make these opportunities a reality, we are beginning to

create a makerspace for our students. In this space, students will use a variety of tools and

equipment to complete projects and experiments. For this makerspace to be successful, we need

equipment and supplies that our students can use to invent and create. Some equipment our

school will need includes 3D printers, electronics, hardware supplies, and tools. New Town High

School would benefit from some of these materials in their math, science, and engineering

classes. These materials would help the students complete more project based learning activities.

These needs are important for successful implementation of our one to one device

program and our new Makerspace. For our school to purchase the supplies needed and provide

effective professional development, we will need to apply for grants to help us fund these needs.

The following are grants that should be considered when looking to fund these needs.

Grants:

American Honda Foundation:

The American Honda Foundation (AHF) is an organization that focuses on helping the

youth and scientific education in American. This foundation looks to award grants to public

school districts and private/public elementary and secondary schools as listed by the U.S.

Department of Educations National Center for Education Statistics. The foundation is interested

in funding youth who are imaginative, creative, forward-thinking, scientific, humanistic, and

innovative. The American Honda Foundations funding priority is to focus on youth education,

students under the age of 21, in the areas of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, the

environment, job training and literacy. The AHF awards on average 27 grants annually, based on

their budget.
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The grant range for this foundation is between $20,000 and $75,000 over a one-year

period with the average grant being $45,000 for a one year funding cycle. The American Honda

Foundation requires that the proposals be submitted online and that there is no fee associated

with this process. AHF is currently accepting applications three times per year and those who

have never received funding from this foundation can apply either February 1 or August 1. There

is no minimum or maximum page requirement for the application. However, the program/

project description should articulate how the program stands out from others doing similar work,

and details on the planned activities. Sample lessons and activities can be included. Applicants

must also include audited financial statements. If our schools applies for this grant before the

August 1 deadline, the grant will be reviewed by the board during the month of October. AHF

states that following the October board review, grants will be awarded November 1. A copy of

the application can be found here.

The American Honda Foundations restrictions include no more than one request in a 12-

month period. After taking the Eligibility Quiz, it was also noted that this grant has the following

spending restrictions; cannot be for the support of individuals, scholarships, educational

research, conferences or seminars, trips or tours, or the purchase of a vehicle. Those who request

less than $20,000 or more than $75,000 will be automatically declined.

Connelly School of the Holy Child should apply for this grant because it would give them

the funds needed to purchase supplies for our Makerspace. A Makerspace is a place where kids

imagine, create, innovate, and learn. This follows the mission of the American Honda

Foundation. These funds could help us purchase tools and equipment needed such as a 3D

printer, filament, hand tools used for a wide range of projects, fire extinguishers, computers,
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electronics, and eye shields. These purchases would meet the AHFs spending restrictions

because the funds would be used to support the purchase of supplies.

The pros for applying for this grant is that there are no upfront costs associated with the

application process. This grant is also beneficial because each school can apply for the grant

once a year which would help to maintain the costs of the makerspace at Connelly School of the

Holy Child if the awarded more than once. New Town High School would also benefit from

applying for the American Honda Foundation grant because the funds could help the school

purchase technology supplies that would enhance student learning. This grant would also help to

purchase supplies for students at New Town High School to complete more project based

learning activities in their classes. A con for apply for this grant would be that the American

Honda Foundation only chooses from the top 8-10% of a field of 250 applicants per quarter. In

addition, if not chosen, any school that applies for this grant will have to wait a full calendar year

to submit another application. This grant could not be used for professional development or

individual teachers, but could be used to purchase big ticket items the whole school could benefit

from.

FirstEnergy STEM Classroom Grant:

The First Energy STEM Classroom grant supports classroom projects and teacher

development with a focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Each

grant awarded is up to $1,000. This grant is for educators who teach in grades Pre-Kindergarten-

12th grade. The board considers grants for classroom projects that incorporate a clear

explanation of how the items requested for funding are vital to the project's successful

completion and how they are designed to improve and enrich student development and

networking. This grant can also be used to compensate experts who work with the students, not
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including teachers or staff. Those who are awarded the grants are recommended to send a written

summary with samples and photos of the project's successful completion to the FirstEnergy

Education Advisory. Previous winners for the FirstEnergy STEM Classroom grant, have

completed projects such as electric safety, magnetism, computers and robotics, and the physics of

building a kite.

To apply for the grant, you must fill out the application electronically. A copy of the grant

can be found here. Once the application is complete, it needs to be printed, signed by both the

applicant and the principal, and must be mailed to the FirstEnergy Community Involvement

Department. The application must also include supporting documents and a copy of the school's

Request for Tax Identification Number and Certification Form. The deadline for this application

is September 23, 2016 and recipients will be notified by October 14, 2016. Projects requesting

the grants must be completed during the 2016-2017 school year. In addition, the application

must include a complete list of the expenditures needed to complete the project including

materials, equipment needed, supplier, and cost.

The restrictions for this grant include purchasing supplies including laboratory supplies,

books or equipment for general school use, media equipment and furniture, previously funded

projects, projects that require multiple academic years for completion, and fees for conferences,

workshops, transportation, or refreshments. To qualify for the grant, the organization or school

must be located in areas that FirstEnergy supplies service including Ohio, Pennsylvania, New

Jersey, West Virginia, and Maryland.

Connelly School of the Holy Child should apply for this grant, because it will help to

fund a project that students would complete in the new Makerspace. The lead teacher can apply

for the grant and include her lesson and materials needed when submitting the grant. A pro for
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this grant is that the grant will be awarded during the upcoming school year and can be used to

purchase materials for a specific project the students will be working on. The grant also gives the

students the chance to reflect and summarize their experience when sending their summary to the

Advisory team. New Town High School could also apply for this grant to purchase materials for

project in one of the STEM content areas. A leader from a club including the robotics club may

also want to apply for this grant to fund a project or activity they are completing. A con for this

grant is that the project must be completed during the 2016-2017 school year. If there is low

involvement in the Makerspace or after school club, it might be difficult for the applicant to

submit the summary of the project and the required student work.

Toshiba America Foundation:

The Toshiba America Foundation (TAF) is interested in awarding grants to teachers or a

small team of teachers to fund project ideas and materials teachers need to innovate in their math

and science classrooms. This foundation grants to both public and private schools across the

United States. Public schools who apply for this grant need to submit evidence that they are

recognized by the local/state government by providing a copy of the state tax exempt certificate.

Private schools need to provide a copy of the IRS (501)(c)(3) tax-exempt determination letter.

Teachers in grades 6-12 can apply for $5,000 or less on a rolling basis throughout the calendar

year. Those who wish to apply for more than $5,000 are required to submit an application by

February 1st and August 1st each year. All applications must be submitted electronically and

must be for project based learning.

To apply for the Toshiba America Grant, a teacher will have to create an account using

their email address, name, and identifying for which school they are requesting funds. The

teacher requesting the funds must include a project title and a summary of the project, amount
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requesting, which content area the project will be completed in, how many students will benefit

from this grant, the start and end date for the proposed project, learning objectives tied to the

project, and a list of two most expensive items in the budget. The application also requires the

applicant to discuss alternatives to reaching the specific goals and learning objectives, how the

project will be managed, a timeline for each activity, a proposed budget and any other additional

information that the applicant thinks would be useful for the review committee. Teachers who

will be overseeing the project must also submit a copy of their resumes. Finally, before

submission the applicant and the school principal must sign the application. Teachers are

welcome to call the TAF at 212-596-0620 to discuss their project ideas before submitting their

completed proposal. If awarded the funds, the teacher must submit an evaluation of the project

in which the applicant will include evidence, both qualitative and quantitative (pre- and post-

tests, journals, portfolios, ect.) within 30 days of completion. To access to required form, click

here. Toshiba America Foundation provides examples from previous recipients on their website.

The examples can be found here.

The Toshiba America Foundation prohibits the use of funds to solely purchase computers,

microscopes, or smart boards. TAH also prohibits more than one grant per school at a time. The

Toshiba America Foundation will not fund projects that are completed during the summer or

during an after school program. A pro for applying for this grant is that both Connelly School of

the Holy Child and New Town High school can apply for this grant. The funds from this grant

could help to purchase items needed to complete projects in the Makerspace at Connelly School

of the Holy Child as long as the projects are being completed during the school day. Again, New

Town High School would also benefit from this grant in their math, science, and engineering

classes. The teachers of these individual classes could apply for this grant to purchase materials
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to complete specific projects in their classes. A con for this grant is that the funds can only be

used to purchase materials needed for a project, and cannot be used for purchasing technology

items that both Connelly School of the Holy Child and New Town High School both need.

Another con, very similar to FirstEnergys grant is that if the timeline is skewed and the project

cannot be completed, the participants cannot submit the required qualitative and quantitative data

for the proposed project.

McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation - Teacher Development Grant

The Teacher Development Grant supported by McCarthey Dressman Education

Foundation is a grant directly linked to teacher professional growth and the necessity for teachers

to actively learn and grow in the pursuit of becoming highly effective educators. The foundation

believes in continuous, insightful, and innovative professional growth. With the foundation's

commitment to improving teaching with the goal of supporting student learning and

understanding this would be a perfect grant for Connelly School of the Holy Child and New

Town High School to apply for to support the development of a technology leadership team that

would lead professional development for the rest of the faculty. The grant is intended to support

small groups of teachers in investigating and implementing instructional practices that are

emerging and innovative practices for the 21st Century teacher.

Grant recipients should be eager to improve classroom instructions and willing to

document their plan for innovative improvement of instruction and learning. This grant is

restricted to K-12 license teachers in private and public schools. Teachers should be qualified to

execute the proposed plan and be willing to work with the McCarthey Dressman Education

Foundation. Although small groups of teachers may implement the proposed use of the grant

finances only one educator should apply for the grant through the foundation so that the
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application is under one name. Grant amounts of up to $10,000 are award per year with a max of

$30,000 over three years. Educators may apply for a one, two, or three year grant based on the

depth and length of the proposed project.

The application has four parts that must be submitted to apply for the Teacher

Development grant; background information, narrative, budget, and reference letters. The

narrative aspect of the application asks those applying to describe the project that will impact the

professional development of those participating and how teaching and learning will be different

than it looked previously. Applicants are asked to include background information about the

school and reference research or teaching practices associated with the work being completed. A

clear evaluation and assessment tool should be developed to establish if the development of

teachers skills and an improvement of learning is occurring throughout the project. Lastly, there

should be a clear timeline and plan for sharing what they learned with other colleagues and

administrators. The budget should indicate what money will be used for, how it applies to the

goal of the professional learning, when it will be spent, and the amount that is needed. At least

three letters of reference should be submitted referencing the applicant's leadership abilities as

well as how the project will make a difference in the school or community. Applicants are

advised to review the Teacher Development Grant application questions before attempting to

complete the application. Applicants can apply online using the foundations online application

for the grant.

Applications are available online from January 15 to April 15 every year and applicants

are encouraged to apply early for these grants. There is a limited number of applications that are

accepted so if that limit is met then no other applications are accepted. Notification of awards of

the grant are sent by July 15 and awards are sent August 15, which is perfect timing for a
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yearlong project starting at the beginning of the school year. Important dates and frequently

asked questions are all addressed on the grant website and can be found here. Based on the

information and restrictions of the grant projects there are a lot of possibilities for potential

professional learning projects. The foundation does provide project summaries of past recipients

for reference in developing and applying for a grant through the foundation. Past project

recipients are in line with our desire to implement technology in an innovative and purposeful

way to meet students individual needs and explore blended learning models.

For Connelly School of the Holy Child and New Town High School the Teacher

Development grant would be ideal to prepare a team of teachers to be confident and proficient

with technology integration and blended learning models through their new one to one device

program. This small team of educators could then become a technology leadership team that

plans professional development opportunities for the rest of the faculty and supports faculty with

meaningful technology integration of technology through their one to one device programs. The

small group could spend a year attending conferences and workshops to build their own skills

and take online courses. They could also spend some time exploring the ISTE Technology

Coaches standards and addressing areas where they can each grow to be able to best support the

entire faculty. Another pro is that the application has no cost and the application is relatively easy

and not very lengthy which would make the application process worth it for those participating.

The only con of applying for this grant is that it is a nationwide foundation and based on the

previous grant winners there are only two to three winners for this particular grant each year.

Also there is a limited number of 125 applicants that are accepted each year. If the application is

not prepared before the application opens online and submitted immediately there is a chance

that the maximum number of applications would be met and the group would have to wait an
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entire year to reapply for the grant. Lastly, based on the foundations homepage the foundation

pays particular attention to those that are at-risk or under-funded, so although there are not

particular mentions of this limitation in the grant application Connelly School of the Holy Child

might be eliminated because of its location and general demographic of students from higher

socioeconomic households.

Maryland Society for Educational Technology Grant

According to the MSET website, Maryland Society for Educational Technology is an

organization that provides leadership and advocacy to advance teaching and learning through

innovative and effective technology integration. Therefore their grant for current members which

supports teachers who are focusing on personalized learning through innovative work with

technology and improving digital learning skills for students is a perfect grant for both Connelly

School of the Holy Child and New Town High School. This grant offers up to $2,000 per grant.

Applicants must be members of MSET and only one applicant per school may apply.

The requirements of this grant include a title and a brief description of the proposal as

well as clearly stated goals and objectives. The application also requires a list of items requested

and costs of each item. The budget for these items and resources should not exceed $2,000, but if

it does then there should be an explanation of where the additional funding is coming from.

There should be a clear assessment of the goals and objectives of the proposal and a discussion

of how these assessments will indicate whether the goals and objectives are met. The proposal

should be informed by standards and therefore standards being met should be identified,

especially those standards addressed from Maryland College and Career Ready Standards,

Maryland Teacher Technology Standards, and the Maryland Technology Literacy Standards for

Students. The proposal should also indicate a timeline of actions that will lead to the fulfillment
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of the proposal including the activity, person responsible, start date, completion date, and

evidence of successful completion. The proposal should describe how the proposed plan will

directly impact and improve student learning through technology.

Grant recipients will present their work and implementation at the Common Ground

Conference in Ocean City, MD and create an iLearn Maryland course through iTunes University

to share their work and resources with others who might be interested in implementing a similar

projects. All grants are evaluated by the MSET Grant Committee using a specific scoring scale.

This grant is offered annually and applications are due at the beginning of December and

decisions are made by the end of December. Although the number of applications submitted was

not indicated there were four winners last year which is a good number of opportunities for

receiving the award. Past winners from 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 are indicated on the website

with titles and descriptions of the winning proposals which is very helpful to know what the

committee is looking for and how the grant could be used. Applicants are asked to submit an

application online and even though this is last years application, we anticipate that the

application for 2016-2017 would be very similar.

With the implementation of the one to one device program at Connelly School of the

Holy Child and New Town High School the MSET grant is a great opportunity to support those

programs through a specific projects exploring blended learning models that focus on

personalized learning that is student centered. This grant could support a specific teacher or

group of teachers as they explore best practices of technology integration with a specific focus in

blended learning. The one to one device programs will allow more possibilities for blended

learning and digital resources that students can use both inside and outside the classroom. For

these practices to be implement school wide it would be helpful for a few teachers on a
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technology leadership team or technology committee to explore and implement these strategies

before developing professional development and training for the rest of the faculty. The MSET

grant would allow these technology leaders to grow together and explore the various models of

technology integration that promote innovation in their individual classrooms.

The pros of apply for this grant is that it is a Maryland grant specific for Maryland

educators who are members of this specific organization so the pool of applications would not be

as big as a nationwide grant. This grant is also very specific to innovative technology integration

rather than education in general so a specific project can be implemented using the one to one

devices that students will now have at Connelly School of the Holy Child and New Town High

School. It is also closely aligned with standards specific to Maryland curriculums so the projects

and practices will align with curriculum and standards expected of Maryland teachers. The

application process does not cost any money and the application is not too extensive which is

always good for a busy teacher. Also, winners present at the Common Ground conference which

is good for networking and general professional development. The only cons of this grant is that

the website does not indicate how many applications are received each year, so there is not a

good indication of the chances of being rewarded.

Lastly, the MSET grant meets the needs of both Connelly School of the Holy Child and

New Town High School because as they are both initiating one to one device programs there will

be much need for professional development and growth for the faculty implementing the

technology to impact and improve student learning. Similar to the last grant, the teacher or

teachers who implement the MSET project exploring blended learning models would not only

improve their own implementation of the technology, but would become a leader in the school

who would plan and implement professional development opportunities for other faculty. Also,
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these faculty could work with administration and school leadership to implement school wide

blended learning initiatives that would support personalized learning for students.

In conclusion, the implementation of a one to one device program at Connelly School of

the Holy Child and New Town High School brings about a variety of other needs that should be

met to facilitate a successful implementation of these programs. The major expense of the

devices has already been funded for both schools so the needs established focused on

professional development and other supplies. Even though the main cost of the devices is

covered there are also supplemental tech resources that are necessary for successful

implementation and grants were found to supplement those costs. Connelly School of the Holy

Childs makerspace is a place for innovation, creativity, and exploration, but to have this be a

space available for that certain resources are necessary and similar resources would be helpful

for math, science, and engineering teachers at New Town High School. Lasting professional

development for the schools would be most effective if a technology leadership team was

established. The grants chosen focused on professional development for those faculty members

with the plan to have them lead and train other teachers once their skills and knowledge were

established. There are pros and cons to each grant, but overall they are very applicable to the

needs of both schools.