Funding Paper Mary Jefferson and Deidre Koziak Role of Technology Leader ET 630

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Funding Paper
Mary Jefferson and Deidre Koziak
Role of Technology Leader
ET 630
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Description of Needs
Norwood teachers have always strived to meet the needs of their students. As our world

continues to change and become more technology centered we need to make sure we are giving

our students experiences with technology that will prepare them for their futures. For many

reasons most of our students are not able to experience parts of the world that are outside their

community in Dundalk. In order to help solve this problem we want to look beyond field trips

and use technology to give our students these opportunities. Virtual reality goggles can be used

in many ways and can help students apply what they are learning. Our students deserve to see

what the world has to offer and virtual goggles can help us achieve that! We have found several

grants that Norwood is eligible to apply to that would help us purchase this technology.

Our Makerspace provides our students with great opportunities to express their creative

thinking. As of now, most teachers are utilizing this space to build projects with their students

using the recycled and donated materials it supplies. We want to create a space where students

go beyond creating projects and start to practice problem-solving skills using computer science

programs and technology tools. This requires us to put an innovative spin on our Makerspace. In

order to fulfill these needs, we found several grants that we would like to apply for. These grants

specify in STEM education and how to encourage students to take interest in science and

engineering. We hope that by receiving this grant we could purchase coding devices for each

classroom, and update our Makerspace materials to reflect innovative 21st century learning.

In order to provide our students with successful 21st century learning experiences, we

want our staff to feel confident planning and implementing STEM lessons. At Norwood, we are

fortunate enough to have classroom technologies to incorporate into daily instruction. However,

some teachers may not feel comfortable incorporating it into their lessons. We want to provide
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our staff with professional learning experiences that will build their confidence in planning

meaningful Makerspace lessons that align with their grade levels curriculum. Giving our staff the

time to collaborate, plan, and reflect on STEM education lesson planning will contribute to

Norwood’s vision of innovative learning. The teachers will feel more confident teaching

Makerspace lessons, and our students will engage in purposeful learning with real-world

applications.

Lockheed Martin Philanthropy

Lockheed Martin is a large corporation that is using it local and corporate offices to serve

the community. Lockheed Martin has 3 locations within the Baltimore area. The company also

has 418 jobs postings in Maryland. They are a global company with local roots. This company

offers a grant as well as many other programs that schools and non-profit organizations can

apply for. I think in addition to applying for this grant we should look at some of the resources

they offer to see if we have any connections to our curriculum. There is no deadline to apply for

this grant. However, since there is no deadline and they accept applications all year, some

projects will have to wait for the next budget cycle. The website also mentioned that depending

on what the grant is for will determine what office, local or cooperate, will fund the project.

In order to apply for the Lockheed Martin grant, the organization must be a non-profit or

tax-exempt and align with the companies philanthropic goals. One of their main goals is STEM

education. Using VR goggles will fall perfectly in alignment with this goal. The goggles will

also students opportunities to learn beyond their school's walls. Providing virtual field trips is

important for students in high-poverty areas where parents cannot afford field trips. The goggles

will allow students an experience in connection with what they are learning.
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The website does not list a minimum or maximum amount. When I reached out to the

company they responded that there is not a minimum or maximum amount. This is another great

reason to apply for this grant. We can ask for exactly what we need for our school without

having to meet a certain amount. The Google Expedition Kits range in price from $4,000 for 10

or over $9,000 for 30. With the unlimited amount of the grant, I think we could apply to get one

or two larger kits to be split between grade levels. We could have teachers sign up to use them

the same way we sign up to use the Makerspace.

Norwood Elementary prides itself on being a STREAM school. We focus on science,

technology, reading, engineering, art, and math. We have a makerspace and have taken on other

elements of a STEM school such as a 3D printer, a business and engineering club as well as

using technology in every subject. These innovations, as well as our strong administration and

award-winning faculty, make us an outstanding candidate for this grant. Having virtual reality

goggles seems like the next step for us as a school. We are always looking for the next best thing

for our students and the goggles are just that. We will be able to transform the way our students

see the world with the help of this tool.

As mentioned before Lockheed Martin also offers a variety of programs for students in

grades K-12. All of those programs are also STEM-related. If we are unable to get this grant one

of the other programs we could look into applying for could be Generation Beyond. This

program brings space science into the classroom. They offer a virtual tour of their technology

centers as well as an interactive space flight. This is just one of the many options. Their website

also has lessons for each grade-level as well as projects that can be used for grades K-12. One of

the programs connects the school with an employee and together with the teacher and employee
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will conduct the selected lesson. One of the lessons in this program for kindergarten students is a

paper airplane experience. This experience aligns perfectly with our transportation unit.

After spending time looking at this company and all of their philanthropic efforts I feel

that we would be doing our students a disservice if we did not try and take advantage of one of

the many STEM innovations they are offering. The grant does not have a maximum amount so

we could apply for enough virtual reality goggles for each grade level to have a set. Another

benefit to applying for this grant is a potential partnership with their local office. It is important

that we show our students the multitude of different jobs that can come from having a STEM

education. Norwood needs virtual reality goggles so we can give our students experiences that go

beyond Baltimore. The time constraints and regulations that the county has implemented make it

hard for teachers to find experiences around Baltimore that are meaningful and fun for the

students.

In conclusion, Norwood should apply for this grant because we meet the criteria, have a

need and our students would benefit from this grant. Transportation, cost and lack of support are

some of the reasons teachers at our school feel frustrated when planning a field trip. As good

teachers we know it is in the best interest of our students to provide them with opportunities to

learn outside their classroom. However, the counties guidelines, the cost and issues with

transportation keep us from giving our students these opportunities. I our low income area it is

hard for parents to pay for an expensive field trip but it is hard to plan one that doesn’t cost a lot

of money.

In order to give students experiences outside the classroom we need to invest in

technology that will allow us to continually give students a way to see the world. Traditionally

we go on two field trips a year. With the goggles we would be able to use them monthly or
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weekly in order to fit the curriculum. This grant does not have a minimum or maximum amount

so we would be able to apply for a large set to be shared between the school. Lockheed Martin’s

philanthropic goals align with our goals making this an easy choice.

Resources:

Where to Begin

Lockheed Martin in the Community

STEM Education Opportunities

Email

The Honda Power of Dreams

Teachers at our school are finding it harder to incorporate field trips into their plans. A

large percentage of our families have a low-income so, we cannot rely on the parents to fund the

trips. Field trips provide students with experiences to learn in a different way. If we take this
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opportunity away from our students because their parents cannot fund it we are creating a larger

social divide between our students and students that come from a higher income family. Schools

like ours are faced with the challenge of finding an alternative to field trips so our students can

have real-life science and exploration experiences. The Honda Power of Dreams grant is looking

for organizations like ours. We are a school that focuses on innovations and engaging our

students. The Virtual reality goggles are a technology that will give our students an alternative to

field trips. This tool will help our teachers to give students more than they did in the past since

they will be able to do multiple trips within units. In the past, we have also run into problems

with transportation and timing. In order to use the county buses, we have to be picked up and

dropped off during a small window of time. This does not leave time to go far from the school or

much time at the destination. The Power of Dreams Grant by Honda is the answer to this

problem. This grant would allow our school to purchase multiple virtual reality goggles. This

technology will help our teachers to expand our students’ knowledge to outside the classroom.

This grant has three deadlines each year. Since we have never applied for this grant

before we can turn in the application on February 1st or August 1. Once we apply we cannot

apply again for one year. Returning applicants also have a different due date.

The website for the grant offers an eligibility quiz. After completing the quiz it said we

were eligible to apply and offered a button to create a login. In order to be eligible, we have to be

a nonprofit organization with a focus on STEM education for youth. Other factors that will be

considered are the type of innovation, the impact, and its chances of a high success rate. We are

applying for money that would help us fund an innovative way to go on field trips, as well as

something that would impact all of our students. This innovation is also a way to give students a

chance to see something they would not be able to experience in Baltimore. In an elementary
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school, it is hard to give students an experience of habitats, like the ocean, without going to the

aquarium or zoo. The aquarium is very expensive to go to in Baltimore and the zoo takes longer

to explore than time allows. The VR goggles would allow all of the students to experience both

places in the same day without leaving the classroom.

In order to receive this grant, we must submit an application that is for no less than

$20,000 and no more than $75,000. The grant also needs to see tax documents and audited

financial statements to prove we have less than $500,000 in revenue. The application also allows

for 12% of the grant money to go towards indirect costs. Our school could purchase a set for

each grade level in order to stay above $20,000 and below $75,000. The Power of Dreams gives

out about 27 grants per year.

If we were to apply for three kits of 30 goggles we would need about $30,000. The

website said that the average grant size is around $45,000. Spending $30,000 does meet the

amount requirements. Additionally, we could build in time to pay teachers to have professional

development on this new tool. Teachers need training, and to see how they can easily implement

it into what they are already doing, to be successful with a new type of technology.

A detailed program description can sometimes be required in addition to the application.

In this part of the application, the staff would like for us to be able to identify the who, what,

where, when and why of our program. After reviewing some of the past applications it appears

the grant goes to schools or programs that offer extra services for students. I think we have a

good chance of receiving this grant because we are using technology in order to give our students

experiences in science that they would not normally be able to have.


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Increasing technology in our school will help to close the digital divide for our students.

Our population is high poverty. Most families do have a smartphone or tablet but do not have a

computer. It is a teacher’s job to give their students the skills they need in order to be successful

when they are older. It is important that as teachers we work hard to give our students multiple

experiences with different forms of technology to help close the digital divide that exists between

students who live in poverty and those who do not.

Resources:
Applying for a grant
Eligibility

Email:
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Motorola Solutions Foundation

The Motorola Solutions Foundation was founded in 1953 and is a charitable branch of

Motorola Solutions. This foundation has employees located all over the world. Their main goals

include forming successful partnerships, making strategic grants, and supporting innovations in

the areas in which it operates. In 2017, this foundation awarded over $9 million dollars in grants,

which benefitted over 3 million students across the globe. Motorola Solutions Foundation has

several different focuses ranging from education to disaster reliefs. In relation to our schools’

needs, the foundation looks to support programs that will advance STEM education through

computer science programming.

In 2017, this foundation supported 143 technology and engineering programs in hopes of

preparing students for a future in innovation. Some of their past partnerships include the

American Indian Science and Engineering Society, Code.org, and the Penang Science Cluster.

These partnerships promoted computer science programming with real-world applications such

as how to solve community issues. Their main goal is to increase student interest in technology

and engineering, which in turn will create an increase in STEM careers in the future. The

foundations dedication towards innovation is why we believe this grant would be perfect to

support Norwood in getting Ozobots for our students. It not only funds STEM education, but

also provides teachers with professional development. Since most, if not all teachers would be

new to the Ozobots, this professional development opportunity could be crucial to successfully

implementing them into our schools’ Makerspace.

As the school year is coming to an end, this foundation is no longer accepting

applications for 2018 grants. In order to apply for a grant in 2019, all organizations must submit

an inquiry form by January of next year. From there, the team at Motorola Solutions Foundation
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will select organizations that fit best with technology and engineering programming. The

maximum grant request amount is $50,000. However, one of the cons towards applying to this

grant is that organizations looking to fund non-Motorola Solutions equipment will be lower in

priority. After contacting a member at the Motorola Solutions Foundation, we found that in order

to be considered, we would need a detailed description on all the ways in which Ozobots would

benefit our students at Norwood. Inquiries will be reviewed in alignment to the Foundations

guidelines before being considered. Our grant would be geared toward buying several Ozobot

classroom kits for our teachers, as well as professional development. Being that the maximum

grant request is so high, we would be able to provide all of our teachers with an Ozobot

classroom kit.

This foundation prides itself on helping teachers to improve their teaching of STEM

subjects. They want to support students in engaging in innovative, hands-on technology

experiences. At Norwood, all teachers are using technology in daily instruction. We are given

monthly Makerspace time where our students work through the engineering design process to

create projects that are relative to their curriculum. Implementation of the Ozobots will be the

next step towards continuing to provide our students with innovative experiences that they have

never had before, which is why we think this would be an excellent grant for us to apply to.

Norwood is fortunate enough to have a Makerspace where we can provide our students with

hands-on project based learning. Applying for this grant would give our students experiences

with problem-solving solving skills outside of creating projects. We can incorporate the Ozobots

into our monthly allotted time in Makerspace, and continue to teach our students to work through

the engineering design process as they advance in STEM education.

Resources:
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Motorola Solutions Foundation Website

Grant Opportunities

Grant Priorities

2019 Grant Inquiry Form

Email

Siemens Foundation

The goal of the Siemens’ Foundation is driven towards innovation. They work to advance

STEM education in grades K-12. They are inspired by research to provide students with

experiences they will take with them into the workforce. Over the years, the Siemens Foundation

has invested more than $100 million in education throughout the United States. They hope to

encourage students to become future scientists and engineers.

Siemens Foundation currently has a grant opportunity sweepstakes of up to $10,000

towards STEM technology and resources or a science lab makeover. In order to apply you must
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be located in the United States and a part-time or full-time teacher who provides direct

instruction to students in grades K-12. This would be a great grant for our school to apply to. In

our Makerspace, we have many materials to support our students in project-based learning, but

we are lacking technology tools. This relates to our schools’ need for coding devices and

computer science programs. It encourages its recipients to purchase gadgets, top-tier technology

and supplies for its students. The one con we found in applying to this grant is that it is chosen

entirely by luck of the draw. In order to apply we simply submitted our schools’ name and

address. You are able to vote for your school once a day to enhance its chances of winning. We

feel that if we were able to submit an explanation for wanting this grant, we would have a higher

chance in being chosen for the opportunity.

If Norwood were to receive this grant opportunity, we would not only be able to

purchase Ozobots and other coding devices, but could also re-vamp our Makerspace to provide

our students with an advanced STEM education. We could purchase tools for our 3D printer,

MakeDo tool kits to help with creating projects, and coding devices to encourage problem-

solving skills. We could also use the winnings towards purchasing the Virtual Reality goggles

that will give our students real-life experiences outside of Baltimore. What’s great about this

Foundation is it not only provides wonderful grant opportunities, but it also gives educators in

grades K-12 detailed STEM lesson plans and resources that can be used in their current Maker

Labs. Winning this grant would take Norwood a huge step further towards innovation.

Incorporating coding and engineering into our lessons we will help build a foundation in

computer science for our students. Computer science is currently one of the largest job markets

but there are not enough graduates to fill all of the available positions. We hope that by giving

our students these opportunities to create and code, we will help to close the achievement gap.
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Our students will have science and technology experiences that they are unlikely to have outside

of the school setting.

Resources:

About Siemens Foundation

Enter Grant Sweepstakes

Rules and Guidelines

The NEA Foundation

This program provides funding for educators to support them in creating lessons to

improve student learning. Unfortunately, we have not been given training on our Makerspace,

3D printer, or coding. With the help of this grant our teachers could be given time to build

meaningful lessons using these new technologies. We would like to apply as a group to their

mentoring experiences for our faculty. The funding leans towards school proposals that

incorporate STEM into daily instruction. The award amount ranges from $2,000 to $5,000. The

school has twelve months from the date the award is given to use the money. Grants are available

to educators in public schools of higher education. One con of applying to this grant would be

that the students are not directly affected by the funding. However, after our teachers receive the

professional development, their long-range planning will be more successful and beneficial to

the students. Since this grant prioritizes schools who incorporate STEM education into daily

learning, we feel our proposal could be highly considered. We also have a close connection with

Towson University’s Education Department. We are a professional development school with a

multitude of interns here on a daily basis. The training our teachers could receive from this grant

would benefit the interns who will get to take part in the lessons.
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The grant can be applied in multiple ways. Educators may use it to fund a conference that

requires travel, room and board. It may also be used towards a stipend for extra work for

educators. We would like to apply to use the money for stipends for our teachers to stay after

school and develop Makerspace and coding lessons. We feel that our teachers have the ability to

create engaging lessons for our students and giving them this time would increase the student’s

opportunities to learn coding and problem-solving skills.

The grant has three deadlines throughout the course of each year. We have missed the

first deadline which was one February 1st. We have two more dates that we can still apply by. If

we apply by June 1st we will know if we receive the grant by September 15th. The third deadline

is October 15th and you would be notified by January 15th.

Information on a designated lead teacher is required to apply as the award contact person.

Our administration cannot serve as a lead or partner. We feel that Norwood’s technology

committee would be great for this position. If we apply for the $5,000 group grant we would also

need to include a partner information in case the lead is unable to fulfill their duties. We have

two technology liaisons so this should not be a problem. Adrienne Ross will be the lead since she

is the most experienced and will be heading the project. Mary Jefferson will be the partner and

take over if Adrienne is unavailable. We feel that we already have a great leadership team set up

to begin this project. The narrative for the proposal has eight sections. The sections include a

summary, professional development plan, activities, goals, needs, sustainability, budget, and

selection criteria.

This grant has represented educators from all over the US at all grade levels and subject

areas. In 2013, Waverly Elementary School located in Ellicott City received $5,000 to

implement a heart rate monitoring program at their school. Another Maryland Elementary
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School received $2,000 for training other educators in best practices for teaching English

Language Learners. In Prince George’s County Public Schools a teacher was granted $5,000 to

assist educators working with English Language Learners. Another Maryland teacher at Oakdale

Elementary school received $2,000 to learn how to better implement technology in her art

classroom and seek better ways to use assessment. These previous grant recipients are a great

example of the range of funding needs the NEA Foundation is willing to support.

Resources:

Overview

Steps to writing the grant proposal

Application

Grantee Archive

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