Bates Science and Math Education Partnership Grants sponsored by Bates College and funded by a grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

DEADLINE for Submission: Ongoing; proposals considered as received

The Bates Science and Math Education Partnership Grant Program has two goals: to enhance science and math education in under-resourced K-12 schools in Maine, and to encourage more Bates students to consider precollege science and math teaching as a career.  It has been our experience that both of these goals can be met through ongoing, collaborative partnerships among K-12 teachers, Bates faculty, and Bates students.

The Idea Behind Bates Science and Mathematics Education Partnership Grants
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) is one of the country's largest private scientific institutions. The work of the Institute focuses on all fields of science, biomedical research, and medicine, including science education. Bates College has received several HHMI grants to enhance science and mathematics education at the college level, and this support has made the Bates science program an exceptional one. HHMI funds are also available through Bates for curricular improvements at the pre-college level, to help cultivate the next generation of scientists.

The Bates Science and Math Education Partnership Grant Program offers Maine K-12 schools support for equipment purchases, curriculum development, and other initiatives that will improve math and science teaching and learning, while enhancing partnerships with Bates.

Bates Science and Math Education Outreach Grants

• are flexible awards available to teachers and administrators in under-resourced schools; preference is given to projects that enhance and extend existing partnerships;
• support science or math education projects that have a direct impact on the education of students in grades K-12;
• help teachers enhance science and math curricula in accordance with the standards set forth in the Maine Learning Results;
• must involve a partnership between Bates College and the school.

Bates Science and Math Education Partnership grants usually provide support for partnerships that have been developed through summer student fellowships, student-teacher supervisors, education student placements, professional development projects, and classroom exchanges.  Grants can support curriculum and lab development, including assessment, teacher training, and acquisition of resources.  For more information about existing partnerships, collaborative efforts, and past projects, contact Kerry O'Brien kobrien@abacus.bates.edu, 786-6065.

Who May Apply

• K-12 Teachers seeking support for individual science or mathematics education initiatives, units, or curriculum development, undertaken in collaboration with Bates faculty members or involving Bates students;
• K-12 Schools seeking support for classroom, library, or technology resources to enhance science or mathematics education, and interested in developing collaborations with Bates faculty members or Bates students;

A Note to K-12 Teachers and Administrators: School systems, administrators, or teachers in Maine are eligible, but preference is given to successful existing partnerships demonstrating financial need, and to proposals submitted by teachers and administrators from under-resourced schools in Androscoggin, Oxford, and Sagadahoc counties. Public, nonprofit private, or parochial schools are eligible. Any project must document a collaborative planning process between the College and the school.

• Bates Science or Mathematics Students conducting science or math education projects as part of a regular course, or conducting senior theses on science or mathematics education;
• Bates Education Students and Student-Teachers working on science or mathematics education units in area schools as part of Bates education courses;
• Bates Faculty interested in integrating science and mathematics education outreach projects into the courses they offer, or interested in building lasting working relationships with area schools and teachers.

Application Process
Grants of $100 to $10,000 are available for science education projects during the academic year or for summer curriculum development projects. Projects with a well-designed plan, a sound and well-articulated budget, and a clear K-12 school-Bates College partnership will be considered as they are received. 

Proposals MUST include:

1) a Proposal Application Form (available from the Dean of the Faculty's Office, Bates College, 2 Andrews Road, Lewiston, ME 04240) or online at http://www.bates.edu/Prebuilt/Bates-Science-Partnership-Application.pdf with all requested information provided;

2) a narrative statement of not more than five pages double-spaced describing
-- the K-12 school-Bates College partnership planning process and goals;
-- the project and its goals, including a detailed description of the benefits to all members of the partnership;
-- the particular student learning goals the project will address;
-- the link of the project to the Maine Learning Results and local standards;
-- the detailed time line of the project;
-- the number of K-12 students or teachers expected to be involved in Year 1 of the project; and
-- the number of K-12 students or teachers expected to be involved in the project after the first year (i.e., a demonstrated commitment to the project over the long term).

3) a detailed budget, describing any material and equipment needs, wages, travel, registration fees, media/library needs, etc., and how they relate to the project goals and design. Summer stipend requests for Bates students should be based on the Bates standard of $350-$400 per full-time week. Teacher honoraria should be based on standards in school systems.

4) a written endorsement of the project and agreement to participate by the Bates collaborator, for proposals from K-12 schools or teachers. Proposals submitted by Bates students must include a statement of endorsement from a Bates faculty advisor and from the K-12 teacher with whom the student will be working.

Proposals are reviewed by a committee of Bates science and mathematics faculty members. The committee awards strong, coherent proposals that
-- show a strong, well-planned K-12 Bates partnership,with mutual benefits to all parties;
-- address science and math education in light of the Maine Learning Results science and mathematics standards;
-- serve a significant number of K-12 students and teachers;
-- enhance current science and math offerings or propose revisions to existing curricula; and
-- demonstrate sustainability of proposed science and math education enhancements.

Submit proposals to Office of the Dean of the Faculty, Bates College, 2 Andrews Rd., Lewiston, ME 04240

Decisions are made within six weeks of the deadline, and the project director is notified of the decision by e-mail and U.S. mail.

Funded project directors are expected to present a short summary of the work for area educators at the annual 7-16 Math and Science Educators Round Table (usually held in late September).

The project director is expected to submit a detailed written report, statistical report, and financial summary within sixty days of the completion of a funded project.

Timetables for Funding New and Existing Partnerships
Individuals seeking to develop a new partnership collaboration should begin the process in the fall so that they are well positioned to submit a full proposal in the spring.  Smaller collaborative projects (such as summer student fellowships) in advance of a major proposal may help establish connections and strategies for larger efforts.

Current recipients of Bates Science and Math Partnership Grant who are seeking additional support may submit a supplemental request proposal (one- to two-page narrative and budget) at any time.  Supplemental requests are considered as they are received and as funds are available.

To Contact Bates
For more information on the grant program or the technical assistance available, or to request an application form, call or e-mail Kerry O'Brien, Assistant Dean of the Faculty, Bates College (753-6952; kobrien@abacus.bates.edu).

8/2007