AdoptAClassroom.org is partnering with Staples® to support STEM education in classrooms across the nation! Now through February 15, 2020, K-12 public, private, or charter school teachers can apply for $1,000 STEM classroom grants. We are looking for innovative teachers who want to make an investment in their students and create a big impact.
Note: The 2020 STEM Fund Application is now closed, but register and create a classroom page so individual donors can find and fund your STEM needs. Register here.
Application and Evaluation Criteria
- Each application will be evaluated by two AdoptAClassroom.org staff members and given a value out of 15 points. Applications will be evaluated on the following:
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- Teacher confidently understands the impact of meaningful STEM instruction on students inside and outside the classroom (5 points).
- Teacher clearly portrays themselves as an education leader and an expert in delivering STEM instruction (5 points).
- Teacher clearly demonstrates that they will utilize funds to develop an impactful and innovative experience for students (5 points).
- +2 points: Teacher appears to be teaching at a school that meets our definition of “High-Needs.”
- +2 points: Teacher uploaded a photo.
Requirements for 2020 STEM Classroom Grants
- Eligibility
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- Any PreK-12 teacher or certified staff member employed at a public, private, or charter K-12 school (as verified by the National Center of Education Statistics) will be considered. If you do not see your school accurately listed in their database, please contact our staff at [email protected] to let us know.
- Teachers in all 50 states and all US Territories are encouraged to apply.
- Teachers must agree to and follow AdoptAClassroom.org’s Terms of Use to apply and receive funds.
- Permission
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- Teachers applying for funds give consent for their application content, name, photo, and school to be published in communications by AdoptAClassroom.org and/or Staples to promote their partnership.
- Impact Reporting
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- Winners of $1,000 grant will be required to complete a short survey and provide a photo or video to show the impact this grant had in their classrooms and on their students by May 15, 2020. This content may be used by AdoptAClassroom.org and/or in Staples communications.
AdoptAClassroom.org will evaluate each application individually and award grants by March 15, 2020. We will fund as many classrooms at $1,000 as we can, some teachers may receive a higher donation depending on their application.
If you are unsure if your classroom qualifies for this funding, please contact our team at [email protected].
Examples of teachers selected for STEM Classroom Grants in previous years:
Marilyn received a 3D printer for her high school students.
“Student engagement, problem-solving, and collaboration skills are a must in the classroom and proving STEM in the classroom helps build on the skills they will need to navigate in the future. When you walk into my visually stimulating classroom, you immediately see students working together and utilizing all of our available resources (computers, 3D printer, screen printing equipment, vinyl cutter, scanners) to develop projects for themselves, our schools and the community.”
Vanessa used her funds on new technology for her elementary classroom.
“STEM is the blending together of science, technology, engineering, and math with the world we live in. It means helping students to be excited and curious about the what ifs and can I make that happen? It means putting forth challenges to them and then being utterly blown away when they exceed your expectations and surprise you with a completely different way to reach the solution. It also means integrating all of these subjects with our core life and art, music, kindness and family. Blending it all together into a beautiful symphony of family.”
David purchased coding robots for his middle school engineering classroom.
“I teach 180 students engineering and robotics. If I didn’t fundraise for the materials I use in this classroom, I would simply have to do more old-fashioned teaching. It would be more theoretical than hands-on. So AdoptAClassroom.org was one of those places where I could at least ask. It is a reality that I cannot meet the needs of my students without support.”
Do you have more questions about STEM or this application?
Join us for our Twitter Party on January 12! AdoptAClassroom.org staff and teachers will be tweeting about all things STEM-related. You can also contact [email protected]. Learn more about our resources for teachers here.
A very special thank you to Staples and the donors who supported our STEM Fund to make this grant possible.
Note: The 2020 STEM Fund Application is now closed, but register and create a classroom page so individual donors can find and fund your STEM needs. Register here.