Virginia Association of Science Teachers

VAST Mini-Grant for Teaching

The purpose of the VAST Mini-grant program is to provide seed money for innovative curriculum activities which expand learning opportunities for science students. Team applications are welcome, however one person must be designated as the Project Director. The Project Director must be a member of VAST (dues paid for 2023), must have taught at the elementary or secondary level for a minimum of three years, and must be currently employed as a teacher.

Awardees will be selected by a committee appointed by the VAST President. The committee will be looking for projects that will directly impact student learning in the science classroom. The committee will also evaluate the originality, creativity and cost effectiveness of the proposals. Ideally, the projects that are funded will provide the students with new experiences and make possible new scientific investigations. Preference will be given to persons who have not received prior VAST Mini-grant awards. The selection committee may elect to not make an award if the proposals do not meet the stated criteria. It is anticipated that most awards will be made in the range of $200-$500.

Mini-grant funds may be spent for supplies, equipment, printing, and other materials essential to the project. Mini-grant funds are not intended for student travel (field trips) or for the personal remuneration of the grant recipients. All materials will become the property of the school/school system in which the Project Director is employed at the time the grant is awarded.

Created in 2023, VAST honors one of their own by establishing the Shirley Sypolt Memorial Mini-grant in Elementary Education.

Awardees will be selected by the VAST Awards and Grants committee.  The committee will be looking for projects that will ​directly​ impact student learning in the elementary science classroom.

Ideally, the projects that are funded will provide the students with new experiences and make possible new scientific investigations.

To apply, simply complete the Google form here and apply under "Elementary Education" category.

Note: Applicants must be a current member of VAST

If you have any questions or would like more information, contact Sandy Pace, awards@vast.org

Due Date: September 30.

 To apply: Click here to go to the Google form.

TACT Mini Grant to Enhance Teaching of Chemistry

The Tidewater Alliance of Chemistry Teachers (TACT) was founded in 1975 and it actively served the needs of area chemistry teachers for 37 years. When it ceased to exist in 2012, the organization made an endowment to VAST with the stipulation that the monies would continue to be used to promote the teaching of chemistry within Virginia. This mini-grant offering is funded by their generous endowment.

The purpose of the TACT Mini-grant is to provide seed money for innovative curriculum activities which expand chemistry learning opportunities for students. Team applications are welcome, however one person must be designated as the Project Director. The Project Director must be a member of VAST (dues up to date), must have taught (K-12) for a minimum of three years, and must be currently employed as a teacher. Recipients will be selected by a committee appointed by the VAST President. The committee will be looking for projects that will directly impact chemistry learning (K-12). The committee will also evaluate the originality, creativity and cost effectiveness of the proposals. One, or more, grants totaling $1,500 will be awarded. Ideally, the projects that are funded will provide the students with new experiences and make possible new scientific investigations. Proposals that include student hands-on activities are preferred. Preference will be given to persons who have not received prior TACT Mini-grant award.

Mini-grant funds may be spent for supplies, equipment, printing, and other materials essential to the project. Mini-grant funds may be used for student travel as long as less than 50% of the grant is designated for this purpose. Funds may not be used for the personal remuneration of the grant recipients. All materials will become the property of the school/school system in which the Project Director is employed at the time the grant is awarded.

Due date: September 30.

To apply: Click here to complete online.

AIPG Russ Wayland Mini Grant to Improve Teaching of Geology

Sponsored by the Virginia Section of the

American Institute of Professional Geologists

In 1993, the Virginias Section of AIPG established a mini-grant program to improve the teaching of Geology in the schools (K-12), Public and Private. The section has allocated $1,000 to fund approved proposals for this year.

Applicants must be currently employed as classroom teachers and must be a member of VAST or WVSTA. Applicants must agree to share the outcomes of this project with other teachers through in-services and/or a presentation at the VAST PDI or the WVSTA conference.

Recipients are also expected to share the outcomes of the project with the members of the Virginia Section of the AIPG at one of their yearly meetings.

The review committee is looking for proposals that will result in more hands-on activities, and a better understanding of the importance of geologic resources, and/or geologic principles. The grant may be awarded to one applicant or split among several applicants (to be determined by the AIPG selection committee). Grant monies are not intended as remuneration and should not be considered as such. The AIPG selection committee may elect to not make an award if it feels that none of the proposals meet the goals of AIPG. Applications are due August 20.

Download the pdf application to print out hard copy to submit.

Other Grant Opportunities

Virginia Association of Science Teachers

communications@vast.org

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