Resources out of this world: NASA’s Explorer Schools Project offers free online resources to help science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) educators inspire and engage future scientists, engineers and technicians. The project gives educators of grades 4–12 access to NASA’s people, missions, research and facilities. Free materials include online videos, training materials, lessons, live chats and collaboration tools.
CONTACT: NASA Explorer Schools
Join the expedition: Educators in the United States that teach any subject in grades K-12 are eligible to apply for Teach Earth. Through Teach Earth, educator fellows have the opportunity to spend one to two weeks on an Earthwatch Expedition alongside other teachers and develop their skills and understanding around environmental concerns. Expeditions not only provide an opportunity to participate in hands-on, scientific research alongside the world’s top scientists, but they also provide an opportunity to network with colleagues and collaborate on curriculum development. Educators have had the opportunity to participate on expeditions in California, Ecuador, Canada, and more.
DEADLINE: Rolling.
CONTACT: Earthwatch Institute
Tech, engineering opportunities: The Foundation for Technology and Engineering Educators proudly announces the $1,000 Maley/FTEE Technology and Engineering Teacher Scholarship in honor of Dr. Donald Maley. Its purpose is to support teachers in their preparation to increase the positive outcomes of technology and engineering education. Criteria include: evidence of teaching success, plans for action research, recommendations, plans for professional development, and the applicant’s need. Eligibility: Applicant must be a member of the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association. (Membership may be enclosed with scholarship application.) Applicant must be a technology and engineering teacher at any grade level who is beginning or continuing graduate study.
DEADLINE: Dec. 1.
CONTACT: International Technology and Engineering Educators
Become a congressional fellow: The Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program provides a unique professional development opportunity for accomplished K-12 educators in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to serve in the national education arena. Fellows spend 11 months working in a federal agency or in a U.S. congressional office, bringing their extensive knowledge and experience in the classroom to education program and/or education policy efforts. Current sponsoring agencies include: the Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The Department of Energy sponsors up to four placements in congressional offices.
DEADLINE: Dec. 4.
CONTACT: US Department of Energy
Stock your school library: The Laura Bush Foundation Grants seek to provide books and reading materials to school libraries and students that most need them. The foundation provides grants of up to $5,000 to help school libraries expand, update and diversify their book collections. In 2013, the foundation received more than 500 applications and awarded more than 200 grants. Grants are made to individual schools, not the school district. See the criteria for applying online.
DEADLINE: Dec. 2.
CONTACT: The Laura Bush Foundation
Summer learning opportunity: The Fund for Teachers grants allow pre-K-12 teachers to design and pursue summer learning experiences that meet specific learning gaps — theirs and/or those of their students. As a result, teachers (or fellows) return to classrooms with insights, energy and abilities that directly advance student achievement. Teachers can apply for grants of up to $5,000. Eligibility: Any full-time pre-K-12th-grade teacher who spends at least 50 percent of his or her work week in direct instruction with students in a classroom or classroom-like setting; who intends to continue teaching in the consecutive school year; and who has at least three years’ teaching experience for those grades.
DEADLINE: Jan. 30.
CONTACT: Fund for Teachers