Mini-Grants

The Mini-Grant program provides small (up to $500) seed-money grants to teachers in the member schools to help develop projects that will improve or enhance science education for their students. This program is supported by donations, mostly by science-related businesses and individuals. The Mini-Grant program supports inquiry-based science, builds science-education capacity, encourages the use of science resources from the community, and creates opportunities not ordinarily funded by the schools. Mini-Grant applications are reviewed in November, March, and May. They may be submitted at any time.

A sampling of projects awarded in previous years include:

- A study of a local pond involving several teachers, town employees, local experts, and parent volunteers. This project has become a regular part of the curriculum, reaching students year after year, and creating a meaningful data base of information about the conditions and inhabitants of the pond.

- A collaboration between a teacher and a biological illustrator to teach students the basics of nature illustration, and to help them develop a field guide to the flora and fauna of their school yard.

- A collaboration between a teacher and a parent group to develop and then make “Take-home Family Math Kits.”

- Projects to create communication linkages between classrooms and research vessels at sea. Scientists visit the classroom to make personal contact and to discuss their research before and after the voyage.

- A project involving a teacher, parents, and an expert from a local historical site to develop a native species garden and a composting project on the school grounds to enhance the 3rd grade curriculum.

Interested in applying for a Mini-Grant? Click here for our FAQs.

Teachers and their project partners from the member schools in Bourne, Falmouth, and Mashpee, MA, can dowload a copy of the application here (33 KB PDF file). Completed applications must be mailed or faxed as indicated on the application.