What I Learned In School Today: The mini-grant process can lead to innovative ideas.
Tonight I am taking part in my school district’s mini-grant proposal night. For mini-grants, a pool of money is available and teachers are invited to write grant proposals requesting a sum of money to be used for a specific instructional purpose. The grant topics this year range from alternative seating options for students to programable robots and STEAM tools. Teachers who wrote proposals will share a five minute presentation to School Board members and administrators who will then discuss the proposal and determine what money will be allocated to that item or project.
This is a fantastic system run through the district. So often teachers come up with phenomenal ideas that they’d like to implement in their classrooms, but they are unable to pursue these ideas due to a lack of resources. Mini-grants give teachers an opportunity to get some funding for items or ideas that would not normally be available. This encourages creativity and allows for innovation, all of which results in better learning for our students. I look forward to participating in the process tonight.