Are You a Math/Science Middle/High-School teacher

who needs $2,000 for class equipment?

 

Yes?         Read on.

 

Physical disabilities challenge both the student AND the teacher. Science and mathematics teachers can be especially challenged to include full participation of a student with disabilities. Modifying and creating new experiences in math and science usually requires new equipment, ideas, and even computer programs! This is where Program ACCESS comes in: Program ACCESS (Accessing Career Choices in Engineering and the ScienceS), a National Science Foundation project based at the University of Arizona, is seeking Middle- and High-School teachers who want to increase the presence of students, with physical disabilities, in mathematics and science disciplines through participation in and the exploration of their opportunities and options in YOUR classroom!

 

Approximately twelve (12) Encouragement Grants, of up to $2,000 each, will be awarded to teachers, including contract teachers who serve multiple schools, for equipment to conduct science, mathematics, or computing projects that target students with physical disabilities.  (Equipment may include travel, books, adaptive software, etc., but salary and stipends are excluded.) These grants target students with physical disabilities, but, if awarded, there is no restriction on all students benefiting from the equipment.

 

The following are quotes from teachers participating in previous Program ACCESS Encouragement Grant Programs.

"This has been the most rewarding thing I have been involved in,...".

Palo Verde High Magnet  School, Tucson Wetland Project now accessible to disabled students.

"The impact of the materials on student learning was beyond expectations that I had envisioned at the onset of the proposal." Saguaro High School, Tucson

"Because this [material and equipment] was new to all students, disabled and non-disabled peers started off on the same level and their interests and experiences grew together. They were equals to each other in their knowledge." Miles Exploratory Learning Center, Tucson

 

These grants will be awarded through a competitive process.  The teacher will submit a proposal describing how he/she will use the grant.  The proposal must follow guidelines outlined in the Encouragement Grant Application Form below.  Proposals will be judged by Program ACCESS representatives.  Awards will be based both on the impact of the project and on the involvement of students with physical disabilities. Collaboration between teachers is encouraged.  Teachers may form teams and work on a mutual project. A final report discussing the process and results of the project is required at the end of the project.  A meeting will be held for those funded to share their experiences.

 

WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU !

In order to help you prepare an Encouragement Grant proposal, we will offer a 2.5-hour Grant Writing Workshop specifically geared towards these grants. This workshop will also cover topics such as, how to construct a budget, how to manage a grant, how to measure the effectiveness of a grant, how to have a lasting impact, and how to write a final report. Locating additional funding sources will also be discussed.  While attendance of this workshop is not required to apply for an Encouragement Grant, attendance is strongly recommended. Even if you are not interested in an Encouragement Grant from Program ACCESS you are more than welcome to attend this workshop and put your new knowledge to use for other education grants.

 

WHEN AND WHERE?

The Grant Writing Workshop will be held on Saturday morning, September 23, 1999, from 8:30a.m. to 11a.m., at the  University of Arizona.  The workshop will be given by University of Arizona personnel: Georgia Ehlers, Coordinator of Grant and Scholarship Development, and David Lovelock, Department of Mathematics, both Principal Investigators of Program ACCESS.

 

FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE

There is no fee for this workshop, but pre-registration is required by Monday, September 18.  If you wish to attend this workshop, or need more information, please call the Program ACCESS office ((520) 626-8397, voice mail) or Chris Mikel at the Math Center ((520) 621-2056). Location and parking information will be provided by phone. Final proposals are due Monday, October 30, 2000.  Successful applicants will be notified during the week of November 6, 2000. Application guidelines are available online. Please check out our web page at http://w3.arizona.edu/~access.

 

APPLICATION FORM

Program ACCESS, Accessing Career Choices in Engineering and the ScienceS

 

Proposal Guidelines

Total length should not exceed three pages.  Proposal must be typed, using - at least - single spacing, one-inch margins, and 12-point type font size.  Only proposals adhering to these guidelines will be considered. Organize proposals as follows:

 

Cover Sheet

Teacher's Name and Title:                                                                  Teacher's Signature:

Grade(s):                                                                                                School:

School/Home Address:

Phone Number:                              Fax Number:                         e-mail Address:

Principal's Name:                                                                                  Principal's Signature:

Project Name:

 

Project Description

I.  Purpose and Needs Statement

State the reasons why this activity is proposed and how this need was determined.  Indicate the project's uniqueness and its relevance to the students and school.

 

II.  Students to Benefit from Project

Describe the students that the project is intended to reach and how they will be selected and involved in the project.  Explain how students will benefit from the project and the possible impact on others.  You should indicate the number of students who will benefit and the types of disabilities these students may have.

 

III.  Resources

Identify any resource specialists that the project will use to reach the students and what they will contribute to the project.

 

IV.  Description of Project

Provide a descriptive overview of the project.  Include a tentative timetable or schedule of activities for the project.  Show sufficient detail to give a clear picture of how you plan to meet the project's goals.

 

V.  Financial Information

Include the project budget.  Justify expenditures. Indicate any additional sources of anticipated or committed revenue, which are funding the project.

 

VI.  Evaluation

Describe how you will determine the extent to which this project meets its goals.

 

VII.  Lasting Impact

Explain how your project will sustain itself, and have a lasting impact on future students with physical disabilities.

 

VIII.  Project Report

Identify who will prepare and submit, within 30 days following closure of the project, the final report to Program ACCESS.

 

Proposal Submission

Mail the proposal to David Lovelock, Department of Mathematics, University of Arizona, Tucson AZ 85721. Only proposals received by Monday, October 30, 2000, will be considered.  Successful applicants will be notified the week of November 6, 2000.