In The Money

from Tech&Learning

Where to find extra education tech bucks

With the nation's economy in turmoil and the government budget axe falling on educational programs, many corporations and private foundations are responding to what has become a pressing need for funding in K-12 education throughout the United States. According to the Washington, D.C.- based Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, as of June 2008, at least 10 states are cutting or proposing to cut K-12 education budgets. For example, Florida has cut school aid by an estimated $130 per pupil; Nevada eliminated funds for gifted and talented programs; and Arizona is considering eliminating child-care subsidies for approximately 3,200 children in lowincome working families.

Much of the time, technology programs are the first to get hit. To help school districts, individual schools, and classroom teachers identify resources for grant money, Tech&Learning prepared the following guide to some of the most well-known and proactive K-12 grant providers. Many of these openly solicit grant proposals from educators in all 50 states.

ORGANIZATION: ING

Grant Program: ING Unsung Heroes Awards Program
URL:www.ing.com/us/unsungheroes

WHAT THEY GIVE:
During the past 10 years, the ING Unsung Heroes program has awarded $2.8 million in grants. Each year, 100 educators are selected to receive $2,000 to help fund their innovative class projects. Three of those are chosen to receive the top awards of an additional $5,000, $10,000, or $25,000.

WHAT SCHOOLS DID WITH IT:
The Alabama Avenue Middle School (Albertville, AL) received a grant to help students participate in a program called "Explore the Technology Universe." The program provides an opportunity for students to explore technology by incorporating NASA information into the current curriculum. In a physical science course, students pretend to be astronauts and go through a year-long "astronaut training" program to investigate the principles of science through hands-on activities. Those activities include designing and building a model plane; building and launching hot-air balloons and rockets; researching waves; and studying actual data from NASA. Each student is provided with a handheld research tool that motivates them to complete their class work and expand their knowledge of how technology is applied. The program serves as an experimental model for the school to test the effect of technology use on overall student performance.

ORGANIZATION: OLYMPUS AMERICA

Grant Program: Olympus Tool Factory Classroom Grants
URL:www.toolfactory.com

WHAT THEY GIVE:
Olympus classroom grants are open to K-12 and special education schools in the US, its territories, and Canada. The program awards 10 grants each year.

WHAT SCHOOLS DID WITH IT:
In 2007, the New Britain High School (New Britain, Connecticut) was awarded an Olympus Tool Factory Classroom Grant to teach students basic food preparation techniques, including nutrition, sanitation, and business management. The diverse nature of the curriculum provided an ideal platform for using technology to enhance student learning. During the program, students were introduced to a variety of new technologies, including digital cameras and project-building software. During the course, students visited a large local supermarket to touch and photograph the store's produce—creating a permanent record of the visit and a visual means of identification of the foods. Students used Olympus's Multimedia Lab V software technology to create a final presentation. Their photographs complemented the slides which contained text derived from their research.

ORGANIZATION: DOLLAR GENERAL

Grant Program(s): The Dollar General Back-to-School Grant
URL:www.dollargeneral.com

WHAT THEY GIVE:
The Dollar General Back-to- School Grants provide funding to assist schools with some of their financial challenges, whether in implementing new programs, or purchasing new equipment, materials, or software for their school library or literacy program.

WHAT SCHOOLS DID WITH IT:
The Cowpens Middle School of Pacolet (Glendale, SC) was a recent recipient of a $5,000 Dollar General Grant. The school used the grant to obtain books on CD-ROM for the special education classroom library and school library. The school's book club was a major beneficiary of the funds, which were used to purchase books for club members. For reluctant and slow readers, the school purchased books to expand its collection of comic books and auditory books. A small portion was also used to fund incentive programs.

ORGANIZATION: THE BILL & MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION

Grant Program(s): Education: Early Learning, High Schools, and Scholarships
URL:www.gatesfoundation.org

WHAT THEY GIVE:
Through its partnerships in communities across the United States, the Gates Foundation is committed to raising the high school graduation rate and preparing all students for college or work upon graduation from high school. The Gates Foundation's education initiative also provides children with opportunities for quality early learning. The Foundation has invested more than $1.5 billion in the creation of highquality, high-performing schools and systems, supporting more than 1,800 schools.

WHAT SCHOOLS DID WITH IT:
Envision Schools (San Francisco) is receiving $10.2 million through 2012 to help create top-quality options for high school education in California. Learning by engaging in projects is a key element in the program. Students are encouraged to build their own projects using traditional tools, as well as contemporary technologies, including blogs, video, and multimedia computing. They formally present their work to peers, friends, and family—an audience that often tops 200 people.

ORGANIZATION: BEST BUY

Grant Program: Best Buy Teach Award Program
URL:http://www.bbycommunications.com

PROFILE:
Best Buy Teach Award provides gift cards to schools to enable them to purchase technology for their students. Since 2004, the Best Buy Teach Award program has awarded more than $17 million to over 6,000 K-12 schools nationwide. In 2008, Best Buy will award up to $2 million to K-12 schools in the US and Puerto Rico. Awards will range from $1,000 to $5,000 based on specific school needs. $10,000 will be awarded to up to 15 applications supporting 9th grade programs.

PAST RECIPIENT(S):
In 2008, Best Buy awarded grants to the following school districts as part of the Best Buy Teach Award program: