STEM Mini-Grants

MiSTEM GWM
Canva - MiSTEM Mini-Grant

The STEM Mini-Grant Program is to support educators in the teaching and learning of STEM in K-12 classrooms and out-of-school time programs. The emphasis is on stimulating new teaching ideas and new learning opportunities made possible through the creative spark of educators. An additional emphasis is placed on developing community outreach projects in which students and schools work with local business partners and community organizations to solve local problems and develop career awareness, exploration, or preparation.

Check out this map of the locations of schools who have received MiSTEM Mini-Grant Awards and their business/community partners! 

Click on the pop-out symbol in the upper left to see the map key:

STEM Mini-Grant Cycle Information

Eligible Applicants

The program is open to all public school teachers and out-of-school time educators in Allegan, Kent, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, and Ottawa Counties, for grades K-12. Team projects from several educators working together with multiple groups of students are also accepted and encouraged.  

K-12 Teachers

Maximum WITHOUT a business/community partner

Maximum WITH a business/community partner

1 Teacher

$500

$1,000

2 Teachers

$1,000

$1,500

3 Teachers

$1,500

$2,000

4 or more teachers

$2,000

$2,500

Out-of-School Educators 

Maximum WITHOUT a business/community partner 

Maximum WITH a business/community partner 

1 Teacher

$300

$600

2 Teachers

$600

$900

3 Teachers

$900

$1,200

4 or more teachers

$1,200

$1,500

Application Details

Expenditures for program materials to enhance or extend a regular program or to create a new program are encouraged. If a pre-packaged kit is the major activity for your project, indicate how you would supplement the kit and customize it for your program.  All purchases should be tax-exempt and sales tax will not be reimbursed.  Stipends are not an allowable expense for these grant funds. 

Criteria for Review 

Applications will be reviewed by a team of regional stakeholders. Winners are determined on a county-wide competitive basis, with awards going to the top-ranked proposals.  Priority will be given to proposals that: 

  • Increase equity of access to STEM fields for under-served groups 
  • Include a business/community partner  
  • Demonstrate a potential for positive impact on students and community 
  • Demonstrate an integrated/interdisciplinary/transdisciplinary approach to STEM education 
  • Includes a detailed budget and clear rationale for expenses 
  • Align to standards 
  • Adhere to proposal guidelines 

The application is currently CLOSED. 

2023 - 2024 Timeline 

  • The application deadline was November 17, 2023.
  • Notification of awards were made in December of 2023.
  • Funds were dispersed in February and March of 2024.
  • Final report and photos are due by the end of the 23/24 academic year.

For questions or technical assistance, contact Olga L. Kryger at [email protected]


2023-2024 Awardees

2023-2024 STEM MINI-GRANT CYCLE STATS

  • 12 applications were awarded funds
  • A total of $17,175.17 was awarded  
  • 33 K-12 In-Service Teachers benefited
  • 4 Informal Learning/Out-of-school Educators benefited
  • 12,106+ K-12 students served!

2023-2024 GRANT CYCLE AWARDEES

County

Teachers and Partners

Project Name

Amount

Allegan

Dale Quattrin, Anthony Lincoln, Steve Potter, and Valli Virgo-Caperton

Allegan Tech Center

Partners: Motorola Solutions

Breaking Barriers Through Students Helping Students

$1,000.00

Allegan

Nicole Kerber, Lauren Behnke, and Leah Goering

Douglas Elementary School

Building Science Background Knowledge in Literacy

$1,023.51

Kent

Michelle Holliday, Matthew Evans, Joe Uzarski, and James Emperor

Grand Rapids Montessori

Partners: John Ball Zoo, Joyful Wildcrafting, and Grow Wise Learning

Grand Rapids Montessori - John Zoo Habitat Hero Project 

$2,500.00

Kent

Linze Ritter and Amy Westcot

Native American Education Program of Grand Rapids Public Schools

Partners: Robert B. Annis Water Resources Institute (AWRI)

Observations in Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Climate Change

1,497.10

Kent

Haley Rademacher, Kim Fox, Samantha Frizzle, and Brooke Klopcic

Out-of-School Program: Kids' Food Basket

Real-World Composting Education and Food Waste Prevention for Elementary-Aged Students

$4,010.00

Montcalm

Christina Adamson

Tri County Middle School

Partners: Rural Technology Fund 

Big Steps in STEM Bit By Bit with Bit Board Rover

$900.00

Montcalm

Raye Wood

Tri County Elementary

Gaming with Raspberry Pi

$449.97

Muskegon

Rebecca Sandee, Rebecca Droski, and Marissa Groothuis

Central Elementary

Maximizing Access to STEM literacy in the Outdoors

$1,358.00

Muskegon

Kari Parnin, Sheila Hunt, Stefanie Sweany, Bill Bowen, and Steve Jablonski

Reeths-Puffer High School, Mona Shores High School, Fruitport High School

Partners: NxGenMDx, MAISD Health & Wellness Consultant 

Sensemaking and Biotechnology: What's sleep got to do with it? 

$1,200.00

Ottawa

Danielle Bolthouse, Rachel Minier, and Carly Boschma

Peach Plains Elementary

Partners: Ottawa Area Careerline Tech Center

Sensory Path

$1,250.00

Ottawa

Erin Shillinger, Alyssa Brunelle, Jaqueline Sander, Jacinda Cole, and Joanna Mast

White Pines Intermediate School

Partners: Grand Haven Area Stamping Products and Grand Haven Waste Water Treatment Plant, and North Ottawa Water Treatment Plant

Water Quality Testing

$1,250.00

Ottawa

Bill Boerman and Jamie Schwartz

Woodbridge Elementary School

Partners: Zeeland Board of Public Works and Audrey Byker Health Coach

Student Led Garden/Nutrition Education

$736.59


Click on the links below to view past awardees and partner organizations:


Services provided through a MiSTEM grant awarded by the Michigan Department of Education.



Page last modified March 26, 2024