Goal: The goal is to provide a science and technology based after school activity for elementary youth, especially in grades 2-5. The objective is to provide these students with a diverse life experience that will include mentoring, exploring science content, in class demos, and planning and evaluating a scientific lesson.
Description/Budget: Table 1 displays a timeline of events that would need to take place to implement the grant BEP proposal. The teacher will have prior knowledge of the technology and lab program. The lab will be sufficient enough for up to 50 students to participate in a 55-minute block in the school science lab. The grant proposal will be used for a one-time project materials fee. The budget for the proposed project it $500.00. Table 2 provides a breakdown of the budget. The budget is displayed in three parts: products, and supplies.
Table 1. Timeline for Implementation of the Project
Date Event
Sept 5 Mixture Separation Challenge
Sept 15 Thermoplastic Polymer Lab
Oct 17 Owl Pellets and the Food Chain
Oct 24 Closed and Open Circuits Activity
Nov 1 Hydrophilic Water Lab
Nov 15 Owl Pets and the Food Chain
Table 2. Proposed Budget for E.S.I Elementary Science
Line # Part #1 Products Qty Total Cost
1 Batteries 30.00 30.00
2 Wire 30.00 30.00
3 Clay 10.00 10.00
4 Lab Goggles 75.00 75.00
5 Lab Aprons 100.00 100.00
6 Baking Soda 10.00 10.00
7 Vinegar 20.00 20.00
8 Owl Pellets 50.00 10.00
9 Hand lens 45.00 45.00
10 Food coloring 20.00 20.00
11 Construction paper 50.00 50.00
12 Yeast 20.00 20.00
13 Salt 20.00 20.00
14 Paper plates 20.00 20.00
15 Borax 30.00 30.00
16 Total Cost 500.00
17
This proposed grant seeks to purchase hands on science technology materials. The program will allow the classroom teacher to create an after school science and technology curriculum that will align with the TN education benchmarks and standards while focusing on the student’s teamwork and comprehension skills. Students are now required to have more critical thinking skills in the areas of math, and science. There is more stress on the elementary and middle school to prepare the student for the new CCSS rigorous curriculum. This after school program assists students with science curriculum and aid in student achievement. An increase in classroom science labs would increase the productivity in the classroom. This is an ongoing grant project that was featured on the front page of the Tennessean and received a Congressional STEM commendation.
Creative/Innovative Approach: The grant seeks the addition of interactive after school project items coordinated along next generation science standards. These science labs will increase the success of the upcoming Science Olympiad Tournament at MTSU. The students will have an interactive learning experience that engages them in the scientific inquiry process. Fully engaged, the elementary students in grades 2-5 will participate and be capable of learning important science skills that will assist them with continued independent study. Any student in grades 2-5 can participate with lab setup for roughly 50 students. The funding will be used for ongoing STEM experiments. The STEM project ideas are basic and can be replicated in any 2-5 grade level specific classroom. The project will be replicated to continue to aid subgroups and provide better understanding of science and math concept skills. The project can be repeated with new items, working in small groups to create and r
einforce STEM concept understanding.