Grant Application Deadline Extended to December 15, 2011
About Science Kits for Public Libraries
The IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) - Chicago Section has been awarded a $40,000.00 grant from the IEEE Foundation and IEEE Life Members Committee. The award finances the IEEE - Chicago Section's Science Kits for Public Libraries Grant Project which will fund public libraries in the development of math and science collections for pre-university students (K-12).
The Grant seeks to be a catalyst for educating students about how math and science are used to the benefit of humanity and to provide seed money for the creation of library programs and projects that will make a lasting impression on a community of pre-university students (K-12).
Specifically, the Grant will defer the cost of science kits - especially those that provide prepared experiements for use by pre-university students and educators including parents, teachers, club leaders, and/or librarians. Ideally the kits will demonstrate to students the skills required for a career in electrical engineering.
Project History
The Science Kits for Public Libraries Grant Project is an expansion of a recently completed pilot project supported by IEEE - Chicago Section's, Chicago Fund. IEEE - Chicago Section identified an educational need and designed the Fund as a way to generate enthusiasm for math and science eduation, especially education about electrical engineering. The Mount Prospect Public Library (MPPL) in Mount Prospect, IL was the pilot project for the Fund.
Because of the Chicago Fund, MPPL librarians were able to develop science kits for students of all ages and give students access to prepared experiments and science materials that they might not encounter in the traditional classroom. Additionally, the MPPL librarians created the Mad Scientists Club, an educational program that allows students to conduct experiments at the library with the guidance of a librarian. Watch MPPL's Mad Scientist Club on YouTube and view the kits in action.
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Interested in participating?
The Grant is restricted to public libraries with preference given to public libraries located in the territory of IEEE-Region 4 (Midwest including all or parts of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North and South Dakota, Ohio and Wisconsin).
Additional materials including grant criteria and application forms will be posted here as they become available.
Questions? Contact Amy Killebrew, Project Manager at sciencekits@ieeechicago.org.