STEDTRAIN
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Submitted proposals will be evaluated and scored according to the following criteria:

Score each subcategory 1-10

A. Project -Program Plan: 20%

The program plan is a critical element of the proposal. The program plan explains how the lead teacher will execute the program or project. Proposals without a good program plan will not be funded.

1. Statement of Project -Program Objective(s): 25% of 20%

What will this effort accomplish to benefit the students?

2. STEM Implications: Which of the following apply to the Objective(s)? 25% of 20%

How does the project clearly introduce a new technology?

How does the Project – Program propose a new and/or novel Project – Program that employs existing technologies?

How does the Project – Program provide a strong stimulus for motivating students to pursue additional STEM subjects for education and/or career considerations?

1. How does the Project – Program demonstrated Skill and/or knowledge goals that will be accomplished:
   
   
   1. Psychomotor?
   2. Knowledge?
   3. Application of Knowledge to Problem Solving? a.iv Teamwork and communications?


2. Are there other factors the Committee should consider? Score only those parts that are indicated or should have been indicated and explained.
   
   
   1. Major project -program steps and schedule to achieve the objective(s). 25% of 20%
      
      
   2. Clear reasonable budget to accomplish objective(s). 25% of 20%
      

B. Project – Program Impact: 25%.

How will the Items discussed under 7.A.2 accomplish the objective(s)? What is (are) the approach(es) to be used?

Demonstrated Skill and/or knowledge goals that will be accomplished.

1. Psychomotor – Hands-on extent [The degree to which the proposed project – program provides for student hands-on experiences.]? 25% of 25%
   
   
2. Knowledge – What new ideas, concepts, or material will the students learn? 25% of 25%
   
   
3. Application of Knowledge to Problem Solving – How will these apply to the objective? 25% of 25%
   
   
4. Teamwork and communications 25% of 25%
   
   
   1. Teamwork extent [The degree to which the proposed project provides opportunities that foster collaboration and team-building to achieve success in the project.]? 34% of 25%
      
      
   2. Student Presentations extent? 33% of 25%
      
      
   3. Multiplicative Effects? 33% of 25%
      1. Can or will this grant be used repeatedly for more than one class, one term, or one year?
         
         
      2. Can or will the methods, materials, or instructions of this grant be taught or shared with other teachers and/or schools?
         
         

C. Professionalism: 10%

Qualities of proposal presentation, i.e., are the questions asked fully answered in a thoughtful and professional manner? Teachers who have received prior grants will be also be scored on their professionalism in following prior grant requirements, i.e., attendance or representation at check presentation ceremony, on-time submittal of reports and participation in the STEDTRAIN Conference.

D. Student Evaluation Strategy - Plan: 20%

How will the lead teacher measure the impact of the program on the students?

1. Does the proposal propose a definite knowledge increase? 25% of 20%
   
   
2. Is there a clear picture of how student success will be measured? 25% of 20%
   
   
3. Has it a specific plan to evaluate this increase such as pre-and post-test, production of student reports, and production of student constructions? 25% of 20%
   
   
4. How will you demonstrate tangible results? 25% of 20%
   
   

E. Reuse [Teacher provided -Server Compiled]: 15%

This will be calculated based on the budget submitted.

F. Potential for Wide Involvement: 10%

Can or will this grant be used repeatedly for more than one class, one term, or one year? Can or will the methods, materials, or instructions of this grant be taught or shared with other teachers and/or schools?

Proposals for $1500 to $2500 grants are for projects -programs that try to expose students to STEM learning and/or careers in a unique way. Submitted proposals will be evaluated and scored according to the following criteria:

Score each subcategory 1-10

A. Project -Program Plan: 10%

The program plan is a critical element of the proposal. The program plan explains how the lead teacher will execute the program or project. Proposals without a good program plan will not be funded.

1. Statement of Project -Program Objective(s): 25% of 10%

What will this effort accomplish to benefit the students?

2. STEM Implications: Which of the following apply to the Objective(s)? 25% of 10%

How does the project clearly introduce a new technology?

How does the Project – Program propose a new and/or novel Project – Program that employs existing technologies?

How does the Project – Program provide a strong stimulus for motivating students to pursue additional STEM subjects for education and/or career considerations?

1. How does the Project – Program demonstrated skill and/or knowledge goals that will be accomplished:
   
   
   1. Psychomotor?
   2. Knowledge?
   3. Application of Knowledge to Problem Solving? a.iv Teamwork and communications?


2. Are there other factors the Committee should consider? Score only those parts that are indicated or should have been indicated and explained.
   
   
3. Major project -program steps and schedule to achieve the objective(s). 25% of 10%
   
   
4. Clear reasonable budget to accomplish objective(s). 25% of 10%
   

B. Project – Program Definition: 13%.

How will the Items selected under 7. A. 2. accomplish the objective(s)? What is (are) the approach(es) to be used?

Demonstrated Skill and/or knowledge goals that will be accomplished.

1. Psychomotor – Hands-on extent [The degree to which the proposed project – program provides for student hands-on experiences.]? 25% of 13%
   
   
2. Knowledge – What new ideas, concepts, or material will the students learn? 25% of 13%
   
   
3. Application of Knowledge to Problem Solving – How will these apply to the objective? 25% of 13%
   
   
4. Teamwork and communications 25% of 13%
   
   
   1. Teamwork extent [The degree to which the proposed project provides opportunities that foster collaboration and team-building to achieve success in the project.]? 34% of 13%
      
      
   2. Student Presentations extent? 33% of 13%
      
      
   3. Multiplicative Effects? 33% of 13%
      
      
      1. Can or will this grant be used repeatedly for more than one class, one term, or one year?
         
         
      2. Can or will the methods, materials, or instructions of this grant be taught or shared with other teachers and/or schools?
         

C. Professionalism: 5%

Qualities of proposal presentation, i.e., are the questions asked fully answered in a thoughtful and professional manner? Teachers who have received prior grants will be also be scored on their professionalism in following prior grant requirements, i.e., attendance or representation at check presentation ceremony, on-time submittal of reports and participation in the STEDTRAIN Conference.

D. Student Evaluation Strategy - Plan: 10%

1. Does the proposal propose a definite knowledge increase? 25% of 10%
   
   
2. Is there a clear picture of how student success will be measured? 25% of 10%
   
   
3. Has it a specific plan to evaluate this increase such as pre-and post-test, production of student reports, and production of student constructions? 25% of 10%
   
   
4. How will you demonstrate tangible results? 25% of 10%
   

E. Reuse [Teacher provided -Server Compiled]: 7%

This will be calculated based on the budget submitted.

F. Potential for Wide Involvement: 5%

Can or will this grant be used repeatedly for more than one class, one term, or one year? Can or will the methods, materials, or instructions of this grant be taught or shared with other teachers and/or schools?

G. The Proposal must address one or more of these questions: 10%

Score this section as a group.

Have students learned enough to take on their own projects independently of teacher support?

Have students demonstrated a desire for further STEM education?

Have students learned how the benefits of the program relate to their academic choices and careers beyond STEM?

H. The Proposal shall provide an explanation of how the students will progress from STEM skills obtained via the Proposal project -program and workplace careers that utilize those skills. 10% I. How does Grant Proposal project -program provide skills and knowledge to students that were previously unavailable to the students? 8%

J. Outline a program vision beyond this year’s funding – how could this Grant Proposal spark future STEM efforts? 7%

K. How will this Grant Proposal promote interaction between grades? 5%

L. How will this Grant Proposal's project -program align with and promote current curriculum? 5%

M. How will this Grant Proposal's project -program integration with other funding to achieve greater goals? 5%

A. ONLY ON LINE APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTABLE.

1. Use STEDTRAIN Website stedtrain.org to submit the proposal. Please read and carefully follow all directions, instructions, and guidelines provided.
   
   
2. Start early in case there are any potential problems with access to the STEDTRAIN website and/or the electronic forms. If problems occur, contact STEDTRAIN immediately.
   
   
3. Proposals shall be written and submitted by the proposed lead teacher using the form online.
   
   
4. Teachers must authenticate submitted proposals via the online form prior to the submission deadline.
   
   
5. Coordinate with your Principals early. Principals have the sole legal authority to accept Seed Grant funding for their schools. Principals must authenticate and accept the teacher’s submitted proposal and the Grant when notified on or about August 5. Furthermore, the principal must agree to certify annual reporting of non-expendable items purchased with Seed Grant funds for a period of 5 years via our online form.
   

NOTE: Example(s) of proposal(s) may be accessed from the stedtrain.org website for your convenience and for the purpose of general guidance. You will also find lists of abstracts for previously funded Seed Grant proposals.

B. DISQUALIFICATION

Deadlines are enforced by the proposal collection software on our website. Official proposal time is based on the web server clock. Other time references will not be accepted.

• Incomplete or late proposals. Late proposal disqualification is automatic.
  
  
• Proposals not written and submitted by the proposed lead teacher using the form online.
  
  
• Proposals not authenticated and accepted by the principal before the deadline. Disqualification is automatic and determined by the server clock.
  
  
• Proposals that do not follow all the guidelines.
  

C. PROPOSAL ACCEPTANCE AND FULFILLMENT REQUIREMENTS

• By accepting and using STEDTRAIN Seed Grant funds, the lead teacher and the school principal agree to the following fulfillment requirements.
  
  
• Attend or have a representative attend (arriving and departing on time) the check presentation ceremony starting promptly at 9:00 A.M. and running until approximately noon. You are encouraged to attend the Social that begins 30 minutes before the ceremony at 8:30 A.M. This will be held typically the last Saturday of August unless that is Labor Day Weekend to avoid interfering with the beginning of the school year.
  
  
• Submit an online electronic midterm report between December 15 and January 20 to be RECEIVED no later than midnight January 20. These reports should include an evaluation of the grant’s contribution to the teacher’s professional development.
  
  
• Provide (electronically -Power Point, Video, and other approved media uploaded to the online site) in 3 minutes or less project goal, objectives, and learning outcomes plus bring a trifold depicting the project to be displayed at the Annual STEDTRAIN Conference held the last Saturday of April. The format of the Conference changed to reduce time required and enable the interaction between the teachers. Representative presentations will be selected from the project PowerPoint files for presenting to the attendees. The trifolds will be viewed during the scheduled breaks and after the Conference end.
  
  
• One purpose of the Awards Ceremony and the Conference is to facilitate information and idea exchanges and networking. Therefore, teachers shall be present for the entire events. Failure to appear without prior notification and absence approval can result in immediate forfeiture of grant award or a loss of points in the evaluation of a future grant application.
  
  
• Be responsive to communications from the the STEDTRAIN Point of Contact (POC), and other STEDTRAIN volunteers; including any and all classroom visits by STEDTRAIN volunteers to determine the Grant project – program status and progress.
  
  
• Provide the funding source STEDTRAIN to all inquiring parties regarding the project AND display the STEDTRAIN poster at the school site’s main entrance and if available, another poster within or just outside the classroom.
  
  
• Complete any and all STEDTRAIN Questionnaires.
  

Event	Date
Request for Proposals begins	February 1, 2025 at midnight
Deadline for proposals submission	April 1, 2025 by midnight
Deadline for principals to accept proposals	April 3, 2025 by midnight
Deadline to notify STEDTRAIN of problems	April 15, 2025 by midnight
Awards published and notices sent	On or about August 5, 2025
Deadline to accept awards	April 24, 2025
Deadline to verify award ceremony attendance	April 24, 2025
Award Ceremony	April 26, 2025
Midterm reports begin	December 15, 2025 at midnight
Midterm report deadline	January 20, 2026 by midnight
Final reports begin	July 25, 2026 at midnight
Final report deadline	August 20, 2026 by noon
Final presentations	August 22, 2026

Note: Midnight is defined as 11:59:59 PM.

Recipients (both teachers and principals) are required to notify the STEDTRAIN Committee Vice Chair and Chair, if the grant activities, for whatever reason, cannot be conducted as presented in the proposal. Grant funding may not be awarded nor redirected to another teacher or project without the STEDTRAIN Committee’s review and approval.

If the lead teacher for the proposed project is unable to execute and/or manage their approved project at the applying school and the same teacher has transferred to another area school, the grant may be transferred to the new school if both principals agree in writing and the written agreement is provided to the STEDTRAIN committee chair and vice chair no later than the due date for midterm reports. (This exception will be approved only if the grant's lead teacher changes schools within the counties eligible for STEDTRAIN Seed Grant awards.) In any other instance, materials remain at the school to which the teacher was originally assigned to teach and for which the grant award was originally intended under control of and annual reporting of the principal.

All unspent monies, in the latter instance, must be returned to STEDTRAIN on or before the due date for midterm reports directly from the teacher by official bank check, official school check, bank-drafted money order, or post office money order.

Failure to complete and/or implement the project and the STEDTRAIN Requirements for any other reasons will result in the violation of the understood conditions noted herein and result in the teacher forfeiting all funds submitted. Repayment must be received no later than 10 business days after the spring STEDTRAIN conference date and paid by official bank check, official school check, bank-drafted money order, or post office money order.

Any return of STEDTRAIN Grant funds does not require any IRS forms or tax ID to be provided to the school system. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, not an individual, company, or business.

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STEDTRAIN
P.O. Box 1964, Huntsville, AL 35807
Email Address: admin@stedtrain.org

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