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LSSI mini-grant applications available

Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative (LSSI) Mini-Grant Applications Available
Funding Period: Sept.1, 2013-June 30, 2015 (Rev. 11/19/13)

The Western UP Center for Science, Mathematics and Environmental Education received funding from Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative, Wege Foundation and Earth Force to continue the Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative through June 2015. The Western UP Center is pleased to make mini-grants available to individual LSSI school-community teams to enable schools to implement community-based learning opportunities for their students through Lake Superior stewardship projects. An LSSI school-community team consists of 2 or more teachers, plus administrators, students, and community partners working together to design and implement a stewardship project in their community.

The following LSSI school-community teams are eligible to apply, pending fulfillment of all requirements:
Pelkie Elementary, EB Holman, CJ Sullivan Elementary, Barkell Elementary, Washington Middle School, Hancock Middle School, Lake Linden Hubbell Middle School, Dollar Bay High School, Hancock High School, Houghton High School, and Jeffers High School.

LSSI teams must have spent all funds from the previous mini-grant (funding cycle 9/1/11 to 6/30/2013), demonstrated responsible grant management, and completed reporting and community event requirements before being considered for new mini-grant funds for this funding cycle.

New schools that are eligible to apply for LSSI mini-grant funds: Dollar Bay Elementary, Baraga High School and L�Anse Middle/High School.

LSSI can fund one school-community team per school building.

Mini-grant amounts available per school will be pro-rated based on number of students served by the project. LSSI teams can receive the maximum request amount if their grant application is submitted by March 30, 2014. Applications submitted after March 30, 2014, the amount available would be reduced, as there will be less time for project implementation before the grant period ends in June 2015.

Student Impacted per year. Maximum Mini-Grant Request
Serving fewer than 150 students Up to $3600
Serving between 150-250 students Up to $4200
Serving more than 250 students Up to $5000

In their mini-grant application for funding period of September 1, 2013 to June 30, 2015, school teams must demonstrate how they will meet the following requirements to be approved for funding.
� At least ONE teacher on the team have attended the Earth Force Service Learning Workshop offered at the Great Lakes Watershed Investigation Institute on June 24-26, 2013, or the full day on October 23, 2013. LSSI will cover sub costs for two teachers from each team to attend the October 23 workshop. Additional teachers are welcome to attend at no cost.
� At least ONE teacher from the team that attended the Earth Force Service Learning Workshop will attend the Earth Force Dinner and Dialogue on October 24, 2013 from 6-8pm.
� There is a school�community team consisting of least two teachers, school administrator and one community partner.
� The application indicates how many students will be impacted and demonstrates substantial participation of these students in project planning and implementation through the Earth Force process from the �Community Action and Problem Solving� curriculum
� The application demonstrates how service to the community is integrated into a learning experience for students.
� The application reflects a commitment to professional learning at the team level by providing 10 hours of professional learning community activities for at least three adults (community partners and educators in the school)
� The expenses in the budget are reasonable and relate to the activities in the project. NOTE: Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative, the funder of LSSI, does not support the funding of computers and computer equipment.
� The school submits a new Memo of Partnership for the project period indicating their financial support for the project. Each school is expected to provide a direct financial contribution to the project (i.e. transportation costs for field trips, sub pay to attend PD, etc.) and/or through in-kind contributions (such as release time for teachers to work on their project)
� The team will present the outcomes of their project to their school board and conduct one community event highlighting their project.
� Members of the team will continue to grow professionally and help build inter-school relationships by participating in at least one Dinner & Dialogue event or at least one teacher professional development activity sponsored by LSSI.

Proposals should address each component of the grant application. Grant applications will be reviewed by the LSSI Advisory Board. Applicants will have an opportunity to re-submit proposals as necessary to address any deficiencies identified in the review process.

Submission dates:
Friday, December 6, 2013
Friday, January 31, 2014
Friday, February 28, 2014
Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Please submit your completed application to: Shawn Oppliger at shawn@copperisd.org

School teams are encouraged to work with your team advisor for assistance in developing your proposal.
Joan Chadde at 906-487-3341 or jchadde@mtu.edu
Lloyd Wescoat at 906-487-3341 or lwescoat@mtu.edu

See full application (pdf attachment)

Click Here to View PDF