$20 Million for PK-12 STEM Education

The National Science Foundation is awarding up to 18 multi-year grants for efforts that promote science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in PK–12 schools. The awards this year are expected to total $10 million to $20 million, with individual awards ranging from $400,000 to $2 million apiece. The deadline for proposals this year is Sept. 5.

The program — Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) — is aimed at increasing awareness of STEM occupations among PK–12 students, motivating them to pursue STEM careers and helping them develop "disciplinary-based knowledge and practices, or promote critical thinking, reasoning skills, or communication skills needed for entering STEM workforce sectors," according to NSF.

Proposed programs can be designed for engaging students within school, outside of school or a combination of the two. Partnerships between PK–12 schools, colleges, universities and other organizations are encouraged.

Three different types of grants will be awarded this year:

• Up to four two-year "Exploratory" grants of up to $400,000 each;

• Up to 12 three-year "Strategies" grants worth up to $1.2 million each; and

• Up to two three- to five-year "Successful Project Expansion and Dissemination" grants of up to $2 million each.

According to NSF: "The ITEST program supports projects that provide evidence for factors, instructional designs, and practices in formal and informal learning environments that broaden participation of students from underrepresented groups in STEM fields and related education and workforce domains. Projects that actively engage business and industry partners to better ensure that PreK-12 experiences foster the knowledge and skill-sets needed for emerging STEM occupations are strongly encouraged."

Complete details can be found at nsf.gov/pubs/2017/nsf17565/nsf17565.htm.

Acer Offers Full Classroom Set of TravelMate Laptops

Acer is giving away a classroom set of TravelMate B117 Windows 10 laptops valued at $8,100. The deadline for teachers to apply is a little more than two weeks away.

Applicants must provide a brief summary explaining why they deserve to win the laptops and can support their claims with images, social media posts or a video.

The grant program is open to all active K-12 educators in the United States, but only one entry per school is allowed. The deadline is June 30. Further details can be found at acer.com/ac/en/US/content/classroom-giveaway-2017.

Civil Rights Leaders Fear "Rubber Stamping" of State ESSA Plans Under Federal Review

The United States Department of Education (ED) has deemed 17 plans tied to the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) ready for peer review. Each plan is intended to lay out for parents and others how the given state intends to implement the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended by ESSA.

GE Donates 3D Printers to Hundreds of Schools, Colleges

More than 400 schools and eight higher education institutions across the United States will receive free 3D printers, metal printing machines and other supplies retailed at hundreds of thousands of dollars. GE is donating the supplies to help students build skills in computer-aided design and additive manufacturing.

Tennessee Reimburses Schools for Telepractice Services

Tennessee, like many states, has been facing a shortage of qualified clinicians, but recently amended legislation seeks to open the door for schools to use online therapy services.

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